Barkley the dog was loved by his neighbours

HE was a gifted footballer, loved nothing more than pondering the meaning of life with passers by, and was also partial to a tummy rub and a pat on the head.

And so loved was Barkley, dubbed the village dog of Ryland Road, Kentish Town, that when he died a fortnight ago unexpectedly, an impromptu shrine sprung up on a sunny corner he once called his own.

In a story reminiscent of the tale of Edinburgh’s much-loved Greyfriars Bobby, the good people of Ryland Road say Barkley was the friendliest four-legged friend anyone could have encountered.

Barkley’s main human was Sean Canavan, who has lived in the street for 25 years.

Sean, who has lost his sight, was given Barkley, a Labrador-Staff cross, a decade ago from the charity All Dogs Matter as a companion.

Little did the neighbourhood know that they’d soon all be making a new friend Sean told the New Journal: “He was one of a kind. He loved people back. He was a local hero.”

Two weeks ago, Barkley was unwell and a vet discovered he had a serious heart condition.

He passed away days later.

People living Ryland Road, Kentish Town, have created a shrine for Sean Canavan’s dog

Now the children of Ryland Road have created a special shrine to commemorate the passing of a dog that made a difference – and to offer Sean some solace.

“I am so lonely without him,” Sean said.

“I keep expecting to hear him walking about the house. He was such a big part of my life. It has been hard when people who haven’t seen him for a day or two ask me where he has gone.”

Barkley had a routine of sitting on the corner waiting for Paul, Sean’s carer to arrive. But when Paul died suddenly last year, Barkley went into mourning.

“Barkley still sat patiently, hoping he’d come round the corner,” said Sean.

Liz de Keller and Chris Cook recall a dog who brightened up the lives of many.

“Barkley was the village dog,” said Liz.

“He would see you coming and his tail would go doph, doph, doph with excitement. He wanted a pat and a cuddle.

“He was great at football ­– he wouldn’t let you get the ball off him – and he loved children. He was very gentle. He loved this sunny corner. He would lie here and wait for the sun to come round. Sean was devoted to him and he was devoted to Sean.”

Sophie Hedworth, who has lived in the street since 1986, said: “He’d stop you getting to work on time. He lived an interesting life, saying hello to anyone who walked by. He would take himself off to the park and he was always being brought back home by concerned well-wishers. He had a tag so people would walk him back home.”