Harley

Harley was my first dog.  As a little pup he had been born with so many problems nobody wanted him. When I met him I was advised he was weak, would cry in pain when he walked and looked funny. I thought I will have a look and see for myself and within seconds I knew he was the one for me, humans aren’t perfect so why should dogs be. There he was looking through his little carrier at me with his crooked teeth, one ear up the other hanging sideways but his tail wagged all the time I looked at him. I knew he was worth a shot!

After we got home he was checked out and found to have joint problems in his front knees, bad arthritis in his his front legs, an underactive thyroid and had, had a severe stroke at some point. I picked up all the medication I was advised to give him and we never looked back. He was never going to be a normal Sheltie but we didn’t care. We worked out how much playtime he could handle, how much running he could tolerate and fit our lives around it. We even got it so that if his legs hurt when we were out he would lay on his side and I would carry him until he was ‘re-charged’. We adapted and thrived!

I think due to his problems and the amount of care he needed in the early days it made us develop such a strong bond. As the years went by we became telepathic and just knew what each other was thinking and needed. He would never leave my side, if we were playing he loved it, if I was busy he loved to just lay next to me, if I was upset he loved to comfort me, he was more than a pet, he was my soulmate. Even when I went through some dark hard years he stayed by my side and made sure I would pull through, something I never would have done without him.
Even later on when the Children came he took to them like he was the parent. He watched over them when we were out, played with them when they were bored and lay with them until they slept. Harley had grown into such a strong character and integral part of everyones life. He was the help when I needed it most!

By his later years I could go to the store and everyone would ask where Harley is and come out with treats, if I went to the bar he had his own space, seat and more treats to be given, even the people at the car wash used to hold everyone up while they asked to see him when we pulled up. When I had to work I would do it from home as much as possible or bring Harley, we really did not leave each others side!

Some people say oh they are only a pet, it’s not like having a real person….now tell me how many people will be by your side no matter what, every cold morning, every late night, when you’re high, when you’re low. It didn’t matter what I had done or what I was doing, Harley was there!
Thank you so much Harley, the frail little dog who lived 15 strong years and brightened so many peoples lives. You may have only been a little dog but you left such a huge hole and so many happy memories. Take it easy lil guy, save a space by the heater and I will look forward to seeing you on the other side!