In the close knit community of Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County, a couple’s dedication and love for dogs led to the amazing rescue of Barley, a rather shy and skittish dog who had escaped from his owners into the Upper Peninsula wilderness. After 14 months, Barley was rescued and is now safe and sound.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Deanna and Denny Suggitt were Barley’s heroes.
Over a year ago, Barley, a shepherd/terrier mix, had been adopted by a young couple who only had the dog for six months before he was lost. They had been on a camping trip at Tahquamenon Falls State Park Rivermouth Campgrounds in May 2023 when Barley ran away.
Barley’s owners didn’t stop searching for him. The dog had been spotted several times at people’s homes and campgrounds, and multiple times the couple returned, hoping to find their dog, but sadly were unsuccessful each time. They finally relinquished ownership of Barley because of the expenses incurred trying to find him plus the emotional toll it had taken on the couple.
Barley’s past had not been one of compassion and love. As a puppy, he had been kept in a boarding situation in Virginia and eventually ended up in Michigan where he was adopted. Barley, who was about a year old at the time, preferred to sleep and eat in his wire kennel.
Weeks after Barley had been missing, Deanna and Denny had been involved moving humane traps whenever a report came in about the dog’s appearance. There were flyers all over the area and Facebook posts about the dog’s disappearance, and when the owners stated they had to relinquish ownership of the dog, Deanna’s desire to save Barley grew stronger.
By July 2023, Barley had been sighted about 45 miles from where he had disappeared. Deanna decided to capitalize on the dog’s preferred location and twice a day, she would drive to the 15 miles away location and feed him.
My wife was boiling liver and hot dogs every morning. Then we put it on a bed of Pedigree hard dog food every morning. Then every afternoon, she would take him out Pedigree hard food and put a half can of Pedigree canned stew or meat on top of it. So, he was getting fed twice a day since last August.
Barley would take the bowls of food and run off into the woods to eat, but over time he started feeling a bit more comfortable and would trust them a little more over time. Deanna’s heart broke when she used to see the dog peeking out through the bushes, too afraid to approach anyone.
As Barley’s feeding area became known around the community, a neighbor kindly erected a tarp and straw filled spot as the cold weather rolled in. As Barley would visit the homes in the area, neighbors would speak softly to him to build up his confidence while informing Deanna of his location whenever he was spotted.
There was always the fear, however that Barley would get hit by a car while traveling across the roads or what if a hunter mistook him for a wolf? Everyone in the area knew about Barley, but it was always Deanna and her husband who refused to give up.
Seven months later, Sharon Hansen, a dog trapper from Macomb County volunteered to help out. Now it was nearly a year that the dog had been on his own, but he had become familiar with Deanna feeding him every day, and trust had been developing.
Deanna was thrilled as Barley would get closer and closer, and his enthusiasm whenever he saw Deanna and watching his entire body just wiggle with happiness, filled her heart with joy.
Along with Hansen, two weeks later, Barley was finally trapped. It was July 25 – 14 months from when he bolted. And Barley weighed 30 pounds when finally captured – more than he weighed when he first was lost.
Barley was brought to Chippewa County Animal Control:
We have some amazing news! After a year of feeding and building trust, Deanna Suggitt and Sharon, a professional dog trapper, were able to catch Barley, the dog who was lost at Tahquemenon!!
Deanna, you are our hero and never once gave up on Barley; through rain, sleet, snow or hail, day after day you fed him knowing one day he’d finally be safe!
Yes, Barley was safe and healthy:
We would to say thank you to Chippewa County Animal Shelter and Stephanie Hoholik Eagle for their fantastic care of Barley before he came home. Holly Dawson Henderson and staff made sure he was secure & safe and Stephanie made him able to start off fresh in his new home.
On Monday, Aug. 5, the Suggitts brought Barley home. They are prepared to provide the patience and love this boy needs. Soon he will know he’s loved.
Many thanks to this awesome couple and everyone involved in Barley’s rescue…one dog at a time.
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