The Gentle Giant

Bartley isn't a dog you forget. He captured the hearts of volunteers almost 3 years ago when he made his first appearance on the foster roster. Bartley had been rescued from a shelter where his owners had taken him when they could not afford proper veterinary care. Bartley had been attacked by a larger dog and needed stitches to repair several wounds and gashes. A heavyweight himself at 40lbs, Bartley has an underbite reminiscent of the bulldog ancestry of the Boston Terrier.

Bartley has grown with BTRNC through the years- stronger, more confident, wiser. Yes, life has had its ups and downs but we've surfaced with a zest for life grown uniquely from adversity.

Bartley was adopted by a family in late 2003 where he spent 18 months. He was well loved and cherished until the family mistook symptoms of Cushing's Disease as serious and unforgivable behavioral problems. Bartley was returned to BTRNC for "re-homing." Although confused why he'd been separated from his family, Bartley arrived as sweet and genial as ever. There just isn't a mean bone in his body.

Despite an unusually bulky frame, a senior status at the age of 8, and a diagnosis of Cushing's Disease, finding Bartley a new adoptive family did not prove as difficult as expected. Bartley's sweet heart, gentle nature and adorable underbite didn't go unnoticed. In late 2005, a couple recognized the treasure that lay beneath those graying hairs and brought Bartley home.

And never have we been more pleased to say, they lived happily ever after.