Harley was born in the spring of 2007 and lived with a family for 3.5 years. In that home, he was an outside dog and slept in the garage. In March 2011, they surrendered him to a local shelter because they no longer had time for him. Later that same month, he was adopted and went to live with another family. While the intent was to keep him as an inside dog, Harley loved to pick things up from the floor and put them in his mouth. And so, he became an outside dog once again, and found himself sleeping in the garage at night just like in his first home. Realizing he needed more, his owners contacted RAGOM. On January 1, 2012, Harley began his life as a RAGOM dog, and we've promised him he will never have to live outside or in a cold garage ever again.

We took Harley to a self service dog wash the day after bringing him home and he did great! He seemed a little unsure of the blower, so we skipped that and toweled him off real well. He loves to be brushed and did well when we cleaned his ears. He went to the vet the next day and the vet could not believe how well behaved he was! He is neutered, current on vaccinations, and weighs a healthy 78 lbs. Prior to coming into RAGOM, his previous vet had noticed some "cracking" noise in one of his legs, and noted he had muscle loss. It was recommended he get some exercise and lose weight. Harley lost about 20 lbs, and when we visited our RAGOM vet, she could not find any symptoms of muscle loss or problems with his leg. He runs and plays with our dogs without hesitation and the vet said he appears very healthy. She also agrees with our suspicion that he may have some Irish Setter in him. One of our resident dogs, Bauer, is a Golden Retriever/Irish Setter mix, and at times it's tough to tell them apart!

Harley quickly learned how great it is to be an inside dog. He loves snoozing on his bed and snuggling with us on the couch. The first time he climbed on the couch with us, he let out a big sigh as if to say, "so THIS is what I've been missing my entire life - this is wonderful!"

It is very important to Harley that you have the time to cuddle with him. He is very attached to his people so it is important you have time to spend with him. In the week he's been with us, we've found he will paw at the door and whine if he can't see you. For example, if we go to the bathroom, he will paw at the door until we crack it a bit so he can see we're in there. He doesn't have to come in, he just wants to know you're there. He will also paw and whine at the door when one of us leaves for work in the morning. Harley has been shuffled around in his life so it's understandable that he's attached to his people. He is kenneled during the day while we're gone, and does just fine. He whines and barks for a minute or two but settles down rather quickly, which is remarkable considering he's never been crate trained. It's very important to realize that while Harley may eventually be trusted with free roam, it may be difficult for him because he'll be constantly looking for his people. His forever family should be committed to keeping him in the crate during the day if that's what's best for him. He started in the crate at night when he first arrived at our home, but he's now trusted with free roam of our bedroom level while we're sleeping. He sleeps next to us on his dog bed all night and jumps on our bed for cuddles in the morning. He just loves to be by his people!

Harley had very few toys in his previous homes. That changed when he came to live with us, and he's in heaven! He loves to play tug with Bauer, and carries a toy with him WHEREVER he goes! It's unusual to find him without a toy in his mouth, or one laying next to his side. He even takes one outside each time he goes to the bathroom! He's adorable!! He is doing great with "drop it" and will let us take a toy out of his mouth. He's beginning to understand we will give it back to him. Sometimes he likes to make a game out of it, though, and play catch me if you can!

Harley is a WONDERFUL dog and we know he is going to make someone very happy. With all the changes in his life, it's very important that his next home is his forever, for the rest of his life home. This is what we believe he needs:

1. A family with a predictable routine. Always coming and going around the same time so that he will understand you are always coming back.
2. A family that makes him a priority with love and plenty of cuddles.
3. A family committed to obedience training (he knows sit and come, but at times still acts like a big puppy). He walks very well with a gentle leader and heels right next to your side.
4. Another dog to play with and keep him company while you're away. If you don't have another dog but have the means and desire to take him to doggy daycare, this would work, too.
5. A home with children 12 and older. Although Harley has lived with children as young as 5, he does like to steal things from our hands, such as gloves in particular. We believe he may have been positively reinforced for doing this in the past, and it became a game to him. He is making a lot of progress since arriving at our home, and is doing very well with leave it. He is also a little wiggle butt when he gets excited, and could knock young children over with his excitement.
6. He would love a physical fence, but would also do fine without one. His recall is pretty good, but his forever family will need to continue working on this in his forever home.
7. Love, love, LOVE, LOVE!

If Harley sounds like the right dog for you, please contact your placement advisor!