Barney the Cemetery Cat is Buried After Providing Comfort to Mourners For 20 years
The sweet and adorable cat Barney was a kitty of extraordinary empathetic ability. God has given him the soothing power to heal the hearts of sad and heart broken people around. His residence was St. Sampson’s Parish Church cemetery, located on the island of Guernsey off the coast of England. When his owners moved, Barney just kept coming back to the cemetery. He loved it so much, that they built a little home for him there. Barney the ginger tabby spent his days walking the grounds of a church burial site, consoling those visiting their loved one’s graves. But on Friday, the 20-year-old moggy died of old age. It was a big shock for his loved ones.
Barney was known for being very sensitive to people’s needs.
His death has brought grief and sadness in the local community as people paid tribute to this much-loved cat. Grounds keeper Alan Curzon said he has now been laid to rest at the place where he spent his entire life lighting the hearts of many people who are going through the extreme loss.
He loved to help people feel better in their darker moments.
Alan, the cemetery sexton who has taken the responsibility to look after Barney since 1996, said everyone was devastated to hear the bad news of his death. He said: “When relatives and friends have suffered the awful loss of someone close to them and go to visit a cemetery they are not in best frame of mind but Barney was always there to cheer them up. For those who entered the cemetery with a heavy heart, he lightened up the experience for them. When people walked through the gates, he often came up to them and brushed against them.”
He owns a simple home at the cemetery and was contented with his life.
“There was not a bad bone in his body. We are putting a plaque on the wall and a bench and have found a little space for him in the cemetery where he is buried as well.”
Look Barney is all ready for Christmas!
Barney received loads of love and attention by the people who knew him and people showed their affection by presenting gifts to Barney during Christmas time. His support to all those that visited the cemetery is enough to bring tears your eyes. He proved to be a true friend to all, he had ability to sooth the hearts of dejected people. He was a true angel. Our sympathies are with this sweet soul who is no more in our lives. Rest in peace!
When he died, the whole town mourned his loss.
What a sweet baby now.. I’m sure he got his wings <3
I’m glad he helped many people he still be there no matter what that’s his home rip sweet kitty tell my kittys hi for me
so sweet. such a great cat. such great people who took care of him. he has his wings
What a loving and sensitive cat. He was there for the people who needed consolation. He’s is in heaven and happy.
Thats one of the sweetest things ive heard RIP sweet Barney!
Barney died in March 2016, guys – try to keep up!
I was wondering about that discrepancy, myself. 1996 plus 20 yrs = 2016.
Alan started looking after him in 1996. It doesn’t say Barney was born in 1996.
Keep up?? It says Alan started looking after Barney in 1996.
Cats are loving. Good job sweetie for all those years. Now, your reward in Rainbow Bridge.
Sweet Barney! You were a wonderful kitty. I know you have your ‘wings’ in Heaven.
Sweet Barney! You were a wonderful kitty. I know you have your ‘wings’ in Heaven.
God didnt give him soothing power!!
Why bring mythology into this?
What century are you in.
This is such a heartwarming story. It brought tears to my eyes. Sending love to Barney in heaven and to everyone who knew him. Hugs from Canada
What a wonderful cat! God Bless you Barney! RIP sweet boy!
What a wonderful cat! God Bless you sweet Barney! RIP Sweet Boy!
I will always believe this, animals are angels sent from heaven. Barney truly was and still is an angel. Blessings Barney.
rest in peace, Barney…
Sweet Barney, your work is done and you have blessed countless mourners. Rest in peace, sweet angel boy.
It should have been noted that this happened 2 years ago. However, it is a story of deep love between animal and humans and it worth retelling. Bless Barney and all loving cats and those who care for them.
What a sweet story! 💙Yes animals are Angels sent from above and Barney was an extraordinary example of that very thing! Blessings to him and all who adored him! 💙💙💙
Barney, you were such an incredible kitty with so much heart! You had such a big heart in helping mourners feel better with your presence at a time that was so dark for them. You definitely earned your angel wings and may you know so much happiness and peace at the Rainbow Bridge. You have earned it time and time again with your kindness.
What a sad, sad day!😢😢😢😢im sure he comforted many. Angel wings well deserved!😢😢😢😢
I agree with Richard’s skeptical gloss insofar as Barney, but there are obnoxiously rude skeptics among us. Richard is clearly one, and an embarrassment to those of us, who aren’t so insufferably infantile as to launch a trout-in-a-thimble attack on believers about a cat who, regardless of how or why or if even so, consoled those grieving.
And of course, Richard has no proof whatsoever that God or whatever didn’t “give” Barney “soothing power” — most skeptics try to avoid such blatantly obvious pitfalls. And Richard’s “what century are you in” swipe is nothing more than a rather amateurish lob of the genetic fallacy, attacking the source and history of what is claimed, rather than focusing upon it. With rationally challenged skeptics like Richard, the rest of us are quite vulnerable. PS Bless Barney!
I lived in Guernsey for 5 years (I lived in St. Martin) and it is so good that so many good people recognized the value of this simple and yet extraordinary feline creature. Thanks also the gentleman who has taken care that Barney may not be forgotten.
How can I share this? Animals are a gift to humans to help them through good and bad times and to share life with.
Uh Karen, if you look up this story in other sites, it says he died in March of 2016… So…