Harlie and Me - 1 year

{the first day I got Harlie}

It was 1 year ago that Harlie came into my life. I won't forget the day I went to pick her up from the foster family with my brother, I was excited and nervous. It had been forever since I had a puppy and I didn't want to do anything wrong or make any mistakes. I constantly thought am I doing the right thing. The first few weeks I remember hating to leave her because I didn't want her to think I wasn't coming back. I would come home from work during the day just to check on her and make sure she knew that I would always be here.

As this past year unfolded, I learned a lot about Harlie and I think its safe to say she has learned a lot about me. As I'm writing this post she's laying next to me napping while soaking up the sun.

She reminds me of both my family dogs - she has Sabre's goofiness and she has Wallace's "cuddleness". She knows how to test me, has at least one temper tantrum a day, but also gives me the security I need.

You see buying my home and moving out was one of the most accomplishing things I can say I have done with my life, but it was also a struggle for me to go from being surrounded by people at home to coming home to an empty house. Add that on to my anxiety of being alone at night, having a dog was the solution to my worries. Growing up with dogs in my house since I was little is a part of me. It was choosing the dog that was right for me and Harlie was it, she is like my best friend. Even on my worst days she is always there to cheer me up.

Some people who may read this won't understand, but I really don't care. As Harlie and I celebrate are 1 year anniversary together as a family, we will celebrate with maybe an extra dog treat for her and a glass of wine for me. A special thank you goes out to my friend Kate who helped me with finding Harlie and another thank you goes out to Diamonds in the Ruff for the amazing work you do each and every day.

Until next time.

-B & H

Harlie's "unofficial" First Birthday

{the pictures on the left are from Harlie and me on Christmas and last night, the photo on the right is her a couple days after I brought her home at 10 weeks old}

Last night my family and I celebrated Harlie's 1st birthday. I don't know her exact birth date, all I know is she was 10 weeks old when I picked her up and it wasn't stated on her paperwork the DOB.  I am guess it was between last week and this week. Because she has a sensitive stomach I didn't get her a dog cake because I didn't want her to get sick, so I gave her a couple extra treats instead.

I think she was really happy running around the house with my niece and nephew and spending time with the people that love her most. I posted this picture {see above} on my Instagram account last night, unless you are an animal lover, you really don't know how much a dog is a part of your family. They may not be able to talk to you, but there are other ways that they communicate with you. Harlie has helped me in such a short period of time and I can't imagine my life without her.

Until next time...

-B 

Harlie's Adventures -November

{Harlie at Como park in Lancaster last week}

Its been a little while since I posted about Harlie. While she is still her rambunctious self, she is more alert and aware of her surroundings. She listens to her commands and she loves the visitors that come over. She has graduated to adult dog food too!

Making the decision to get a dog, was the best thing for me. She helps with my anxiety of living on my own and also makes me feel safe. If you or someone you know is looking to adopt or foster an animal during this time of year Diamonds in the Ruff is truly an amazing animal rescue group and I'm so happy I went with them.

{Harlie went for her first run with me at Delaware Park at the beginning of November, she did so well!}

As for what's next with Harlie, I'm looking  forward to celebrating her first birthday next month and to see how she behaves with the Christmas decorations up, I have a feeling she is going to jump on the tree for the ornaments and pull down the stockings, boy I hope I'm wrong.

Until next time.

-B