Meet Eeyore: The best wrinkly face of rural Utah dogs
Meet Eeyore, the wrinkly-faced, gentle giant who’s a big cuddlebug. He overcame a severe health scare with the help of our support and resources, our amazing community, and his loving foster home. Learn more.
Some dogs walk into your life and quietly rearrange your heart. For us, that dog is Eeyore, our soulful, wrinkly, gentle giant whose story is as unforgettable as his puppy dog eyes.
Eeyore was rescued by us from a rural shelter out-of-state, on the verge of facing the end of his life journey. From the moment he arrived at BARC Rescue Center (AKA Castle Valley Animal Rescue), we knew Eeyore was special. His big, sad eyes, loose folds of skin, and slow, cautious demeanor instantly earned him his name (yes, like the gloomy donkey from Winnie the Pooh). But beneath that melancholy charm was a playful, affectionate, and resilient pup just waiting to feel safe. In Utah, we find that large dogs like Eeyore are often difficult to adopt out, and since large and working dog breeds are our specialty, Eeyore fit right in and became a key face of our rescue.
Who is Eeyore? A one-of-a-kind Utah dog
We think Eeyore might be part Shar Pei. His wrinkly face and expressive brows are a dead giveaway. But his personality is all his own. He’s a large, lean, and athletic boy with a surprisingly soft and cuddly side. Eeyore does wonderfully with children, loves other dogs, and has a goofy streak that keeps us laughing.
Despite his strong frame, he’s never too bold or pushy. He’s a loverboy through and through, gentle on leash, affectionate with volunteers, and always ready for a game of tug or a belly rub. Every time someone meets him, it’s the same reaction: “Awwww!” And honestly? Same.
Eeyore has become one of the most beloved rural Utah dogs we’ve had the privilege of helping, not just because of his looks, but because of how far he’s come. His story wasn’t always positive.
When things went wrong: Eeyore’s health scare
When Eeyore first arrived, like so many dogs in rescue, he was deeply stressed. He had a nervous tummy, high anxiety, and started rapidly losing weight. Eeyore developed something called Happy Tail Syndrome: a condition where dogs can cause damage to their tails with excessive wagging and striking of surfaces. We knew something wasn’t right. We tried everything recommended to us, from different foods to increased one-on-one time and digestive treatments. After our efforts didn’t work, and Eeyore’s weight continued to drop and anxiety wounds didn’t heal, we knew we had to get him to see our vet immediately.
The vet visit revealed what we feared: Eeyore had a dangerously high white blood cell count, signaling a severe infection that came on rapidly. His body was working overtime, and without treatment, things could have gotten much worse.
“Signs like sudden weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, or loss of appetite are red flags for infection or internal issues in dogs. If your dog shows similar symptoms, it’s essential to consult a veterinarian right away, especially for large breeds or dogs who’ve recently experienced a major transition like a move or adoption.”
Thankfully, our community rallied behind us. Donations poured in. Shares were made. And thanks to your support, we got Eeyore the care he desperately needed. Then, his story took a turn for the better.
Healing in a home: Eeyore’s foster journey
The turning point in Eeyore’s story? A warm, loving foster home.
Once Eeyore was out of our rescue in Price and into the care of a compassionate foster family, everything changed. With a quiet environment, consistent meals, proper meds, and, most importantly, unconditional love, Eeyore began to thrive.
His foster parents were attentive and gentle. Their kids adored him. He had playmates, cuddles, naps in the sun, and soft beds to rest his healing body. Slowly, Eeyore gained back his strength and his weight. His energy returned. So did his tail wags, his goofy side, and that spark in his big brown eyes.
In short? He became the strong, sweet, and silly boy we knew he was all along. Our efforts that we put into his care, finding him a foster, and supporting his amazing foster family, however we could, paid off, and we couldn’t be happier. Eeyore is still up for adoption, and while we are saddened that he hasn’t found his perfect family, we enjoy seeing him be himself again. His story was an emotional roller coaster for us, and we are amazed at the progress he has made. This is why we do what we do.
Utah’s rescue network is often limited in space, staff, and funding, but it’s all worth it to save the lives of those like Eeyore.
Eeyore before and after his healing journey. He was fragile, thin, and weak. Now, he’s strong, lean, and happy.
The hidden rollercoaster of rescue life for Utah dogs
Dogs in rescue go through a lot emotionally and physically. Some come from unstable environments. Some have been neglected, abused, bounced around, or lived outdoors with little structure or care as strays. This is the unfortunate reality of rescue.
At BARC Rescue Center, we’re rural Utah’s dog rescue because we do our best to make every dog feel safe. We offer fear-free handling, enrichment play, socialization, quality food, and vet visits when needed. But the truth is, a foster home offers something a facility simply can’t: a real-life environment to decompress, heal, and prepare for adoption.
When Utah’s rescue dogs have foster families, they bounce back faster. They’re happier, more relaxed, and often have an easier time finding forever homes. Eeyore is living proof. That’s why fostering is so important, and why we always emphasize the benefits of fostering.
What is fostering? A foster is a temporary home for a rescue dog while they await adoption. A foster home offers comfort, love, care, and preparation to find a forever home in a much less stressful environment than a facility. This is the perfect opportunity for someone who wants to add some liveliness into their lives without the permanent financial commitment of a dog, and the perfect opportunity to make a REAL difference in a dog’s life. Fosters can be anywhere in Price, Utah, the surrounding areas, or even across the state. What matters to us is that our dogs get the love they deserve before finding their forever homes. Learn more about fostering today.
Rescue work can be some of the most heartbreaking work with new challenges unfolding each day. But one thing’s for sure, there’s nothing we’d rather be doing.
Fostering vs. Adopting: Which one is right for you?
Not everyone is ready to adopt—but fostering? That might be your superpower. Click below to see the difference:
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Adopting is making a pup a permanent part of your family. It’s paying an adoption fee that covers vaccinations and fixing, and bringing them into your home with the responsibility of properly introducing them to their new environment, adjustment, training, and a full life of love and care. It’s an incredible commitment—and also the happiest ending a rescue dog could ask for.
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Fostering means opening your home temporarily to a dog in need. We cover vet care, provide some supplies, and support you the whole way. You help them rest, recover, and show off their personality so they can find a forever home. You’d be feeding them, socializing them, maybe even working on training, but the full, permanent responsibility and commitment isn’t there. It helps rescue dogs be as happy as possible while in rescue.
Both are vital. Both change lives. And both allow us to continue our mission of saving Utah dogs in need.
💛 Want to learn more about fostering or adopting? Click here to explore both options with BARC Rescue Center.
Why we do what we do, and why it’s worth it
The work of rescue is exhausting. It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s nonstop.
But then you meet dogs like Eeyore.
You watch them rise from heartbreak and illness to joy and health. You see the moment their eyes brighten, their tail wags, and their life begins again. And you remember: This is what it’s all about.
From all of us at BARC Rescue Center, thank you for being part of Eeyore’s journey and the journeys of so many other rural, at-risk Utah dogs. Your shares, your donations, your time, your homes… it all adds up to something powerful.
🐾 Want to meet more inspiring pups and join our mission? Visit our rescue center page here.
