08/02/2019
This is hard. We have experienced harder times. Greater pain, yet it is still hard. We said goodbye to our friend Harley today. He came into our life in January 2006. He was a young dog. A stray that a family had taken in, who was becoming a little too rambunctious for their situation.
When we met Harley, our goal was to take his picture to post on Petfinder. Instead Harley chose us. He followed our Newfie named Bear, and our niece and nephew into the van. He was home.
He was a calm dog, until he wasn’t. He loved his new home. His people, his cats: Tusker and Maury, his mentor Bear. He was a lab at heart and food was always his goal. Brownies, Godiva chocolates, turkeys, garbage, Alski’s stash of ‘ding-dongs’ were all a challenge that could not be resisted!
When he was at his home, or with those he loved and loved him back, he was a calm dog who was always looking out for others. He never forgot anyone who sent some love his way. If that love included food, you were gold to him!
If he felt left behind, he was a text book case of separation anxiety..
In 2007, Bear left us and a few months later, Jojo came into our life and was Harley’s new bossy female dog sibling. Jojo was more reserved in her affections, but Harley was persistent. As Jojo experienced health issues, Harley earned the nickname “Nancy nurse” - whenever a soul was experiencing pain, he was there with his calm loving presence. He was our comfort as we said our good-byes to Bear, Tusker, Jojo and Maury. To say he will be missed is an epic understatement.
For those who have had the gift of animals in your life, you know we are lucky to experience their unconditional love. We do pay a price when we have to say goodbye. The price is a part of our heart ripped out from us. A price we gladly pay. ❤️❤️
