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Harley Parley
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Joined: 27-July 09
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Last Seen: 28th September 2012 - 12:29 PM
Local Time: Mar 29 2024, 02:28 AM
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Harley Parley

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26 Sep 2012
Hi folks,

It has literally been years since I've posted here, and my heart goes out to all of you who are experiencing the loss of your beloved pets.

My little Harley left us in July of 2009, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever experienced and this forum helped me get through some really tough times. There are awesome people in here and it is a great place to share your loving thoughts. In a world where other may seem callous and show no empathy for your loss, you will find it here. It sounds cliche, but things do get better and you do move forward. However, the memories of your loved pet will stay with you always and even though you may get a new pet, your old ones still occupy a special place in your heart.

After 14 months, my wife and I got a new dog named Zoe, who is a miniature poodle, and a delight to be around. She is very loving, smart, loyal, and a very different pooch from our Harley. She has brought us much joy and we are very blessed to have her.

We were also blessed 11 weeks ago with the birth of our daughter, Finlay, who is our first child. Wow! Being a dad is fun and an incredible experience.

It is now that we are beginning to appreciate Zoe even more, as she has taken to the baby with such understanding and acceptance. She knows the baby needs space and has even learned to sit and stay at the top of the stairs until we have carried the baby to the bottom of the stairs. Such a delight.

I now have a dog and a daughter who will probably be inseparable pals.

Now that is real joy!

Peace & Love
Ben
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22 Jul 2010
Hi folks,

It has been one year last Tuesday (July 20) that my most loyal friend, Harley, left this world. Before I had him, I could never understand why people would grieve over a pet. As a person who grew up in a culture that hunts and gathers, I was raised to have the utmost respect for animals and all living things as disrespect towards animals could mean that you were not successful on a hunt. I still have those beliefs, but they have changed since Harley left. If anything my respect for animals has increased 100 fold.

Harley taught me that no matter how rough a day I had at work, work should never mix with home. Home was for wagging tails, petting, and long quiet serene walks in the bush. He taught me that mornings are to be greeted with a long stretch, and excitement about the new possibilities that exist. He taught me that in spite of how bad things went for you in the past, there is much power in living in the now and just being. He taught me so much.

Now as I sit here a year later, without a new dog, I somehow feel guilt at having to clean up his barf on his final day on Earth. You see, I didn't think he was that sick. He went so quick. I hope he realizes that I loved him so much and I would give a lot forone more chance to clean up his barf one more time.

On the day before he died, we took a walk on his favorite trail. I suffer from gout and was getting over an attack, so my foot was tender, but the day was beautiful and we needed to take a walk. We took a walk and my boy looked so happy. IN some ways, I'm very lucky because some pet owners don't even get that chance. For that I'm forever grateful.

I miss you my boy and I love you

Ben
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17 Aug 2009
Hi folks,

Just got back from a very rough weekend. Hopefully my story helps you out somewhat or maybe is a warning to others. I'd appreciate any feedback you have or any insights you may have.

Today marks the one month date since I lost my beloved Harley Parley. I have never had a dog affect me so much in so many ways, especially since his very untimely death. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and remember all the fun times we had while he was still here.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago, my fiancee was looking online at the SPCA website and looking for another small dog. She happened to come upon another small dog at a shelter 800 kms (5oo miles) away. We talked it over and decided that because we are such good dog owners that we could take in another dog that deserved to have a good home. We went into this with the best intentions and wanted nothing but the best for any dog we take in. Well the shelter called us back and said they would love to have us take the dog home, but we would have to pick it up. We decided to drive down Friday, get the dog, drive back part ways home and then come the rest of the way on Sunday. The drive itself wouldn't be a problem usually, but it involves going through a major city (Vancouver, BC) and a ferry crossing (1 hour 45 minutes one way).

Well, we get to the shelter and meet the pooch after taking him for a walk. We noticed that he was itching a lot and seemed agitated. No problem though as we knew he had hypoallergenic issues with food and chalked it up to that. We signed the papers and got ready to go. I went to put a harness on him that we use for our dogs in the vehicle, and he snapped at me and actually bit me. I thought because he was annoyed at being sick that he was just scared. Anyway, he takes to the fiancee quite well, so she takes him and we get him in the car and get ready to go. As we sit there I notice that he has some scratches and raw skin from where he was scratching himself. We go back into the shelter and they send us to the vet at their expense. The vet sees it and says no problem. We just need this medication and he has to wear a buster collar to keep from scratching his ears. We head down the road over the ferry and 200 kms towards home. All is fine and everything goes good until 11PM that night when the buster collar comes loose. The fiancee asks me to help her put it back on. As I go to do it, he tries to bite me. I move my hands away and say "NO", then try again. He tries again and I decide he's in a red line aggressive situation. I back away and give him his space and as I do he runs at me, jumps up and clamps down on my inner thigh leaving me with a welt and a little broken skin. That was it. I managed to get a hold of the shelter manager who tells me that I need to bring him back. Not a problem, but it involved a 4Am wakeup time, a 10 hour backtrack, and a total 18 hour day of driving.

Anyway, the end of the day yesterday was tough when I got home. I was reminded again that my beloved Harley Parley was gone, I felt like a failure because I had to return a dog, and very spent. Compounding the problem was seeing all the many sites my dog and I experienced together. It made me cry and it made me very sad for the dog we returned. He was very sweet, but we were not a fit. I knew right from the start that he would not be like Harley and never had the illusion that he would. It was just very sad to experience the bite and return him.

I guess if I had any advice for any of you it would be this. First, if you have to travel a great distance to a shelter, insist they send you the dogs bio before you go. Ours said he had a dominant aggressive side to him. Had I known that, I wouldn't have even taken the next step. Secondly, if the dog has health issues, tell the shelter you will pay for any costs and then pick up the dog when he is ready to be picked up. Finally, ask yourself if you are ready for another dog. After this past weekend, I have to honestly say that I am not ready and I had a long discussion with my fiancee on the way home that I do not want another dog for at least a year.

I think the worst part for me is that this whole incident broke my heart again and I really didn't need that right now.

Take Care
Ben


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27 Jul 2009
IT has been a week since I lost my dog, Harley. He was a Poodle/Terrier SPCA Special, and he brought a ton of joy into our hearts. He had a very tough life when we got him and it showed as he was a timid dog when you first got to know him, but eventually he just cuddle up beside you and beg to be petted.

A week ago he had a cancerous tumour that ruptured and he died of internal bleeding. Totally unexpected and out of the blue. IT has hit me like a ton of bricks. MY Fiancee seems to be handling it way better than I am and I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm over reacting, but I just can't see the light at the end of my tunnel. I can get by doing what life wants me to do (work, school, chores) but I feel cynical and jaded.

I know Harley won't come back and I know he is so much happier where he is at the Rainbow Bridge, but why do I feel like crap?

All I know is that I miss him so.

Thank you
Ben
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