Happy Birthday to our ole'Harley Boy

On march 7th, 1997 Harley was born. He came to us in April and at the time Kailey was one years old and Braden was 4 yrs old. You can call us crazy as we were extremely busy with two young children and one of them happened to be medically fragile. Was it overwhelming to throw a rambunctious yellow lab into a family who was travelling constantly back and forth to MacMaster University Medical Centre for appointments, admittance and therapy?? It certainly was!! Looking back over the years however, walking in from some of those appointments at MacMaster and having this big, yellow,over the moon happy lab greet us at the door always made it welcoming to come home! There were definatly moments of frustration...he WAS the craziest dog I have ever had! He has always and still remains at 13 years old absolutely uncontrollable! Nothing has ever hindered or calmed his spirit. He is full of life, and he LOVES unconditionally without expectation.
I have had many dogs in my life, but Harley was MY first dog...he was the one who WE owned as a family. He helped us raise our children, he has greeted us everyday at the front door for 13 years. He has protected my children everyday since he came to us. He has slept in all our beds, he has slept beside the beds of sick children. HE has protected outdoor tents while giggly little girls had sleepovers in the back yard. He was waited up until HIS teenage girl has gotten home from school dances. He has always paraded around the pool watching the kids splash, play and swim making sure they were always safe. Harley knows all of my friends kids and has grown up with them, he loves each of them and I swear he knows them all by name. He has stayed beside me through nights of uncertainty, through nights of wanting to give up. He has cleaned our tears, he makes us laugh...HE is our protector! He is loved more than any words can express...He is here with us today and we are loving every minute we still have! HE still lies at the front door, waiting, watching and forever protecting! WE LOVE YOU HARLEY!



I made cupcakes to celebrate Harley's birthday~
I think they turned out really well!! The family loved them and I think Harley especially loved them!


My three puppies...aren't they beautiful, god I love them!!
From Left to Right..
Harley, Oliver & Finley

Family photo...I felt it to be very important to get a family picture with Harley, especially on his birthday. I honestly and not sure how much longer he will be here with us. I know that sounds aweful to some people, but realistically we are aware that Labs live usually 13-14 years, sure there are the exception...but our boy is showing signs of his age, so we will try to prepare the best that we can.

As you can see by the two picture's with Harley, somethings never change! Harley never could sit still or pose for a picture. He has always had way to much excitment and his attention span has never been desired!

Oh here is the birthday boy blowing out his candle...he tried so hard to grab this cupcake without getting his nose seared! I blew out the candle then tried to pry it out of his mouth as he inhailed the cupcake!

Look at him opening his presents...he has always loved to open presents. Even when the kids were little he'd sneek up on the pile of presents quietly pulling one away from their sight so he could rip away the wrapping paper in hopes to find dog bones!
He even tries to unwrap Papa's gifts!


Mac was a guest at Harley's birthday...he got a gift as well to unwrap, they had fun! It was a wonderful birthday, and it will forever be remembered~