About Me
Harley was a very special Great Dane...more than just a dog to many, if not all, that knew him. He was a wonderful companion for his Mommy, always gave her lots of love and understanding, a shoulder to lean on, and messes to clean up. He was a gorgeous Harlequin, 34 inches at the shoulder, and at his heaviest was a sight to behold. In the last few weeks of his life he did not look as well, but his personality is what shined more than his looks. Harley was born on February 6, 2000 in Oregon. He was loved by Anne from the time he was 8 weeks old and that love will never fade. Harley was only 4 and a half years old when he died, and had many complications with his health. He was diagnosed with Whip Worms 2 years ago, which was when his struggle with his health began. We aren't sure what role they played in his death, but it made it very difficult for Harley to absorb the proteins and nutrients that he needed. In 2003 Harley spent 5 days at the vet, refusing to eat and being sustained only by IV fluids. He had many tests run on him, but the doctors could find nothing wrong. He decided one day to eat again, and his health bounced back quickly. He got strong and healthy, and was at his heaviest weight in early 2004. This spring he started showing signs that he was sick again, and by summer he had begun losing more weight. Harley started the spring off at 128 pounds, and at his death weighed only 78 pounds. On Monday, September 20, 2004, Harley stopped eating. He refused everything offered him, even chocolate and bacon, with the ONLY thing he even nibbled at was some turkey from Mama's sandwich. Harley went to his vet, where they told us they could do nothing for him. They didn't want to test and test and come up with nothing again, so they referred us to some specialists. We took Harley to another local vet for a second opinion, and right away they suspected Harley had Addison's disease, which affects the adrenal glands. By Saturday the 25th, they had diagnosed him as Addisonian. They believed that it could be the cause of his rapid weight loss and disinterest in food. All was looking well...but then Sunday morning, the vet called and sounded distressed. We MUST take Harley to WSU (Washington State University has one of the finest vet programs around) right away, his protein levels were so low, the only thing that could help him now was a plasma transplant and blood transfusions with 'round the clock care. Annie's wonderful friend JP loaded Annie and Harley up in Annie's car and drove them 4 hours to Pullman, WA. Annie spent the whole time with Harley in her lap, petting and loving him, talking to him to let him know he was gonna be just fine, no matter what. Harley seemed to look at me with understanding and knowing that day...he was sending me messages with those soulful eyes...he knew that these were our last hours together. Harley collapsed in the parking lot on the way in the hospital, very weak and even though he tried hard, and his tail was still wagging, he just couldn't make it in on his own. The doctors picked him up and immediately put him on fluids and blood, doing all they could for him. We spent 3 hours there, before I said goodbye to my boy, unknowing it would be the last time I saw my beautiful guy. Two hours later, doctors called to tell me that while moving Harley to another table, he collapsed again, went into cardiac arrest, and they were unable to revive him. Harley died on September 26th, 2004. He'll be sorely missed....Play hard Harley, on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge...Mommy will be with you again someday! Harley was cremated, and I will keep his ashes close to me always....but some of Harley's hair (and he had lots, everyone knows how much he shed!) was spread at 9 Mile, outside of Bob Marley's tomb on Mt. Zion. Harley and Bob shared the same birthday, and I thought it fitting that he should become part of the foundation and spirituality that is Zion and Bob Marley.
