Mornings with Barney: The True Story of an Extraordinary Beagle

by Dick Wolfsie

I enrolled Barney in obedience school. If I had known how being ‘bad’ would be part of his charm and would add to his success on camera, I might have given this more thought. I was impressed with the legendary school’s sales pitch, including their money-back guarantee. But when I said my dog was a beagle, there was dead silence on her end of the phone . . . then a good-natured laugh. ‘I was just kidding about the guarantee.

Television reporter Dick Wolfsie was walking out his front door on the way to the studio one wintry morning when he found a shivering beagle pup on his front steps. Dick placed the stray inside the house and was off to work. When he returned four hours later, his wife and young son were cleaning up what remained of the shredded couch, the living room curtains, and his wife’s favorite high heels. The family would soon demand that Dick either take the dog to work with him each day or find the troublemaker a minimum security facility. So, off to the station they went. And ultimately Barney nosed his way in front of the camera with Dick. Soon the dynamic duo would make TV history. For ten years—more than 2,500 morning news shows—fans watched the renegade pooch chew, howl, and dig his way through every one of Dick’s reports. But he also burrowed his way into everybody’s heart, becoming a beloved media star.

Mornings with Barney is a hoot from start to finish, but more than this, it is the moving story of a mischievous pooch who touched and brightened the lives of an entire community.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs, Memoir, Ebooks

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

For the past 25 years on WISH-TV’s Daybreak, Dick Wolfsie has lent his unique brand of wit and humor to the screen. His video essays and personal stories are unique to Indiana television. Many have been syndicated nationally.

After 30 years in Indianapolis, this former high school and college English teacher has netted over 10,000 hours of television. Wolfsie’s work in the media has earned him over a dozen awards including a regional Emmy for best host, a national ACE award and a Casper Award for five years as host and producer of AM Indiana, a talk show broadcast from Union Station

Dick is the author of 12 books, including Mornings with Barney and his best seller, Indiana Curiosities. His latest book, Mopey Dick, is a compilation of his syndicated features. Coming in the fall of 2014, look for The Right Fluff, more of Dick’s published columns over the last three years,

Dick’s syndicated column appears in 40 Indiana newspapers and is also featured twice weekly on WFYI radio.

Reviews

[Karen.J.]

Mornings with Barney by Dick Wolfsie
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An absolutely incredible, extraordinary true story of Barney the Beagle and his owner Dick Wolfsie. I truly love a story regarding dogs and their amazing trials and tribulations as they travel through their journey of life.

[Jane Cordingley]

The book was laugh out loud funny. Its a lot of vignettes about the dog and his antics, and about the reporter who is the dog's owner. Not deep, but great for some smiles.
If you have read Marley and Me - I think Mornings with Barney is the better read.

[Carmen Grantham]

Mornings with Barney tells the story of how Barney the Beagle came into TV morning presenter Dick Wolfsie’s life one day when he went out his front door. Barney was a destructive dog from the get go, and with the insistence of Dick’s wife Dick started taking Barney to work with him as he did short TV slots on morning TV.

Before long Barney became a fixture of the TV slots and people would come far and wide to meet Barney (not Dick). A very charismatic dog that seems to have won many fans.

A funny read and though there were similarities to my dog, Spot, I’m so glad that my dog doesn’t go wandering the streets looking for new adventures.

[Pat Greenwood]

This was not a deep book … but it sure was a funny one! I have a fondness for animal stories. Someone once said to me (as I stopped to pet and talk to his dog) that you can tell a lot about people by the way they respond to animals. This book explored that truth and let us luxuriate in and laugh at the antics of a sweet crazy dog and his copilot. It was a pleasure to read and to reminisce about the pets that have shared my life.

[Kristin Boes]

Fair warning: Barney passes away at the end. But considering when Dick got him, and when the book was written, it was hardly a surprise. And the journey along the way had me laughing out loud on almost every page. Such a beagle! I loved this book. It got a bit self-congratulatory at times, which is why the 4 stars instead of 5, but I'll be sharing this with all my beagle-loving friends.

[Judith Schaefer]

Great story about a dog.


I had a beagle growing up and I can to relate to some of the cstor.




I loved this story because I grew up with a beagel. She was a sweet little girl by the name of Gypsy. We would feed her peanut butter and laugh at her trying to lick it off the roof of her mouth.






growing up and
an

[Diane Ploussard]

This was a touching story.

I figured it would be funny but the farther I read, I also knew that besides laughing through .most of it, that I would probably end up crying. And I was right.
Mr Wolfsie is a great story teller and I am so glad that I discovered him. He sounds like a very creative person
as we!! as funny. We all need .more of that in our lives.

[Pamela G. Mercer]

Must Read

A funny heartwarming book! Anyone who absolutely loves dogs should read this book. Dick leads one to bond with Barney for life. You will laugh at the antics but also relate how important a dog is in your life.

[Peter Dyer]

Very fun book to read. He does repeat himself alot, so just speed read past those paragraphs. I had a dog that was part beagle so I can relate to many of his stories. Brought back a lot of great memories

[Joe Schneider]

Love A Good Dog Book

Just when you think you have had a bad dog, there's one who can outdo your dog. I'm grateful Barney was not my dog! I wouldn't have had anything left! Thank you for sharing your life with Barney. I giggled out loud several times.

[Cat]

Very cute story with corny jokes. Enjoy it for what it is- a touching tribute to a friend.

[Melissa]

LOVED THIS BOOK! This book is the best for previous or current beagle owners. The book is hilarious because it’s true!

[Marsha Hankermeyer]

So sweet

For any one who has lived an animal. This book tells the human side of a pet and the emotional bond that makes us all better people.

[Cynthia]

A good dog story! If you like dogs, you'll enjoy this!

[Joanne]

I gave the book 3 stars because of Barney and his antics. I was expecting to read more about Barney and less about Mr Wolfsie’s career.

[Beverly Clark]

This was a great book! Anyone that cares about animals should find it worth reading and enjoying.

[Gary]

"Oh no," you must be thinking, "not ANOTHER dog book?!" Yes, heartwarming tales (see what I did there?) about canines are not in short supply (I've even been tempted to write one of my own), but Dick Wolfsie's "Mornings with Barney" connected with me on a number of levels:

1.) I'm a proud beagle-daddy to two representatives of this howling breed (one of who looks remarkably like Barney).

2.) I, too, work the local morning news shift, and sympathize/empathize with many of the observations the author makes, not just about his personal & professional life with Barney, but of the ever-changing (and not usually for the better) nature of local newscasts.

Barney showed up, literally, on Dick Wolfsie's doorstep one morning, when he was getting ready for his early morning shift as a local features reporter for WISH-TV in Indianapolis. Little did he know that this wayward hound would be his constant companion, on air & off, for the next 12 years.

To say anymore would be to risk ample spoilers. Suffice to say, if you are a fan of beagles, read this book. If you have a love or even a passing interest in the working of local TV news, read this book. If you simply want a good read (that WILL make you laugh and cry by turns), read this book!

[Beverly McCall]

Mornings with Barney is about David Wolfsie, a television reporter and Barney (a beagle). I gave this book four stars as I could relate to the many of Barney's antics (good and bad). It is endearing how Wolfsie captures his stumbling into the stranded puppy and its adoption. Raising such an energetic and challenging puppy is a monumental and stressful task, however, the benefits are rewarding.

I was particularly fascinated by the path that led to Barney's celebrity status as Wolfsie's television partner and companion. Wolfsie's sharing of his many memories of Barney lends itself to his story telling skill. If you love stories about dogs then you need to read this book.

[Russ Cross]

I've was a fan of Dick Wolfsie even before he "acquired" Barney the Beagle. But after Barney started showing up on Dick's morning news segments, I found myself trying to watch them more often. It was early in the morning, after all.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure reliving Some of Dick and Barney's escapades. As someone once said, "I laughed, I cried... something something, I forget what comes next."

It was a wonderful book, full of good memories of a little beagle with a talent for getting into things at just the right time.

[SouthWestZippy]

I had never heard of Barney until the cover caught my eye. Being a lover of animal stories the title made me want to read it. What an amazing dog and dog owner. Television reporter Dick Wolfsie opens his heart and soul, walking you through his life and adventures with Barney. Barney made such an impact with the TV views and a few non TV views. Highly recommend.

[Corky]

Neat story of the bond between man and dog. Barney was a stray that was sitting on Dick Wolfsie's porch one moring when he went to work. Barney's big brown eyes found him a best friend and business partner as he and Dick went on to do news anchor spots for over a decade in Indianapolis.

[Gerri]

I found this to be a great story of Dick and his best friend and co-worker Barney. I think Barney really deserved to be called an extraordinary beagle. He truly touched so many people lives and seemed to enjoy every minute of it.

[Beth/Chuck]

A Christmas present from Matt & Keri. Interesting story of local celebrity Dick Wolfsie & canine partner Barney. Brings home the one thing I always say about pets, They don't live long enough!
Enjoyed reading about adventures on the air & at the State Fair.

[Lake County Public Library]

"Who knew WISH TV in Indy has a canine star on it's morning show for 12 years. He warmed the hearts of his public and gave them something to look forward to when they had to get up in the morning."
-Kate/Circulation

[Sharon]

Great book, reminded me of Dewey at times, but I really liked it. Very light easy read.

Mind you, it has not made me want to own a beagle for a pet, as much as I love Dogs. This book basically confirms all that I've ever heard about owning a beagle.

[Kathy]

Mildly amusing, but not very well written. The writing style is choppy. I wonder if Dick Wolfsie just compiled and edited some of his columns to create this book. At least it's short, so you won't waste too much time reading it.

[Kris]

nook book. A mildly entertaining story of a beagle found by a TV reporter who took the dog almost everywhere with him on location. The dog became immensely popular in central Indiana. There are some cute stories of the dog's shenanigans, typical of most untrained beagles.

[Colleen Rue]

If you loved "Marley and Me",and who did'nt,you'll love Barney's story!Like Marley,Barney was a mischeif maker.Like John GRogan,Mr. Wolfe works with the media.You'll find many similarities about both dogs!I recommend this book highly!!Go read Barney's story.You'll be glad you did!!!

[Joy C Jagiello]

Breakfast with Barney

A mostly funny true life story of a reporter in Indy with his side kick, Barney who charmed the early morning TV audience. Definitely a light hearted charmer.

[Lynda Crum]

Barber's Story

What a wonderful story about a dog that makes you laugh with all his antics; and his owner/co-host on the morning news.
a light-hearted story and easy read, especially for dog lovers.
Now that I've finished it, I wish there were a sequel.