A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance


 

 

Harley

Week 1 ║  Week 2  ║  Week 3  ║  Week 4  ║  Week 5  ║  Week 6  ║  Week 7

Week 8  ║  Week 9  ║  Week 10  ║  Week 11  ║  Week 12  ║  Week 13

ADOPTED!!!

UPDATE
I am Harley, I have a long sad story. I was stuck in a barn with my mom, dad and brothers and sisters. We got plenty of food but nobody ever touched us or played with us. Finally, someone called a rescue group to come get us. By that time there were 13 of us in there. The oldest of our group were five years old and the youngest was just two weeks old. That was three years ago. Since that time I went to prison (you can read about that on the rest of this page), had a home that I thought was going to be forever but then they had human babies and did not have enough time for me. So now I am in foster care again.

Due to me being locked in a barn for the first two years of my life without any human contact I need a special home. I would really like to be an only dog because I am a bit jealous of having to share my owner with other dogs. I am super sweet and very good in the house. I never get into trouble or potty in the house. I do best in a home with a solid routine and few disruptions, including lots of visitors coming to the home. If you have visitors it would be best to put me away into another room because I get so scared and I might snap.  I am also afraid to go out for walks at first. If you keep walking me in the same area I do get better. I am quite happy to run outside, go potty and come right back inside. I just want to be by your side all the time.

I am a very healthy boy, but when I get really stressed out it is possible I might have a seizure. I have only had three seizures in the last year. All of those where within the first month after I was moved. After the first month, as long as things remain steady, it's not likely that I will have any seizures. I was tested and there is no reason for the seizures other than stress. Please consider providing me with a loving quiet home. I am so deserving of one. I just want to be loved. Won't you love me??

You can read a story about Harley and the other Eskies from the barn who passed through the gates of the prison by clicking here.

 

Chi Chi       Justin       Banshee       Rufus       Taz      Buddy        Sky       Hope       Oscar       Leah       Nyla

Ike       Bo       Maggie       Chloe

Week 13
Harley's handler says that he still makes steady progress, and can "envision him as a loyal, super-affectionate family pup." His new family will find him not the least bit greedy or disrespectful. He tends to be aloof, either an ultimate sign of canine respect, or a very mature way of saying, "I don't care to enjoy your company. Good day, sir!"...almost like a dignified cat! Harley loves nibbling on his toys. He's an indoor pup, wanting nothing more than acceptance and acknowledgement from his pack leader a/k/a his caregiver.

Harley surpassed some obstacles this week! He approached many more people with increasing frequency! His handler says that Harley finally decided to muster his inner strength to hold a stay while an officer pet him! "Hurrah!!!!" Harley has good recall, but he's working on his "down" command in public.

Harley's handler says that he responds like a child eager to please..."all googly-eyed with goofy anticipation." He knows that 2009 is going to be a good year for this little one! Harley is going to his forever home this weekend, and we wish him all the best with his new family!  Happy New Year, Harley!
 


 

Week 12
Harley is nearing celebrity status at the prison.  Everyone adores this little boy and everyone is pulling for him to be successful in his new home.  He has quite a positive effect on the people he meets.  Although he had the hardest time of all of the Eskie Brigade in adapting to life outside the barn, he has really made great progress in the last month or so and we've seen him truly start to blossom.  Now all he needs is a place to feel safe and loved for the rest of his life and time to believe that there really is such a place.

 


 

Week 11
Harley has broadened his circle of friends, and has shown an increased trust in humans this week! His handler is pretty confident that once he settles into his forever home, Harley's self-assuredness will blossom! He also thinks that the relaxed manner that Harley exhibits to him will extend to every room and every yard of his new surroundings!

Harley is still a bit of possessive of his space when the other dogs enter his living area. His handler doesn’t think that it’s classic "resource guarding." Rather, he thinks the behavior mirrors that of “a disgruntled morning grump: abrasive, unbecoming and fleeting.” Although his handler is working to discourage this behavior, he also finds it somewhat endearing.

Harley's handler thinks that if there are cats in his new home, he will treat them with the same aloof respect that he shows to the other dogs in the pack. He has walked Harley within ten feet of the neighborhood felines on several occasions, and Harley never acknowledged their existence! Harley possesses an abundance of calming signals and, with the skills of a seasoned diplomat, employs them regularly!

Fingers and paws crossed that you have found your forever home, Harley!

 


 

Week 10
Harley is still a scared pup, but his perimeter of confidence is gradually progressing and expanding! His handler’s mix of stimulus exposure, and giving this little one an opportunity to freely explore, has allowed Harley to achieve small, yet huge milestones this week! He has accepted touch ON HIS OWN from nearly ten people...including two of those “scary key-jangling, uniform-wearing, door wielding” Correction Officers! He also conquered going up and down stairs! Harley had been working hard on his sit and stay commands, and is responding well to them so far. During quiet time, he enjoys reserved bouts of play, pawing and nipping at a plush toy.

Harley really doesn’t like the big dogs. His handler thinks that he may feel threatened by their size, and/or is exhibiting a bit of jealousy if his handler shows attention to the other dogs. Harley will be getting special lessons to prevent any negative behavior, and to quell his fears so he doesn’t go on the offensive with the other dogs. His handler thinks that any family who is thinking about adopting this little one should think about Harley’s acceptance of any dog(s) that might be in their home.  Despite his fears, Harley learns something new each week, and we’re proud of him! You go, Harley!
 


 

Week 9
Harley’s handler is just smitten by this little charmer’s affection and loyalty.  Harley has begun to voluntarily approach those that he trusts and give them a sniff. Although he's still fearful of those he doesn’t know, he is very accepting of those who are familiar to him. His handler is working hard to dispel Harley’s fear of the officers (jingling keys can be very scary) and big doors, and integrating more public contact into his daily activities. Despite his adversities, Harley carries himself with airs of dignity, pride and composure!  Harley had a visit to the groomer this week! His handler says that his coat has become "flaxen silk" and is very pretty, like "burnished red oak wood grain."  We hope that someone is interested in accepting this little one into their home. His handler thinks that, despite his adversities, his new family would feel the same affection and loyalty that Harley has shown to him. Could that be you?

PS from Harley: Thanks for the new collar and spiffy grooming! :O )
 


 

Week 8
Harley is coming along well, but he still has a little way to go. He’s making progress in the dog yard and is enjoying one-on-one time with his handlers. He still has some fear, but its getting better as his handlers work on focusing on structure and encouraging Harley not to shrink back into the shadows of his former life. Harley is a great pup and his house manners are excellent! You keep trying Harley...we know that you’ll do this and will find your forever home!

 


 

Week 7
Harley is worried that he hasn't had any applications yet so he asked his handler to write a personal ad for him this week.  Enjoy!

 

 

SBP/FBF - HARLEY

Harley is a Single, Blonde Puppy who is Friendly But Frightened.  He prefers to mind his own business, letting the world unfold around him while still remaining alert.  He is is quite affectionate in intimate settings - a fantastic companion for a small, low-key family.  Anyone in a quiet, super low-maintenance dog who will curl up on a lap or subtly nudge a hand for a pet will find a really attractive friend in Harley.

 

 


 

Week 6
Harley continues to try his very, very best to stand down his fears and every week we see a little more progress from him.  The one area that has never needed any work is his relationship to the other dogs.  He loves them...all of them!  He especially loves to play chase with Maggie and Sadie.  Actually, the girls like to chase him.  Every so often they can catch him, but usually Harley wins that game paws down!!  Harley is a quiet boy who rarely barks and everyone at the prison always remarks about how sweet and gentle he is.  He loves a good snuggle with his handlers and, in time, will learn to enjoy that same pastime with his new family.   Now all he needs is the family!  Does he sound like a good fit for you?

 


 

Week 5
Harley is just a doll.  He is so sweet, still very nervous but coming along nicely.  He gets a lot of his confidence from being around the other dogs so we'd love to see him go to a home with another Eskie or another small to medium sized dog.  He loves to play out in the doggie yard and looks completely relaxed whenever he is out there.  It's wonderful to see him lose the leash and run freely with no dears and no worries.  It's a little glimpse into how is life will be from now on. 

 


 

Week 4
Harley worked very hard this week on his fear of the big, bad doorway.  It troubles a lot of the more frightened dogs and Harley is no exception.  When they get to the door, it clicks rather loudly and then opens loudly and then slams very loudly!!  This was enough during the first week or two to put poor Harley right over the edge.  But, with lots of practice - and lots of cheese - the doorway became a lot less scary this week and Harley showed it who was boss!!   

 


 

Week 3
Harley is now 100% housetrained!  Way to go, Harley!  He has made even more progress this week and has added a few more human friends to his circle of safety.  He is getting braver in allowing people to approach him and if you're calm and quiet and patient, he'll be content to let you scratch his ears for a bit.  He loves all of the other dogs.  He's starting to hold his head a little higher these days when he's out and about and we definitely see forward momentum.  He loves his crate and his handler leaves the door open for him most of the time so that he can snuggle up with his blankets and toys anytime he likes. 

 


 

Week 2
Harley had another week full of progress.  He's beginning to come out of his shell a little more each day and really finds his comfort zone out in the dog yard playing with the other pups.  It's like all of the misery just falls away when he gets inside the gate and starts to run around free.  His favorite playmate is still Sadie, but he gets along with everyone.  He and Sadie have daily playdates in the yard or in her cell where he loves to romp around with her.  He is going to be quite a little heartbreaker! 

 


 

Week 1
Harley has definitely started to relax, even in the hustle and bustle of his new environment.  He has become so relaxed in the doggie yard that he doesn't even need to drag his leash any longer.  He comes when he's called and has no trouble letting his handler place his leash back onto his collar.  He loves his good friend Sadie and plays with her every chance he gets.  He even gets to go visit Sadie in her cell and play with the toys and hop on and off the bed and run around all over!  It's so nice to see him happy and relaxed and we hope that trend will continue over the next few weeks as he gets more and more secure.

 


 

UPDATE - October 1
This little guy is a heartbreaker!  He had a rough start to life, but is coming around nicely and we have high hopes for him in the HOPE Program.  He just needs a little time to find his confidence and then he'll be ready for a fresh start!  Harley is a handsome American Eskimo Dog who is two years old and available for adoption through Eskie Rescuers United

 

 


 

Hounds of Prison Education
A Program of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance