Harley, our wonder dog!

Harley, our English Bulldog, passed away this morning around 9:30, after a long and brave fight against arthritis and degenerative joint disease.  He was such a wonderful boy, and we miss him so much.  I tend to think that in many ways, he was the master and we were his companions instead of the other way around.  He didn't follow you around like a normal dog... he chose where he wanted to be, and then barked for you to come be with him.  He let me know when he was hungry and when he was thirsty, when it was time for bed, and would even wake me up in the morning so that I would get up and he could have my 'soft' side of the bed, and then he would go back to sleep.  Yes, he had us wrapped around his little fingers... all of them.  My heart is broken once again, and I know it will mend, and I know once again we will open our hearts and home to another one of God's precious animals that someone has mistreated and abused.  And in time we will do this all over again... that is what we do... that is what I do.  I guess my calling is giving abused, neglected animals the chance for a wonderful life before they pass on.  I wish I could save every poor creature out there, but I can't, so I will go on helping one or two at a time and give them the love and companionship they were cheated out of in the first years of their lives, and making their last years wonderful.  Like Harley.  Harley was 6 years old when we adopted him from the rescue shelter, and who knows how many of those 6 years was spent in pain and agony, and a broken heart.  But he spent his last 4.5 years loved, and spoiled, and happy.  He went out of this life "with his boots on" you could say.  I love him so much.