On Thursday the 17th May 2007 I arrived at the flying club and Robert informed me that Barney had been put to sleep, I was not surprised but I was gutted, everyone at Ballymoney Model Flying Club knows Barney the the chairman Robert Wallaces' Tibetan terrier, he had not been great for quite a while but was managing ok, when I last saw him on Tuesday he was starting to get worse I think. I know that flying and dogs don't mix well but Barney was different, some 13 years ago whilst we were all staying over night at the club Barney got hit by a model piloted by Robert he was not hurt but never chased a model again. He was special to me as when Robert and his wife Jackie were going down South to a wedding he stayed with me for the week or so, now my good lady Madeliene was scared of dogs having been cornered by two as a teenager and she would not walk past a dog. Anyway Robert asked her if we would look after Barney for a week or so whilst they were away, Madeliene agreed but there was a little confusion as Mad thought Robert was talking about Paula his daughter who had stayed over with us before, and when she realised it was Barney it was too late to change her mind. Barney and Madeliene got on like a house on fire and had a great time, he showed her how affectionate and loyal a dog could be and because of that we then got a dog of our own.
At the club I used to call Barney the safety officer as when a new model was brought out Barney would walk up the taxiway look up and down watch the model take off then saunter back to the pits. When a four stroke was started he go behind and drink in the fumes he loved the smell of a four stroke. At the BBQs he would eat his fill then bury sausages all around the field but never on the strip.
I don't care who knows but I didn't sleep well last night and I have wet eyes now I'm going to miss the "wee man" like crazy.