Harley

Somehow it doesn't seem right to have a blog about our bullmastiffs without including Harley. Harley was our first bullmastiff. He was born on September 27, 2001, just two days before Mark and I married. We went to see the pups the Monday following our wedding and there we had our first glimpse of the boy who would change our lives and hearts forever.

Our breeder, Mary, showed us the pups one-by-one until she came to the runt, who she named Harley because he looked solid black. As soon as we heard his name, we knew he was meant to be ours. For those of you who may not know, Mark and I both ride Harleys. Unfortunately, since we wanted a "companion" animal, it would be up to Mary to decide who would go home with us in 8 weeks. We told her that we were partial to Harley for obvious reasons, but in the end the decision was Mary's. One week before we were due to pick up our bully pup, Mary told us the news, Harley was ours if we wanted him. We brought him home the weekend before Thanksgiving 2001.

Harley was an amazing dog. Despite being the runt, he quickly grew to be one of the largest of his littermates. He had looong legs, a giant square head, large round brown eyes, and the most beautiful brindle markings, including a small patch of white on his chest. We were instantly and hopelessly in love with him.

Harley was a smart boy. He was potty trained within days of his arrival (learning to ring a bell that still hangs on the cellar door) and learned his basic obedience without hesitation. We enjoyed bringing him to puppy playgroup where he would romp with the smallest of dogs in the group, laying on his back to show them that despite his size he was gentle. He would play for an hour and sleep for four hours when we got home. Mom and dad took advantage of the quiet time to get errands done.

As an adult, Harley continued to show us his unique personality. He somehow "trained" his daddy to come down to the basement after potty time to play by barking a few times. His favorite toy was a small black latex boot by Harley Davidson. His first toy from Auntie Cindi.

He also loved to lay frog dog style, hind legs stretched out flat behind him. When it was quiet time, Harley would bunch up a soft quilt in his front paws and suckle it like a puppy.

Harley was incredible in so many ways, that there is not enough time or space here to share them all. We were devastated to lose him in August after discovering that he had terminal, fast moving cancer. He was a distinguished dog and never complained. We spent our last week with him doing everything we could to make him happy and comfortable. He deserved everything. In the end, he told us when it was time for him to leave us. We helped him gently and painlessly pass to a place where he is now vibrant and active once again. We miss him terribly, but are thankful for having him in our lives, if only for a short time.

This blog is also in his memory for if it were not for his passing, we would not be bringing Howard into our life. I think Harley would be a little jealous, but also happy that we are giving another dog a life like his.