Barry's Trio of Dogs - Paul Springthorpe

[Paul]

BARRY HONOURS HIS THREE DOGS


At the time of writing, I have never met Barry Leibie but I would dearly like the privilege. There have been few people in my life to which I could clearly open up and say without reservation, "Jeez, I really like you".

Barry like many others responded to my request for stories on Guide, Therapy and Hearing Dogs. Phoning me from the suburb of Windsor Gardens he tempted me with a short story of his first dog, but because my phone was running hot I had to put him off for nearly two weeks. The situation was becoming hopeless, so many wanted to tell me of their canine friends time was at a premium, so I decided to try my hand at telephone interviews.

I remembered Barry's phone call as being warm and friendly and I'd written a couple of complimentary notes at the side of his name. It was a Sunday and I had completed the work set for myself but Barry's name kept flashing out of my "TO DO" sheet. "Ah! to hell with it, lets give him a ring and see if I can get it over the phone" I thought.

Barry's warm friendly voice came over the phone re-enforcing my original impression of him, it was a sort of, "Lets get a couple of beers and have a yarn" type of voice which made me relaxed and comfortable. With the true courtesy of a gentleman from the country, Barry acceded to my request for a telephone interview and we began part one of the interview immediately.

Barry is a good story teller and needed little prompting from me for information. He had partial vision until aged ten, and then at twelve years of age lost his sight totally but with the eternal hope of the very young, always believed at the time that the loss of his vision was temporary and would never last.

Undaunted his Methodist family received assistance from the Church of England Braille Society to have a blind officer of the Salvation Army teach him Braille. Now if you think that's confusing, the Church of England Braille Society, worried about Barry's normal education, organized him to attend a Catholic school. Barry remembers Sister Mathias with a lot of affection and it is with a great deal of credit, that the religious denominations transcended their differences, simply, for the welfare of a child.

Barry experienced no difficulties with children being cruel about his disability but strangely, his mother did. Barry's mother worked on the Mothers Club of the local school but was plagued with comments about Barry attending a Catholic school. The short brief upshot was that Barry's Mum transferred her more than valuable services to the Catholic school.

As a boy Barry developed a liking for music and his parents invested in a second hand piano in the hope that it would develop his interest. He got to the stage when he could knock a tune out of the piano but knew he would never master it. One day travelling in his father’s car and listening to the radio he heard a piece being played by the Shadows and decided from that day on; the guitar would be his instrument.

Learning how to play the guitar stood Barry in good stead, on leaving school he found work in a handicraft shop which had a music section and finally they were selling musical instruments. In addition to his normal work Barry became so adept he was able to teach the Guitar to others.

In 1966 Barry's brother offered to take him to a Lions Club Meeting to listen to a blind person talk about his guide dog. Barry was a little skeptical. Having been brought up with dogs Barry reckoned a guy wouldn't be the full quid if he allowed a dog to help him to cross a road but he was finally convinced to attend the meeting.

Attending that meeting was probably one of the better decisions in Barry's life. He was fascinated with the speaker and had a long talk with him after the meeting about the dog and its capabilities. So intrigued was he, that by the time he left the meeting he had made the decision to have a dog of his own.

So it was that in January 1967 Barry found himself in Melbourne to become acquainted with his dog and to receive his training. Monday, Tuesday and most of Wednesday Barry and others on the course did theoretical training and they were to be introduced to their dogs on Wednesday afternoon.

They were subjected to disappointment when they were told that the dogs had not had their final vetinary check and they would have to wait until the next day. The trainer did tell them the breed and name of their dog though.

The next day Barry was introduced to Ricky, a labrador/kelpie who was to become his eyes, trusted friend and constant companion for the next 10 years. With the instructors words "Right, the dogs are trained but you're not," trainees and dogs were put through a comprehensive training program. Barry admits that initially he was in awe of Ricky and the first week was very hard and strange for him. He just couldn't seem to grasp what his dog Ricky was capable of and that he was actually placing his trust and his life in a dog's care.

When they both returned to Kadina, Barry's father guided Barry and Ricky to Barry's grandmother's home, he did that twice over two successive weekends. The third time Barry set out with Ricky to visit Granny on his own and after knocking on the door his Grandmother said, "Hello Barry, where's your Dad?" She couldn't believe that the dog had aided Barry across the town. This may be a simple story but in reality, Barry had won his independence.

Barry used to take Ricky to work with him and became quite a favourite with the customers. Often Ricky would appear from behind the counter to greet a voice he thought he knew only to find someone different there and giving them a shock. The kelpie in him made Ricky a very active dog so often during the working day Barry would have to slip out to allow his dog to work off some energy.

Barry used to go home for lunch but two or three times a week he had to call in at the deli on the way home to pick up a loaf of bread. One particular day he heard a young girl in the shop with her mother, after being served with his bread Barry was leaving through the shop and he heard the little girl burst into tears. The next time Barry went into the shop the sales assistant asked Barry if he had heard a little girl crying as he left. When Barry replied he had, the assistant told him she would tell him what had happened providing he wasn't cross with Ricky.

It seems that prior to Barry's arrival the little girls mother had purchased a sausage roll for her and as Ricky was guiding Barry from the shop the girl had offered her sausage roll to Ricky in a teasing action. As quick as a flash Ricky bit off the top of the sausage roll without even interrupting his pace. I can imagine Ricky's canine grin as he thought to himself, "Zorro strikes again".

[Paul]

continuation.....

Barry used to play in a local band on Saturday nights and often would not return home until the early hours of Sunday morning. Barry's Dad, knowing that his son would have no need for Ricky would often take him for a drive in his car. The procedure was always the same, dad would back the car down the drive and then call for Ricky to join him and off they would go. One Saturday when Ricky was in his thirteenth year he went racing out to the car and fell to the ground.

When Barry returned home in the early hours of Sunday morning, the mate who had driven him said, "There's a light on in the house". Barry thought there may have been something wrong with his Dad but found that his trusted friend Ricky had suffered a stroke. Fortunately Barry's dad had located a vet who diagnosed Ricky's collapse as a stroke and was told to take him home and keep him quiet.

In those early days when a Guide Dog needed to be replaced the old dog was retired to another home away from his master, and after contacting the society Barry was reminded of the rule.

Barry's love for Ricky was too much for him to cast off such an old friend in his twilight years, and he decided that he had sufficient family and friends to help him around until such time Ricky passed away. Fortunately it didn't have to come to that, a few weeks later he received a call from the society saying that in special cases some people had been allowed to keep their old dog whilst being supplied with another. Barry's case had been reviewed and he could go to Melbourne to be trained for another dog. When he was to return home he would have to see how the new dog went with Ricky and if there was any conflict he would have to make the decision on which dog to keep.

After meeting and training with his new dog Houston in Melbourne Barry returned home with his heart in his mouth. How was Ricky going to react to the newcomer, would everything be alright or would they fight?

Leaving Houston in the garden he went into his home and renewed is acquaintance with Ricky then attaching him to a leash led him into the garden to meet Houston. Barry put his hands down to feel the dogs and was relieved to find they had their noses together and their tails were wagging wildly.

Ricky and Houston became good mates but Barry gives all the credit for this to Houston. The new dog recognised Ricky as the top dog, leader of the pack or whatever else you want to call it and accepted his place in the family as a lower pack member. Ricky got everything first, the first grooming, the first food probably even the first pat of the day. Ricky, his position secure in retirement, relinquished his work to Houston, but not without checking on him twice a day.

When Barry left for work each morning with Houston, Ricky would walk them to the gate leaning over Houston's shoulder with as much to say, "Now just behave yourself and make sure you do the right thing". And Ricky was always waiting at the gate for them when they returned home at night, just to be sure that they both arrived home safely.

Ricky and Houston became great friends and life carried on much the same as usual except that Ricky's retirement. Barry's Dad used to pack the two dogs and Barry in the car on a Saturday or Sunday morning and run them down to the beach at Wallaroo. The beach is long and sandy with a very gentle slope making it ideal for children to safely play in the water.

Barry recalls Ricky's first trip to the beach. When he was let out of the car the dog sat and looked at the water with amazement obviously never having seen the sea before. It took a lot of encouragement from Barry to get Ricky even to put his paws in the water but in the end he was romping and snapping at the ripples as they came in on a calm sea. In the end he was walking, then running and jumping over the small waves, reveling in the newly discovered element.

Houston was a large powerful dog but Barry never ceased to be amazed at his concerned and gentle character. Houston always waited until the elderly Ricky had got into the car before climbing in himself. Barry and his Dad in the front, the two dogs sitting on their seats in the back, Kadina residents would often grin to themselves as the Leibie family had their day out.

In 1980 Barry decided to strike out on his own and made the move to Adelaide. This was a very big move not only for Barry but for Houston as well. The traffic in Adelaide is a far cry from the sleepy town of Kadina. Ricky stayed at Kadina with Barry's Dad where he was loved and well cared for.

Barry found a job and settled down to his independent existence somewhat surprised at how well he was coping for himself. Becoming more adventurous he spoke to the Guide Dog Association and told them he would like to be able to get into the city from the suburb in which he was living. With the association's support, he was shown where the local bus stop was, where to cross the road in the city to find the return bus stop and retrace his steps back home.
This was repeated a few times until Barry was confident enough to try the trip on his own.

It was a hot summer Friday night when Barry ventured on his solo trip to the city. Boarding the bus he told the driver what number bus stop he wanted to alight at and settled back to enjoy the ride. After a period of time had elapsed Barry began to feel a bit uneasy, sure that they should have arrived at their destination by now. He called to the driver who apologised for forgetting to remind him and he was now several stops from where he should have been.

Barry and Houston stood on the pavement listening to the sound of the bus engine moving off into the distance. Barry knew he was lost but he could feel the, "Where the devil are we?" concern transmitted from Houston.

Barry had been dropped off in Victoria Square which was not too far from where he wanted to be but that square boasted eight major intersections. Barry listened for footsteps of approaching pedestrians and when they were close enough called out for help in directions. Much to the shame of Adelaide's population, not one person stopped to help.

Poor old Houston was doing his best in unfamiliar territory and Barry was beginning to get quite worried. Then he heard the tapping of ladies shoes approaching him and once again called out for directions. The lady stopped to help him.

Barry's home town of Kadina was located near Point Pierce Aboriginal Community and many of the residents used to be customers at the music shop that Barry worked in. Through the inflection of her accent and the words she used Barry identified the lady that had stopped to assist him as being of Aboriginal decent. Not only did this lady guide him safely back to the bus stop required, but waited with him through three passing busses until she could see him on the right one. Barry's final comment to me on this episode was, "I don't know who the lady was, but I hope something really nice happens to her."

With the help and encouragement of friends and family Barry really became proficient in looking after himself. He got into the habit of asking visitors if the cleaning was ok and if it was not, he would show them how he had done it and they would suggest a different way.

Only one thing marred this period of his life as he was coming to terms with living in Adelaide. Ricky who had retired in the home of Barry's Dad, went out for his morning toilet and didn't return. He was found in a collapsed state near the car. The vet was called but Ricky had suffered yet another stroke and quietly slipped from life in the arms of Barry's father. Ricky was sixteen and a half years old.

All then went well until Houston turned eight at was at the vets for his six monthly check up and a small cataract was found on one of his eyes. A year later it had the cataract had developed further and the Guide Dog Association advised Barry only to work with Houston during the day. Twelve months more passed when a further cataract was discovered on Houstons other eye and the decision was made to retire him. Houston moved to Kadina to spend his retirement years with Barry's dad.

July 1986 found Barry back at Kew meeting his third dog Archie and wondered what the hell he'd struck. Houston had been so gentle and passive, now Barry was confronted by a sixteen month old Golden Labrador who loved to play. Archie was young for a guide dog, he'd started his training at only ten months of age and by the time he was paired with Barry he was ready to go.

Barry has a remarkable memory for dates and numbers, so much so he was able to give me the numbers of each of his dogs. Ricky was #196, Houston #600, and Archie #1060. The numbers go to show what a magnificent job the Guide Dog Association do in turning out the 'eyes' for the sight impaired and blind of this country.

After once again training with Archie and getting to know him, Barry once more returned to Adelaide.

continued....

[Paul]

continued....

You would have thought that Barry had more than his fair share of bad luck when he lost his sight, but in October 1988 tragedy struck again when he suffered a stroke. For nearly six weeks he was in hospital and then transferred to Melrose House. The stroke had affected Barry's balance and short term memory. At the time it was considered he was unable to care for himself and the home that caters specifically for the blind was the only option.

When Barry had recovered sufficiently to realize what had happened to him his first concern was for Archie. The Guide Dog Association had fostered Archie out but on Barry's doctors recommendation he was reunited with Archie at Melrose House. For Barry that was probably the best thing to happen and I believe the one event that set him back on the road to recovery.

Things went alright for a while, then one day Barry received a visit from a councilor connected with the Guide Dogs Association. They were rightly concerned that Archie was receiving no exercise and he was still a young dog capable of being transferred to a new user.

To say that Barry was upset would be an understatement; here was a threat to take away his constant friend and companion. So upset was he that he didn't join the rest of the residents for lunch that day. Barry sat in his room worried of what the future would bring when a knock came at his door and a lady that worked in the kitchen of the home asked if she could come in.

The lady asked what the problem was and Barry told her that if Archie couldn't get exercise he was going to be taken away from him. When the lady replied with, "Is that the only reason?" Barry admits to becoming very rude to his visitor.

"You stupid woman, it is the reason" he shouted back at her.

Unruffled, his visitor left him and returned a short time later. After clearing it with the Guide Dogs Association, she had agreed to walk Archie for half hour each morning before she started work and then for a further half hour after she had finished.

Barry couldn't believe that someone would be so dedicated as to take on such a task and wondered often how long it would continue for. He was frightened that this new friend would tire of taking Archie for a walk and that in the end he would lose Archie. Not only did the walks continue but one day the lady said, "Look Barry, why don't you come with us and we'll walk Archie together?" That was the day Barry took the road back to independence.

This great lady continued with her self-imposed task and formed a strong friendship with Barry. She lived near an oval and together with her husband, often collected Barry and Archie so the dog could enjoy a long run and a sniff-around. Afterwards he was invited back to their home for tea before being taken back to the home.

One day he was out on his walk when the counselor from the Guide Dogs Association came up behind him, "Barry! I've been watching you walk, I think it's time we got you back working again" she said.

A few days later Barry was advised he would be going to Kew for long cane training which would help him with his balance. Ever the suspicious one when it came to his beloved dog, "What about Archie?" asked Barry.

It was explained that Archie didn't need to go and that there were people who would look after him while he was away. Barry virtually accused the councilor of sending him to Kew so that they could take Archie away from him. He was assured that wasn't the case and Archie would be waiting for him on the day he returned.

As honest as always, Barry told me he went to Kew determined that he would not be successful with the long cane, no one was going to separate him from his beloved Archie.

As determined as Barry was not to be successful with the long cane he found his instructor Rebbeca to be a lovely person and found himself really trying. A couple of Adelaide school teachers fostered Archie and made it a point to ring Barry every Friday night to give him a progress report and assure him all was well.

Barry while attempting to master the cane had a problem with his balance and veered the left when walking. One day Rebecca took him to a crossing and warning him of his veering problem instructed him to cross the road and that the traffic would be coming from his left. When crossing he discovered to his horror that traffic was coming from his right and Rebecca was yelling at him to stop where he was. Barry's veering walk had taken him into the middle of a busy intersection.

Later that day he was asked to attend a meeting in the office where he was told there was some bad news and some good news. The bad news was that he was going home and wouldn't be taking the long cane with him. The good news was that John Gosling, the head trainer, wanted to see Barry walk with a dog.

Barry was taken to an area and instructed to walk around the block continually turning left. Barry and the dog set off negotiating the first two turns without a problem. The third turn was a problem because the foot path turned left but there was a nature strip running along side it, so the dog had to pass the footpath before indicating he had arrived at a road crossing.

When Barry turned toward the dog indicating he wanted to go left, the dog had to do an about turn to lead him back to the path and then a right turn. During this exercise Barry accidentally kicked the dogs leg and he stopped. All sorts of things rushed through his mind, not he least was that he'd blown his chances and he was going to lose Archie. The trainer called for Barry to keep going and complete the exercise.

It was with some trepidation that Barry attended a meeting in the office a short time later. He felt he had blown his chances of keeping Archie and he was feeling very down and miserable. His misery turned to joy when John Gosling told him that he was going home and that he was recalling Archie for retraining.

Today Barry and Archie are living in their own home once again totally independent of outside help. Much of the credit for Barry's recovery would have to go to the Guide Dogs Association and those gracious people who assisted him during a very trying time. However, I have a sneaking belief that without the love and company of Archie, Barry's recovery would have taken a lot longer.

©Paul Springthorpe, Media Production Services. Extracted from ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ 1990. All rights reserved.

[Willow]

I'm slowly working my way through these stories of yours - they're great, I was quite anxious for Barry each time he had an apparant set-back. Next time I see some-one around here with a guide -dog (Windsor Gdns is the next suburb) I'll wonder if its him.