Harley is a young golden retriever who was neutered in Ireland. He gets on well with other dogs, is clean in the house and is very affectionate. Harley went to his forever home with his new family straight after the Reunion.

HARLEY’S THOUGHTS ON HIS NEW HOME

I didn’t really know what was happening when Dave and Allie took me in their car for a VERY long ride to this Home place. We kept stopping to take walks and have drinks and some playing. I don’t like getting in the car so I wasn’t best pleased when they said it was time to get back in! 7 Hours they kept me in the car driving to Scotland (its very wet here!!!), but my mummy cuddled me the whole way home, which I was quite happy with! When we got home, I didn’t know what to do or think! Mummy slept downstairs with me that night and I was very pleased! I kept pacing, but she let me do my thing. I settled soon and slept through the night happily.



I didn’t quite understand these floors covered in tiles and laminate, so my mummy had to cover a path across through to the kitchen in towels and leftover carpeting (it’s funny that they just put in all new carpets because I can see all my muddy paw prints when we come in from a walk!! hehe!) I got over that the next day when I realised that I had to go on these silly floors to get my food! I have since learned to "skate" across them just fast enough to come barrelling into the living room and take crazies! Also, I have learned that I need to sit still after a walk to be tidied up (the hair seems to get awfully wet and mucky I guess).

I also was not so sure about these "walkies" that these crazy people take me on. They walk me until my tongue hits the floor! Its GREAT! Recently (since I started letting on that I DO know my name), they have let me run about like a crazy man chasing balls and rabbits in the woods! :o) Oh how I love rabbits!!!! I could spend hours sniffing for them, but it’s more fun to watch my mummy have these "heart attacks" as I go barrelling off! She doesn't know yet that I will come back when I am done!!!

I have been called cheeky recently (why, I don’t know!) because when my mummy comes home to take me on my walk at her lunchtime, she catches me on her new black couch! I can see out the window when I sit on it! They keep telling me to keep all my paws on the floor, but it’s hard when I can’t see out the window when they leave...so I have to jump on the window sill to see them as they go! I think I am awfully cute! [We do too, but it hard to teach selective "paw on the floor" training to a retriever that thinks he can fly!] I don’t jump on people anymore, UNLESS they have a sandwich in their hand!!!!


I love my toys too! Even though I keep being told that my bed is not a toy, I do enjoy wrapping myself up in it and throwing myself around! Its fun really!! I also play this game called "Bonkers Conkers" where I take my rope toy with a big ball on the end and swing it about my head! It makes a funny noise when it hits my sides, so I keep going!! I am also happy with my squeakies and rawhides! Really I am happy just so long as I have something in my mouth (toes if you’re not careful!!!)!

I like my new home and all of the people that come in! I have learned that when my mummy and daddy have their friends around that the food is theirs and I have my own doggie food and treats! It is fun to slaver though! Everyone comes around to play with me and says that they want to take me home...I am not sure about that because I have it pretty good here! Mum calls me spoiled because I know I am cute and cuddly, so when I do something naughty, I work my charm!!!

I do look forward to seeing everyone next year when I am a year older and [hopefully] a year wiser! Mummy and Daddy are thinking dancing might be the event for me next year as I love weaving through their legs in step with them! Who knows? I have a year to figure out how to impress the ladies!

Mum Allison says. “We are so very happy with Harley, he just brings so much laughter and happiness that I could not imagine! The cuddles and kisses just flow and the 'naughty' habits are slowly slipping away (we know that paws belong on the floor MOST of the time!). Our family and friends love him and beg for time with him, but at the minute we are quite greedy and selfish enjoying all of his time! :o)”

©2008 Irish Retriever Rescue UK