TRIBUTES: Harley

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Harley

Have you ever said to yourself: “I’ll never love another dog like that again”? Well I have – those were the exact words that came out of my mouth following the death of the second of two shelter-Boxers we had for 10-years. Not only did their effervescent Boxer personalities keep us constantly amused, but their big black eyes, wrinkled faces and huge, slobbery lips also gave my 3-sons the solace no Human Being ever could.

After Buster & Stella’s passing, I was in major conflict – I wasn’t in the place of wanting to commit to another lifetime-poochy-relationship quite yet, but I also knew I couldn’t be dog-free for all that long either. What to do? What to do? So I sent an e-mail to our favorite Boxer Rescue asking if they had a dog needing Hospice Care – and soon, I heard about Harley.

Harley was a tall, handsome, good-hearted Boxer with a terrible background full of neglect. And when these wonderful folks at the Boxer Rescue took him in, they quickly learned he had a large tumor on his heart! While the tumor would surely cut his survival by years – it turned out to be the precise Blessing that brought Harley into our home!

Right from the start, I knew my prediction of never loving a dog as deeply as I had before was completely wrong – here was this exceptionally special Light that everyone instantly warmed up to. Even simple things would make people smile – when Harley would stick his head out my car’s sun-roof, when this big 70-lb baby sat in my lap with his head out the driver’s side window, or whenever he’d show his perpetual puppy personality while out in public – people had no choice but to smile at this big lovable guy.

As the Dog Whisperer (Cesar Millan) continuously reminds us on his show, Harley let the past stay in the past – despite his horrible history, Harley was a bright, shining puppy through and through. Whether it was him taking up my entire bed and giving me an ever-shrinking sliver to call my own, or his deep, powerful snoring, or the endless trail of droplets left on the kitchen floor as he was leaving his water bowl – I just couldn’t get mad at this enormous bundle of love!

All along, I knew Harley didn’t have a whole lot of time – BRLA told me to expect 3-months, but luckily, we were able to stretch that out to 9. Yet near the end, Harley started developing more and more problems – neurologic ones that affected his rear legs, further heart troubles that left him weak, and some issues with pain. That’s when it comes down to us ensuring that our very special gift doesn’t suffer – for the quality of Life is always more vital than its mere quantity!

With tears streaming down my face, I brought Harley to the Veterinary Hospital where the staff had cared for him with lots and lots of love. Although we may have made this humane decision more than once in the past, it remains incredibly heart-wrenching each and every time!

Was it worth the ultimate sorrow of having Harley around for only 9-months? Absolutely! Was it unbelievably difficult to say goodbye? You bet it was! With that in mind, would I now change any little thing about the entire experience? Not on your Life – I’d do it all again in a heartbeat!

I was able to give this big bundle of joy a home and a family that loved his so – and like any good doggie, he landed up giving us far more in return! Harley is but one of the many sick or senior dogs at the Boxer Rescue LA needing a loving home – would you be willing to take on one of these extraordinary adoptions yourself?

If you’re wondering if you could possibly open your heart to a sick or elderly Boxer, feel free to shoot me an e-mail (RDP4Humanity@aol.com – Subject: Harley) and we can talk it over. As far as I’m concerned, the rewards to humans and canines alike are well worth whatever price we’ll eventually have to face later down the road! These poochies can educate us in truly enjoying the present moment – and what great teachers they are at that!

Without a doubt, the guardian angels over at our local Boxer Rescue are uniquely qualified to find you a ‘Harley’ all your own – it’s an experience I promise you’ll never forget! For at the end of the day, we’re only made better when we share our love freely!

Robert Dal Porto