I wanted to give tribute to my Harley Boy. Tomorrow the Vet will come to our home and assist that he will be free from all of his pain. My heart is so broken but I know we are doing the best for Harley Boy.

He has been the center of our "universe" since I came home from Rehab in 2004.

He has been going down for a while and my Birthday, December 26th, it all came to a head. Gosh, what a Birthday. But, maybe it is Harley's "Birth" to a pain free life. The Vet Assistant came over today to check the situation out and she said it is the best thing to do. She knows Harley very well and loves him and it broke her heart as well. She agreed that ever since his surgery he has gone down hill. Believe me, if love could save him, he'd be here forever.

I have done my share of crying and I just have wanted to be by him the whole weekend. My life is going to be so empty without him. But, I have so many wonderful memories of our life together.

I wanted to share the entry that I had written about him and shared in our SN creative writing issue a few years ago. It was truly written from my heart.

I thank GOD for the gift of Harley. I have learned so much from him and I thank him for all he has done for me and my stroke recovery. He won't be gone for he lives in my heart and soul. I have a special Guardian Angel watching over me.

These pics were taken about a year or so ago. He looks so good in them. This is how I want to remember him looking. He was a cutie pie that is for sure.

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Paw Prints

By Jan Johnson

In life you meet lots of different people

Some are trustworthy, Some are kind and sincere

Some have no hidden agenda

While others may have different plans

I have found in my life there is one Four legged fellow

who is so special from all the rest

All he has to do is look into my eyes

and there I find it

Unconditional love, forever love and devotion

The way he tilts his head and moves his ears

to listen to every word I share with him

He looks into my eyes and can see

down to my soul

It is times like that I feel additional

Harley Paw Prints being put on my heart

These Paw Prints will last a lifetime

With each one given to me, our bond

just gets stronger and stronger

He is there when I shed tears

He is there when I share laughter with him

He is there just because he wants to be

He knows I am different from the rest

He sees me in my wheelchair and with

my walker or cane

He knows I must sit in my Lift Chair

None of this matters to him, he could care less

that I am a Brain Stem Stroke Survivor

All he cares about is the love I share with him

There is no greater love than that

Harley is my blessing from Heaven

For you see God sent him to me

Backwards is the word DOG

This is the message sent to me

He was sent from GOD for if I hadn't gone through

this journey, there would be no Harley.[/font]