Harvey

#13-050 Harvey, age 5 1/2

Weight: 75 pounds

MATCHED

Updated 05/09/13

“Really lovely dog.”

Our intake evaluator summed it up – that’s Harvey in three words. His owner adopted him from an all-breed rescue back in 2009, and the poor fellow was in awful shape, so much so that he looked quite a bit older than his years. But with each passing month, he grew younger (a trick we would all like to learn!), and now the vet puts him at a sprightly aged 5 or 6.  

Just a few weeks ago, Harvey’s mom learned that she’d need to make room in her condo for some extra family members, and she was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough space and attention for Harvey, too. Could GRR help? “He is sweet and cuddly and loves attention. He loves going on hikes. He doesn’t get regular exercise now—I would love it if he could, and so would he. He’s good with cats, too.”

It didn’t take long to find a foster-to-adopt spot for handsome Harvey! After a bath and groom, he was all ready to move right in with his new family. No dental work, needed though—he’s already got a Miss America smile (his previous owner had those pearly whites polished not long ago).

… and that smile is on display plenty these days, as the happy Golden gets all settled into his brand-new home!

Here’s what Harvey’s family has to say:

We lost our 15-year-old Golden in December.  She had been in declining health and when one morning she refused to get up we knew the time had come.  We did not plan on getting another dog, thinking it would be nice to not have that responsibility.  We have  had a dog or two, one being a Golden, for the last 40 plus years.  What we did not realize was how much the place in our lives filled by those pets would be missed.  We decided to check out rescue opportunities.

Enter Harvey.  When we got the call from GRR describing his personality we knew it would work.  He is so similar to our previous Golden that it is uncanny.  He came into our home and immediately adopted us, and our cat. It was like a flash back 10 years in time when our Golden was his age.  He is so laid back that you hardly know he is there, except you have to be careful getting up because he is always right at your feet.  Harvey is the most polite dog I have known.  When you open the door to go out he sits and waits patiently for the lead to be attached.  He never begs for food and waits for the OK to eat his meals.  He sleeps on the floor beside our bed, and does not stir until we get up.  He loves his morning walks which we do in shifts.  I take him for a short one and my wife does a longer one.  Right now the weather is fantastic for walking.

We are extremely grateful to GRR for matching Harvey up with us.  And to the previous owner did such a good job loving and training Harvey, it all shows.

Harvey has free access to our fenced back yard, but he does not spend a lot of time out there unless we are out doing yard work.  He prefers to be wherever we are.  We have plans to go to Colorado with our camper this summer and of course Harvey will go with us.  He already loves to ride in my truck (in the back seat, windows up).

We are fortunate to be able to travel internationally a couple of times per year.  When we do, Harvey will stay with our daughter and family in Austin.  They also lost their Golden to a stroke last year, and are excited about keeping Harvey while we are gone.  They have two children, 6 and 4 years old, who have already met Harvey.  It was mutual love at first sight.

Harvey is a Will Rodgers kind of dog – he never met a person he didn’t like.  And that’s just fine with us. I think our two weeks is up on  May 7 and we are excited about formalizing the adoption then!