In late May of this year, Harley was surrendered to the San Francisco SPCA shelter which contacted Hendy Lund, Leo rescue volunteer for Northern California. Not much was known about this little fellow other than he had apparently spent most of his short life outdoors with little care or attention. Evaluated as a possible Leonberger, Harley was taken from the SPCA by Cindy Stratton and was jointly fostered by Cindy and Missy St. Pierre-Sands. Leo rescue volunteers keep rescue/foster applications on file for their particular areas.
When a Leonberger becomes available for rehoming, records are checked, families are contacted and arrangements made to get the dog from its current location to their new family. Hendy had just completed rehoming another Leonberger in her area and had no viable options for rehoming Harley. Leo rescue volunteers all over the country stay in contact with each other via a mailing list, exchange ideas and try to help when fellow volunteers are unable to find suitable homes in their own areas.
Hendy with Harley
Don with Harley
(note the licence plates of both Hendy and Don...)
When Hendy revealed she was having difficulty finding a home for Harley, I let her know that he had several good candidates in my files. I was pretty sure I could find a new home for this deserving 1-year-old puppy. I sent an email to one of my promising rescue applicants, former Leo owner Dianna Parish of Seattle, Washington. Dianna was the guardian of Mary Decher's Egan Maximillian Lotsadogg von Klingelberg (Max) for 9 ½ years and was anxious to work with Leo rescue to find a new brother for her 2-year-old Chow-Golden mix Arno. Several phone calls ensued and yes, Dianna was very interested in Harley. Dianna runs a business out of her own home, is 15 minutes from Marymoor, for my money the best off-leash dog park in America, and used to own a Leo. Hard to beat that combination for a rescue home.
Hendy lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and I live just north of Portland, Oregon. On Saturday, June 8th, Hendy drove down to get Harley from Missy, who had bathed and de-matted him and fed him a solid meal twice a day. In other words, Missy spent time caring for and about Harley, probably the first time he had ever experienced such a thing in his life. Hendy and I agreed to meet in Medford Oregon which is roughly equidistant (7 hours for Hendy 5 hours for Don **) from our two homes to make the transfer which would start Harley on the journey to his new home.
** Note that Hendy obtained Hawaii as one of her states while I scored Alaska. This is why Hendy had to drive 7 hours and I drove only 5.
Hendy handed Harley over to me and I fostered him for a week to make the prearranged adoption date on Saturday June 15th in Seattle. Harley got along fine with my existing pack, including Jake, my 3 ½ year old male, who objected only when Harley tried to get a little too affectionate. We arranged to meet with Dianna at her home and then head off to Marymoor for an introduction to Arno followed by a meeting with 12 other Leos in celebration of Chaucer and Sophie's 4th birthday (owned by Andie Shure).
I was a little nervous as I drove up to Dianna's. How would things go ?? Would Dianna like Harley ?? What about Harley and Arno ?? How would I feel as I'd developed quite a bond with this little fellow ??
Marley being a Leo...
Marley and Arno