Harvey White

GOODBYE TO MY VERY SPECIAL BIG BOY (18.8.2018)

Jane says “I lost a very special friend yesterday, Saturday 18th August. Harvey came into my life as my 20th foster dog. I clearly remember, back in 2009, at 3am, this adorable lump was pinning me against the conservatory wall giving me a very loving Harvey hello.

I knew he was going to be trouble from the start but, my God, it was love at first sight too. Hence, I soon joined the ranks of the failed fosterers. Harvey was such a larger than life character. I could go on forever about his antics, bless him. He landed me in loads of scrapes but he also got me through some bad times not to mention the many more foster dog he helped along the way”.

A few days later, Jane told us “Losing him has left me absolutely devastated butI have just had Harvey’s ashes back and, in a strange sort of way, I feel a little better knowing he is home.

Luckily, Tess seems oblivious and doesn’t seem to be affected. She is 13yrs
now but still acts like a youngster.

He was adored by everyone that met him and I am really grateful for the kind thoughts from everyone who knew and loved him too”.

To Harvey, her very special friend, Jane said ” I’m glad you’re not suffering now but I wish I’d had more time with you. I am absolutely broken hearted. I’m really going to miss you big boy!”

A BIG THANK YOU TO JANE

We would all like to say a very big thankyou to Jane for giving Harvey such a wonderful life and a gentle, peaceful passing..

Harvey was given a diagnosis of lymphoma on 11.8.2017. Due to his age, Jane, with veterinary advice, decided not to go ahead with any treatment. She told us “He is eating well and seems happy enough, although a little slower than usual, and he does get breathless at times. I’m not sure how much longer we will have him, possibly only weeks or, if we are lucky, months. To say I am absolutely gutted right now is an understatement. ”.

As it turned out, Harvey, had another whole year of good quality life, thanks to Jane’s excellent nursing abilities, and, of course, he was given bucketfuls of her special love, as usual.

He was the most gorgeous boy and what a very smart one to have wormed his way into Jane’s heart all those years before.

Fly high with all the other golden angels, sweet boy xxxx

HISTORY

Harvey is a neutered Golden Retriever. He was approximately two years old when he was rescued by IRR in 2009.

He was fostered by Jane and her family until, unsurprisingly, he won their hearts and became their forever boy.

FIRST REPORT

Malcolm arrived back at 3am after collecting Harvey off the transport. I was greeted with a great big bear hug and pinned against the wall!!!!!! He is a gorgeous big boy with a massive head, absolutely adorable and knows it. He is very laid back and loves all the attention especially being groomed. He likes to jump up at you to give you a cuddle if he’s allowed of course.

He is house trained and can be left all night and so far has been left for a few hours in the day. He sits under duress and is quite stubborn to obey commands but will give you a paw when he feels like it. He pulls like a steam train on the lead but on a halti won’t budge but we are working on that one!!

He has met other dogs and has shown no interest in any of them but ‘oh’ he does like our elderly cats but just wants to play with them. He enjoys his food as you can tell and is a bit on the portly side; he could do with losing a little weight (couldn’t we all!!).

SECOND REPORT

Harvey has really settled in well, it’s as if he has always lived here! He’s brilliant in the house and has been left up to 4 hours in the day and has been fine. When you come back he’s always very pleased to see you tail wagging and trying to jump up and to give you a bear hug, then 2 minutes later he’s on the floor fast asleep snoring!!

So far this week he has come face to face with horses and loads of children munching and hugging him and he has not batted an eyelid, bless him. Harvey enjoys getting out in the car and will quite happily stay in the boot lying down and will lift his head occasionally to have a nose around. He knows his name and his recall is virtually 100% unless he gets side tracked. He will sit, lie down, stay and give you his paw – most of the time!

Harvey gets on great with our own dog Tess and they certainly enjoys a rough and tumble in the garden. He very rarely bothers with our two cats except to pinch their food!

He will sit and wait for you to put his food on the floor and won’t go near Tess while she is eating hers. We have sat with food on our laps and he doesn’t bother either.

He is a wonderful dog, larger than life character and a ‘nearly perfect gentleman’. We are all definitely going to miss him when he goes to his forever home.

UPDATE JULY 2009

It’s still on going with the lead, as Harvey is very strong but he is getting better on a halti. We have been letting him run around on a long line but he often gets side tracked and will just bolt and he is so strong so there is no way you can hold him back. He will eventually come back when he is ready! He is absolutely perfect in the house but outside it is still work in progress.

We have had Harvey for such a long time now and he is a larger than life character that we cannot bear to let him go so we have now joined IRR’s long ranks of failed fosterers!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HARVEY

……………….or NOT so merry??

Jane says “Harvey is sulking at the moment as he has just had a bath. He LOVES water but only DIRTY water, lol !!! He looks and smells lovely but much to his disgust.”
6.01.10

Party time in the garden for Tess & Harvey. They had a brilliant time !!!!!

A POPULAR SPONSOR DOG

Harvey became a Sponsor Dog when one or two of the favourites, for differing reasons, were no longer able to carry on. He represented the truelly handsome dogs who still found themselves inexplicably unwanted.

Jane would like to thank the kind people who sponsored him:-