For the Love of Harley

Abandoned at a town shelter, broken and deformed – that was how Little Shelter Rescue Manager, Debbie, found Harley when led into the office by one of the shelter workers. Hit by a car many years earlier, Harley did not receive medical treatment and her bones were left to heal on their own. Arthritis had set in and she seemed to be in pain, but Debbie recalls how Harley got up and walked over to her for attention. It was at that point that she knew she couldn’t leave this little lady behind.

From the moment she arrived at Little Shelter, Harley quickly took up residence in the adoption office and stole the hearts of our staff and volunteers. It became increasingly apparent that walking was extremely painful for Harley, and we couldn’t let her continue her life in such discomfort. We took Harley to see an orthopedic specialist and the visit bought us news that we had hoped for – with extensive surgery, including plates and pins, Harley’s most damaged leg could be straightened, and enable her to lead a comfortable, pain-free life.

The surgery and ensuing rehabilitation were expensive, but Little Shelter was willing to do whatever it took to help our friend. The ‘Help Harley Heal’ fund was launched and the generosity of the public made Harley’s surgery possible. Rehabilitation included months of physical therapy and medical care, but at the end of it all we were amazed at what we saw – a leg that was once bent at almost a 45% angle, was now more than 90% straight. In what was described as the most grueling and difficult surgery she had ever done, Harley’s surgeon had performed a miracle!

With a life of pain behind her, Harley could now go on to find a home where she would be loved and cherished, but finding the perfect home was no easy task. Says Adoption Manager Joan, “I wanted to make sure that whoever adopted Harley, adopted her for the right reasons, not because they felt sorry for her. She is a great dog and has a lot to offer”. It took many months for the right family to come in, but when she met Michael & Leslie Bergbower, she knew they were the perfect home for Harley – “I liked them right away and thought they would be a good fit. They had put a lot of thought into adopting, and when I took Harley for a visit to their home I could see the house was perfectly set up with few stairs, and there was a welcoming feel and a dog bed waiting for her.....it all seemed so right for a dog that never had much”.

The Bergbower’s were concerned about adopting a dog that had suffered so such trauma, but their personalities ‘just clicked’ and they knew Harley was the dog for them. Upon arriving in her new home, Harley settled in immediately and became a wonderful companion to her new family - always greeting them at the door when they come home, and sitting by their feet when they watch television. When asked how Harley has enriched their lives, Leslie Bergbower replied “It’s a real privilege to have Harley in our lives. It is a joy to see her happy and comfortable and taking such strides. She goes on long walks and loves to play with her toys”. It was then we realized that this little lady was finally where she deserved to be. She was no longer broken, abandoned and neglected – she was whole, happy and loved!