I’ll never forget Handsome Harley

It hasn’t even been a year since I said goodbye to our dog, Hopsie. And this summer, we lost another member of our family: Harley … or as my mom called him, Handsome Harley. He was a 15-year-old Lhasa/Pomeranian mix.

In December I shared Hopsie’s story with you. Today, I’d like to take the time to share Harley’s. We welcomed Harley into our home back in 2001, but we had known him since he was a puppy. He was two-years-old when he came to stay with us … a visit that turned into 13 years of great memories.

Harley was definitely a lively soul; he was always bouncing around, chasing his stuffed sock, and barking at everything – even dogs three times his size! But even though he tried to make people think he was tough guy, he was actually the sweetest soul – never once using his teeth to harm.

Now, something that’s important to know is since the get-go, Harley and Hopsie were a special team of pups. He followed her in their early days, and he never left her side into her elderly years. When Harley was still living with my aunt, he had puppies with her: five girls and one boy. One of them, Gem, is still within our family and the others found their way into homes of friends.

Fast-forward almost a decade later, and Harley started turning grey. The black fur on his face slowly faded, but his energy and wonderful spirit never aged. He enjoyed his daily walks with my parents. As he got older, he couldn’t make it as far – sometimes my mom would carry him back home. Nevertheless, the jingle of a leash always got his little tag wagging.

And it wasn’t always walks that put Harley into a good mood; biscuits were definitely a close second. He used to stock pile his treats, hiding them under his bed or guarding them all day long. He loved his little cookie treats, and while he still had a strong set of teeth, he loved chew treats.

With Harley’s passing, our hallway seems so quiet. There’s nothing like getting home and being greeted with excitement – even if you’ve only stepped out for 10 minutes. And even though he’s left us, he lived a long life, with the people who loved him best. Right now, I know Hopsie and Harley have been reunited – two soulmates finally together again … playing on the Rainbow Bridge in the sky.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.