Dear Friends, That silhouette in my friend Nancy's window is Barley, a scruffy little terrier mix who came to the Washington, Co. Humane Society Shelter, PAWS & More (Iowa) all burned up, scarred, scabbed, itching, scratching, and not in a good way. Frankly, he was a mess! Nobody is really certain whether someone intentionally or unintentionally (?) spilled boiling water or oil all over him but they did... And he fought for his life even though many of us humans would consider giving up...but, not Barley! And what did he receive for his courage and faithfulness in the friendship of humans? He got Nancy, my friend from Iowa since the 1980's, both University of Iowa alums (well, me not quite-so-much) and now Barley is shredding, ripping, tearing, pulling out the stuffing from anything that was proud enough to even have stuffing (stuffN'no more!) and today he rode along Ole Miss with Nancy watching the water rise...Probably eyeing the sandbags, just aching to rip 'em open and chew 'em up! Iowa is facing floods again and we always feel "homesick" with a deep, inner longing to jump a plane out and shovel sand! So, Barley, you take good care of your mom and dad (editor of the Muscatine Journal!) and get yourself a life-jacket, just in case. P.S. Nancy is also an amazing artist and we hope to feature some of her art here soon! But for now, how about all you's sending good vibes to our buds on the Not-So-Lazy River. Thanks!