Harley
A donation was made in memory of Harley on Dec 28, 2010.
Harley was a 13.5 year-old german shepherd/rotweiler. I adopted him at 4 mos. and 45 lbs. in 1997 out of foster care. His mother was a stray - a pregnant, german shepherd, and no where to go who found herself in a shelter. She was fortunate enough to be rescued by a foster home. Harley's foster mom, Elizabeth, whelped the pups to health and adopted them out. Harley was the last of the litter. Of course, he was not named Harley at the time. He was "Rowdy". It should have been a warning but I could not resist the confident, handsome pup that he was. I will never forget the trip home. From the back of my Honda Civic hatchback, he put his left paw on my shoulder, pulled himself forward and showered me with kisses. He was not without faults - he did eat a pair of diamond earrings (!!! - and, yes, I did look...) & chew holes in my walls of epic proportions. However, when I adopted him, I made a promise, I was his "forever home". Over time, he settled in, and we developed our own rhythm, and had many, delightful adventures together. He was always ready at a moments notice for a ride - especially if the destination was Marymoor Off Leash area in Redmond.
Harley had been slowing down for several months. After returning from vacation, Harley had been sick with an upper respiratory infection; after one round of antibiotics, his persistent cough was not quite gone. We went back to the vet and, I called out the fact that his lymph nodes were swollen. With "Dr. B", we discovered all his lymph nodes were afflicted. We decided to aspirate & also x-ray his heart and lungs. Nothing suggested pneumonia, so off with another round of antibiotics, and waiting for the results.
The following Wednesday, I learned that Harley had Lymphoma. He had been declining over the prior days - refusing food and even the Metacam that tastes of honey & is meant to help with the arthritis in his knees. Discussions with his vets, and possibilities for treatment of lymphoma were explored. I read up on the WSU website and considered all the options.
I spoke with my Dad, a hospice chaplain, who offered so many words of wisdom as I came to terms with the reality that Harley would not recover from this illness.
On Friday morning, I decided that a course of chemotherapy may give him six months more with me in this life, but the ancillary illness (nausea, etc.) was more than I wanted him to bear. I also decided I would simply spoil him with his favorite things - salmon (his absolute favorite), peanut butter & lots of love.
Saturday was a bit rough. I asked Harley's vet for medication to help soothe him and eliminate any pain he may be experiencing. The combination made him a bit like a drunken sailor and he struggled to stand. Harley was always committed to NEVER messing in the house...it was amazing as I watched him eventually WILL himself to head to the front door for a request to go "out."
Sunday was a "Good Day". Eating almost all of his food (poached eggs for breakfast, specially prepared ground beef for dinner) and lots of treats (kong w/peanut butter & milk bones).
Then, Monday dawned. It was quickly apparent things were "off". Harley did not follow my boyfriend out of the bedroom. He barely stirred. I cooked up ground beef and kibble and it was barely touched. A brief walk outside to eliminate was slow. His legs quivered, so difficult - trying so hard - and he stumbled. Losing strength. Weakened.
As I readied myself for work, I realized, with tears streaming from my eyes, the most humiliating thing for Harley would be having a mess in the house. And, I did not want my little bear to suffer. I wanted him to leave this life with Dignity. Respect. Love. All the things he had always known.
On December 6, 2010, my sweet, furry prince was released from this earth to run in fields, fully restored to the health & vigor he once knew.
It was a beautiful experience. My sister, Beth, left work to say goodbye. Dexter, my boyfriend, was with us, too. Candles were lit, he had his kong stuffed with peanut butter, on his bed, in front of a fire, and his favorite radio station, KPLU, was playing jazz in the background. He left this earth at home, courtesy of two angels, my dear friends Jennifer Creason and Maria Baker, both graduates of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I will never be able to thank them enough for the incredible gift they gave to us on December 6, 2010.
Harley loved us all & we will be forever blessed for having him in our lives. Harley was surrounded by everyone who loved him so dearly.He took his last breath with a jar of chunky peanut butter under his paw - spoiled rotten to the end.
Harley, 1997 - 2010
Teri D.
Harley had been slowing down for several months. After returning from vacation, Harley had been sick with an upper respiratory infection; after one round of antibiotics, his persistent cough was not quite gone. We went back to the vet and, I called out the fact that his lymph nodes were swollen. With "Dr. B", we discovered all his lymph nodes were afflicted. We decided to aspirate & also x-ray his heart and lungs. Nothing suggested pneumonia, so off with another round of antibiotics, and waiting for the results.
The following Wednesday, I learned that Harley had Lymphoma. He had been declining over the prior days - refusing food and even the Metacam that tastes of honey & is meant to help with the arthritis in his knees. Discussions with his vets, and possibilities for treatment of lymphoma were explored. I read up on the WSU website and considered all the options.
I spoke with my Dad, a hospice chaplain, who offered so many words of wisdom as I came to terms with the reality that Harley would not recover from this illness.
On Friday morning, I decided that a course of chemotherapy may give him six months more with me in this life, but the ancillary illness (nausea, etc.) was more than I wanted him to bear. I also decided I would simply spoil him with his favorite things - salmon (his absolute favorite), peanut butter & lots of love.
Saturday was a bit rough. I asked Harley's vet for medication to help soothe him and eliminate any pain he may be experiencing. The combination made him a bit like a drunken sailor and he struggled to stand. Harley was always committed to NEVER messing in the house...it was amazing as I watched him eventually WILL himself to head to the front door for a request to go "out."
Sunday was a "Good Day". Eating almost all of his food (poached eggs for breakfast, specially prepared ground beef for dinner) and lots of treats (kong w/peanut butter & milk bones).
Then, Monday dawned. It was quickly apparent things were "off". Harley did not follow my boyfriend out of the bedroom. He barely stirred. I cooked up ground beef and kibble and it was barely touched. A brief walk outside to eliminate was slow. His legs quivered, so difficult - trying so hard - and he stumbled. Losing strength. Weakened.
As I readied myself for work, I realized, with tears streaming from my eyes, the most humiliating thing for Harley would be having a mess in the house. And, I did not want my little bear to suffer. I wanted him to leave this life with Dignity. Respect. Love. All the things he had always known.
On December 6, 2010, my sweet, furry prince was released from this earth to run in fields, fully restored to the health & vigor he once knew.
It was a beautiful experience. My sister, Beth, left work to say goodbye. Dexter, my boyfriend, was with us, too. Candles were lit, he had his kong stuffed with peanut butter, on his bed, in front of a fire, and his favorite radio station, KPLU, was playing jazz in the background. He left this earth at home, courtesy of two angels, my dear friends Jennifer Creason and Maria Baker, both graduates of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I will never be able to thank them enough for the incredible gift they gave to us on December 6, 2010.
Harley loved us all & we will be forever blessed for having him in our lives. Harley was surrounded by everyone who loved him so dearly.He took his last breath with a jar of chunky peanut butter under his paw - spoiled rotten to the end.
Harley, 1997 - 2010
Teri D.
