Proverbs 12:10a. Sometimes things don’t end up the way that we imagine. I always told Harvey he wasn’t allowed to give me any problems until he was at least 30, and by then I imagined us hiking along mountain paths or long sandy beaches in a new perfect world. Didn’t quite make it there. This week, Pearl was a little more protective of our bed, I believe her knowing what was going on. If you think this essay is going to be a tear-jerker - you may be right. But for me I had to write it, as it is worth every tear that has rolled down my cheeks as I wrote, a little therapy, and a chance to once again smile at some of the memories along the way.
Exactly 12 years ago, my precious fur-boy came into my life in the most unexpected of ways. Living in Korea, he followed me home one dark, very cold night. Wire twisted around his neck, I think he was probably destined for someone’s soup pot. Dr. Cheong, the local vet, helped clean him up. From that first night he hopped into Pearl’s and my bed and wouldn’t get out, so I knew he had to become part of the family. And wow did our lives change! While planning our first plane trip back to North America I read online how cold the special compartments in planes can be, so I dressed him up in a polar snowsuit for the flight with a fur lined collar. Our airline did not have this problem, and when we got to Los Angeles I found a hot doggy waiting in the luggage area. Then there was the time an airline misplaced him and I held up the flight until they had him safely onboard. We went from riding around Suwon, Korea, on a bicycle with baskets to riding around in a truck once we moved to North America. He LOVED that. It took us lots of places we could walk and walk...and walk. Harvey was always ready for the next adventure. And sometimes I needed him to bolster me with a little courage in situations. When living in Mexico, we went hiking in the hills behind the city. While walking back toward the trailhead I could hear gunfire. I peeked around a corner and could see a truckload of about 8 men shooting guns. I crouched behind a bush with Harvey, and Pearl, really not knowing what I should do, but getting to be dusk I decided we had no choice but had to go forward. So Harvey walking out front as usual, and Pearl and I dragging behind walked up to them on the trail, since there was no way around and kept smiling. Harvey was a great smiler. One of those precious pups born with a perma smile. I nervously watched as the men played with our stun gun for a few minutes, then they let us go on our way. Big sigh of relief. From that time forward we spent our Mondays walking the beach instead.
And when it came to service time, helping other people learn what’s in the Bible, Harvey killed it in the territory. He would draw people in like no other. I would wear a small backpack while walking, full of magazines and a Bible, and when people would stop to talk to us because of his cute face, conversations ensued and we would often get around to some scriptural thought. Placed dozens of mags each month and had the most wonderful conversations. Some people in the park in Korea would wave us down and ask if we had any new information on us - Harvey, always running up to them in greeting. Even after moving to Canada, he continued to be a wonderful service partner. I am so glad too, that I had him riding shotgun on the drive to Northern Service - sitting beside me on the console the entire way. Him and Pearl have always been wonderful travel partners. And believe me, I never appreciated Harvey having a big bark more than when we were in the back of our canopy with peanut butter and a bunch of yummy stuff, when the bear showed up. Truthfully, I thought I had killed us, but Harvey was barking wildly to scare it off, and it did run.
Each morning was a treat with Harvey. It would start with “Good morning my love!” and we would go to the fridge for a ‘waking up treat’. And I would often proceed to explain to him that Jehovah God had created him perfect already, rather than waiting for the future. Always his smile. ...When we moved to Kelowna, the three of us always started our day with a 5am walk. Fresh air and fun. However, in winter, after a couple months of cold and snow Harvey and I would sit by the window, and I would say to him, “Harvey, I promise you that one day I am going to take you South for the winter. We’re getting out of this!” But the funds often weren’t there.
This year, however, I could see that Harvey was slowing down a bit, and his breathing just didn’t seem normal to me - him being well over 15 years old I could understand that. I could see something going on. I took him to the vet a few times, but they couldn’t find anything. But you know in your heart when you see something. So this December I told him and Pearl we were going South no matter what, last minute, not a lot of planning, but we were going South. Loaded the truck and camper. Once we hit Alamo, then Lake Havasu, then Quartzite, it was warm and we were all walking trails, and it was wonderful. I could see an upturn. And when not walking, I would sit in the lawn chair and Harvey and Pearl just laid in their beds and enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine, and LOTS of dog parks along the way.
However, on the way home Harvey seemed uncomfortable and wanted to lay his head on my lap as I drove (I know bad, but I felt like he had to). For hundreds of miles we motored along like this. Then as we came down the hill into Kelowna I made the snap decision to stop by his vet and get a once over for him. I honestly thought they were going to tell me at worst that he had pancreatitis or something like that. I was expecting antibiotics again. No problem. But after the tests and xrays the doctor said she wanted to talk to me. Mmmm...another explanation about antibiotic use? Well, when she walked in with a serious face and a digital picture of Harvey’s body I felt the bottom drop out of my stomach. Harvey had a spleen mass the size of a canteloupe in his belly. HUGE. The doc said he most probably would not survive the complicated operation, so they didn’t want to consider that. She said the kindest thing I could do is let him go by the end of the week, to avoid a rupture, which would be traumatic for him. Being a single woman on my own serving God, I feel Him often there for me, giving support in lots of ways in my life, and at that moment I knew the only reason I was still standing upright was because of Him. ...And then, a little while later, I thanked Jehovah God for the gift of the last few weeks, because if I knew all this was going on in Harvey I would have been too afraid to take him away. But instead we had an additional incredible last trip together. A true gift of time and memories.
From the moment Harvey joined my family, he got to spend his life being intensely loved and indulged...and giving love back in so many ways. He made my heart swell with feeling and added to my adventures, theocratic and otherwise. I am so grateful our paths crossed on a black cold night in a dark alley, and that Jehovah God created him perfect, before a perfect time.
Love,
Harvey’s Momma
Post script: I have been reminded this week that it is true that Jehovah God carries us when things are beyond our own strength, and when he can’t be there to do the physical carrying Himself, he sends precious special people to do the job for Him. When lips were quivering without words coming out, they were there with a steady arm and compassionate tears in their eyes, and comforting words. I will always be grateful.
