Saint Harley

If ever a dog could be considered a saint, it would be this one. Harley the Newfoundland. A beautiful Landseer with luxurious black & white fur.


We did not choose him; he chose us, my husband specifically. He was meant to be a champion but was found to have a joint defect. He would have been put down but his breeder couldn't bear to allow it and so she searched for a home where he could take it easy and just be loved. We went to meet him & it was love at first sight. He sauntered over to my husband and glued himself to his side as if to say, "you are my human and I will never leave you." He kept his promise.

When a new puppy was added to the family, he went right into Nanny mode, as is common of the breed. The puppy literally screeched when he saw his BIG Brother, but Harley knew just what to do.


He introduced himself slowly.


We put Blu2 in a dog crate where he would feel safe. Harley laid down a few feet away and kept an eye on him. After about 15 minutes, he moved a little closer. This continued every 15 minutes or so until he was able to put his face right next to the crate & let the puppy sniff, touch, lick. All was well. He would let the puppy climb on him, pull his ears & droopy lips. When the pup got too rambunctious, he would gently lay a big paw on him.

Saint Harley put up with much from this arrogant little afghan. Once in awhile, he would have to put him in his place, but for the most part, he considered it too much trouble.
 
Life is to enjoy, eating, sleeping, chewing rawhides, drinking gallons of water and slopping it everywhere, relishing the winter...
 
...hiding from the summer heat, and being brushed as long as possible.
 

Yes, he shed a lot. And when he was groomed (which he loved!) in the spring after putting on a thick winter coat, it filled up a trash bag. Yes, he drooled. When he shook his head, spit flew. To paraphrase, "spit happens!" He was highly intelligent and easy to train. A glorious dog, the absolute embodiment of an ideal Newf, he was indeed a gentle giant who loved unconditionally.

Almost seven years old, and years too soon, Harley developed a heart condition that eventually began to steal the simple pleasures of a Newf's life.

Monday, January 25 at 3:30 pm, with his beloved human at his side, Harley journeyed across the Rainbow Bridge.
He never entered a show ring, but he was still a Champion. Rest in peace, Harley. Well done, faithful companion.

Sunday Night MindStreaming

I haven't done a mindstreaming in awhile. Since I don't have a particular topic to write about, this might be a good time.

Snow cone, anyone?

New Pictures. I need some new pictures! The snow cone was actually taken last year. I didn't even want to venture outside for pix of that wicked snow we had at Christmas. I almost always build a blog around a photo, which is the main reason I haven't had much to say lately. The weather is cramping my style big time.

Wal Mart. It's Complicated. Not the movie, but my relationship with WM. I do not heart WM. But dang, who can beat the prices and selection? I think their concept of one-stop shopping is good, but - personal quirk - I cannot mix shopping categories. It just tips my tolerance meter. What I mean is, it's either groceries & personal care basics OR Other Stuff. Never the twain shall mix. Now, I can casually shop the Other Stuff side quite enjoyably and on my way out pick up, say, a gallon of ice cream. But I cannot grocery shop and on my way out, just pick up some towels. Doesn't work that way.

January Advertising. Yuk. This alone is a reason to dislike January. The Sunday paper ads are so cold and blah. Sorry, but there is just no way to make plastic tubs and tax organizers look exciting.

January Shopping. Bleh. Man, it's like opening the fridge and all you have is leftover remnants of holiday dinners. Yes, we all gripe that the Valentine's Day displays are up the day after Christmas, but let us bow our heads and give thanks for all that PINK to brighten an otherwise dreary month.

Books. I'm lost without a good book to read. Any fans out there of Gone With The Wind? I just finished a book called Rhett Butler's People. Very interesting back story on Rhett. It fills in what he was doing while Scarlett was saving Tara and other shenanigans. The author's writing style was a little choppy sometimes, but I got so interested in the story that I stopped noticing it after a couple chapters.

*sigh* Once a book is done, I really miss everyone in it. I've read GWTW countless times since the 8th grade. I bawled the first time through when Bonnie Blue died. I'm talkin' boohoo tears. Since I didn't have the book handy, I pulled out the movie and watched it for the umpteenth time. So love that book/movie. Today I went to the library & got Scarlett to read again. By the time I finish it, I should have Season 3 of The Tudors and will be all engrossed in Elizabethan England for awhile.

Reruns. TV reruns are one thing, but re-running pictures on my blog should be a no-no. Have I used the pink feather picture before? Just in case, let me leave you with happy-pink thoughts of spring to come:

That's my mindstreaming for today. Think I'll go open that book now....

Christmas Communion

I shall lift up the cup of salvation

and call upon the name of the Lord.

Psalms 116:13