On December 11, 2008 Harpua, my beloved Shar-Pei/Staffordshire Terrier mix was put to rest at the ripe old age of 15, She turned 15 on October 22 and I adopted her into my life at the wee age of 5 weeks old.

She has had a wonderful life,


The Begining
Field House at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT Parking lot

Harpua found me in Montana; she was in a playpen full of free puppies in the parking lot of a Phish concert. Love at first sight. There was an instant connection between us the minute I saw her I knew I was going to be taking her with me. She traveled with me in my back pack for the rest of the tour and we went back home to San Diego. Harpua came to be her name because Phish performs a song called “Harpua” and for some reason she would howl at the opening notes of the song and did so till the day she died. Coincidently the song is about a dog named Harpua. My favorite lyric from the song is:

“Me and Harpua
Spastic dead-eyed hound
Oozing dreadlock skullcap
We're coming to your town
We'll help you party down”

This pretty much sums up my life at this point; traveling around seeing concerts and being a irresponsable 21 year old. Since she howled at the opening notes of that song I couldn’t think of a more fitting name so in a scense she named her self.

Years 1-10
San Diego
We came back to San Diego the day before my birthday, on Dec 7 and I introduced her into her new digs, I took her for her shots at the OB vet clinic and registered her as Southern Californian. She moved right in like she had always been there. She also was very easy to train; she had outside figured out pretty quick and really loved the leash. She was a very easy puppy, always eager to please and loved to be around other dogs. One thing she was afraid of was going up and down stairs; she really had a hard time with them. not sure why that was. I used to live one block away from Dog Beach in Ocean Beach San Diego. Needless to say there are countless joyous memories of her adventures in the waves and tearing around in the sand under the warm Southern California sun. I used to take her the Ocean Beach Dog Wash and clean her up after hours of beach time. She’d dry herself off too, I’d bring her in the house and she rolled on a towel I’d lay out on the floor. She did this pretty much up to the end.

We went on camping trips in the California and Nevada deserts all the time, she was a professional camper and knew instantly what was in store when I rolled out the camping gear. Our favorite spot to camp was outside of Indian springs Nevada in the Mojave right outside of the alleged area 51. Our favorite thing to do was to look for UFOS at night. We used to go to the SCA medieval war reenactment every memorial day in Campo California, we were spectators but she enjoyed all the food (turkey legs) and visiting campsites. We went camping in all the California forests too. We went fishing and went on Bigfoot hunts in the dense words of Mt. Laguna and she once saw a bear at Mt. Shasta. The Heroic Little Girl Barked and Barked at the bear and he wondered away from our camp site. One of our favorite annual activities was to go to the Apple Days in Julian California. We’d eat all the delicious treats and go snooping around the old graveyard and checking out the horse stables capping off our day at the BBQ pit for some ribs and beer. She loved Balboa Park and the endless trails by the San Diego Zoo, where the green grass rolled on forever and those damn squirrels would taunt her.

We have been to countless outdoor music festivals and community street fair events one of our favorites was the Tecate Music and arts Festival in Tecate U.S.A. right on the California/Mexico boarder, it was here where Harpua got pregnant, oops. I had always planned for her to have a litter of pups and now was the time I guess…er, well, there really wasn’t much you could do about it at that point. The dog that sired her was Pit Bull mixed with something else and her 6 pups where the most adorable little critters. There were 3 brown ones: Smoke, Vegas and Yonder. 2 black and white ones: Red Barron and Lucy: and the lone black one that looked just like Mama: Sally.

All the pups went to good homes and Sally went to a local taco shop owner in my neighborhood in Ocean Beach. When I last visited San Diego in 2007 Sally was a big ol pudgeball enjoying all the food and living the best life a dog could live.

Everybody knew Harpua in Ocean Beach, if I was by myself everyone would ask, “where’s Harpua?” when she was young she used to tow me down the street on my skateboard in earnest. We would take long extended walks on sunset cliffs everyday and try not to miss the spectacular sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. She was welcome in all the bars and most of the Restaurants in Ocean Beach and was a permanent fixture at Dog Beach. She would often get out of the yard and went directly to this bar next door to me called the tilted stick. There she would eat bacon that the bartender gladly gave her. I’d get a phone call: “Hey man, your dogs here…..again”. I’d go over and hang out with her and have a couple of beers.

Our yearly tradition at the annual Ocean Beach Christmas Parade she would sit on my lap outside of Theo’s Restaurant and I would wear my Santa hat, we’d eat a calzone (they were HUGE) and drink Sierra Nevada Beer. We would watch the parade then we’d go down to the end of Newport Avenue to watch them light the tree. The holiday season was particularly special for us as I had no family in California, everyone was on the East coast and I was not interested in winter travel so we would spend a lot of time going to different holiday parties and community holiday events. Thanksgiving was always an instant win for her, there were so many Thanksgiving parties in Ocean Beach. On Christmas, with out fail, I would wake up at 7am and make her a rib eye steak with some eggs and we would watch movies all day. She was the embodiment of companionship during the holidays and spared me from being lonely while everyone was off with their families.

She loved to swim in the ocean, she would chase the waves out and ride them back in. she loved live music and would sit in front of the stage to watch. She loved going to Mexico, one Music Festival in Particular was Baja Bash, 4 days of camping and live music on the beach in Salsipuedes, Mexico. She has collected backstage passes for several events over the years.

Years 10-13
Austin Texas
She was such a trooper on the move from San Diego to Austin. It was a big change but as usual she was up for anything, where ever I went she was close behind. She was ever vigilante in the shady campsites we stayed in, knowing my protector was by my side brought me a lot of comfort. We took the long way so we could see the sites, we went to an Indian reservation in Arizona, she sampled buffalo jerky and got her picture taken with an Indian chief. We stopped at several road side attractions along the way. We visited Roswell and she even took a pee on the White Sands Missile Test Range sign in New Mexico. We lived in Austin Texas for 3 years. We did not find Texas to our liking, it was too hot and no beach. She did warm up to spillway at Barton springs, explored the greenbelt (she loved the green belt when it wasn’t over 90 degrees), checked out the freaks on 6th street and even went on canoe rides on the Colorado River. She enjoyed the stinky dead fish (too much) and summer fun on Lake Travis, Toobing trips to the Comel river in New Braunfels, daily trips to Sam the Wizard Man’s house for Wheat Grass and to play with her pal Patches. We both thought Austin was a great place to visit but lacked the tight knit community we were used to in Ocean beach so we decided to head north to papas home, The East Coast.

Years 13-15
Philadelphia
The East Coast meant beaches again and Philadelphia isn’t far from the Jersey shore, to our dismay no dogs are allowed on the Jersey beaches so that was a disappointment but Philadelphia was great for her (I still snuck her on a few beaches). We took 4 days to get here from Austin and took in all the sites we could, we stayed in hotels this time and she was so good, she knew I was sneaking her in so she waited quietly in the car while I checked in, not a peep. We chose the city of brotherly love for her golden years. The neighborhood is Fishtown and we felt right at home. Fishtown is very much like Ocean Beach as it is a small business driven community and everyone knows everyone, Harpua began to enjoy her status again as the dog about town. She spent the rest of her life snacking on cheesesteaks, Daily trips to Canvas Coffee House for her bacon treat from Phyllis, Tailgating Eagles Games, Watching Football at Seth’s house, listening to papa scream at the TV all summer at Phillies games. BBQ parties in our yard, enjoying city walks, going for snow romps and chasing my moms cats in the Endless Mountains when we visited her. Harpua once again had neighborhood city life a good community that we lacked in Austin, and the Mountains with and occasional beach trip. Everything was almost as good as Ocean Beach. She was well received in, Fishtown, and everyone knew her she made some very good friends at the dog park where we made daily visits.

Her last 2 years were fulfilling ones indeed for one lucky dogs blessed life. She was such an awesome animal and recently my girlfriend and I have been learning how to farm vegetables. We have been going to a friend’s farm in Salisbury Maryland for the fall harvest. She loved it there and could have become complete farm dog for sure. Last month during one of our trips to the farm we went to Assateague island on the eastern shore of Maryland and she got one more run on the beach and saw the wild horses that live on the island. She was so happy and it seemed like she could live forever during that trip. She got to enjoy one last Thanksgiving and one more trip to my moms and to the mountains up in the NY Catskills. October and November proved to be very exciting and eventful times for her and it seems she got to do everything she loved all at once.

She was an astute music fan and even had favorite bands. Music she enjoyed was indicated by the delivery of a sock for me to throw, this happened when a favorite song of hers played. She loved parties and BBQs, especially BBQs. She loved bonfires on the beach. She loved holidays and gatherings, She loved being in boats. She loved long car rides. She has traveled cross country with me. She has gone to 32 states, Mexico and Canada with me, she was a dog with privileges and commanded respect unlike any other animal I knew, It was like almost hanging out with a person who couldn’t talk. She was a master communicator however, I don’t know how to explain it, she would tell me things and I understood, clearly. She would ask for things, either by sign language such as tapping her water dish with her paw if it was empty or direct communication like looking at me directly in the eyes then looking at the door, in distinct deliberate movements. It was amazing. She knew people by name too. Word association was really easy for her, she really did understand English, this I am sure of.





The end
Philadelphia

Her death came sudden, she was fine on Sunday, we went to the park and she played with all her friends. It’s hard to imagine how fast all of this happened.

She went fast, on Monday, Dec 8, (my birthday), I came home from celebrating my 36th and I saw she had bloated up, my Girlfriend Kim, and I rushed her to the emergency Vet at U Penn, they did an ultrasound and found a mass on her liver. The next day I took her to her regular vet and they did x-rays and confirmed it as a Tumor. On Wednesday, Dec 10 I took her up to the cancer clinic in Malvern PA to get a complete ultrasound and blood samples to determine if there was anything we could do and the vet confirmed the worse. It turns out the tumor was lodged between her liver and heart; it was growing rapidly and internal bleeding had began,

3 days was all it took.

The vet had said she had been working on this tumor for the better part of the year but there was no sign of illness, none, she was happy, playful and had no sign of ever slowing down, she had a good appetite and went for lots of car rides and walks. This is all very confusing to realize how ill she was with no signs, In august she was bit on the face by another dog and had to get stitches, I was worried to death the stress would kill her because of her age and it was a serious wound but she bounced back like the champ she is. That was 3 months ago, how can this cancer been as bad as it was with no signs, I do not understand.

We had one night to say goodbye. She cuddled with us on the bed I cried and cried because I knew the end was here and so did she. I hoped for a few more days with her but the next day was so bad, she wouldn't eat, she was whimpering, she bloated more, a new mass formed from the bleeding on her ribs, She kept looking at me with eyes that said “daddy make it stop”. All of a sudden out of no where she perked up and wanted to go for a walk, so I took her in the pouring rain and we went to that park, she did one lap and then we came home, she rolled on her towel to dry off then started wheezing and groaning. At first I had a ray of hope but then I realized she wanted one last routine before she was going to die.

In the end I realize she gave me everything her little body could give and was ready to go.

The vet cautioned us that a rupture could occur anytime and it would be an extremely painful death for her, I did not want her to experience this so I took her to the vet in the late afternoon and put her down, I held her in my arms through the whole process and she died with me laying on the floor holding her. I was with her until the very end and for this I am glad, I so happy I was able to do it I thought I wouldn’t be able too. She didn’t even leave a mess. It was very dignified and peaceful and the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life, period.

I will miss her so much. She was my best friend, a co-worker, a partner and companion, a therapist, and a good listener, we never left each others side. She has never been boarded in a kennel and if she couldn’t come with me or have proper care at home, I didn’t go It was that simple. If I had to go out of town without her I would have a trusted friend watch her in our home.

I feel so lucky and blessed to have had the tremendous experience with this amazing animal and sharing 15 years of my life with her. She was one of a kind and there will never be another one like her.

Everyone who knows me knows that Harpua was the most important thing in my life, I am lost without her and it’ll be a long time coming before I fully recover from this, I’ve never felt such profound loss and sadness. I have been preparing for the end, I know her age was up there but I can’t believe how fast and final it was when it happened. I thought I could handle this but after day one of her being gone, I’m starting to realize the emptiness and sadness is going to be very hard to deal with. I’ve had other dogs growing up but never had I had a relationship with an animal like I had with her, I was 21 when I got her and I am now 36, she has shared all of my most pivotal experiences in life both good and bad and has had an intimate understanding of me that I think humans probably will never have. I work from home. My days are going to be very lonely with out her visits to my office and my breaks taking her for walks, playing sock and feeding her delicious treats. Fortunately we have 2 cats to keep me company and they have been great over the last day as I am sure they share in my grief.

I had her privately cremated and I plan of dividing up the ashes into thirds, one third will be spread in the waters of dog beach in San Diego, the other third will be put in the greenbelt in Austin Texas, and the rest will be kept in memory of her wonderful and cherished life

Thanks Harpua for everything I love you and I miss so much, I hope you finally got that damn squirrel.

WOW Harpua got to do so many things in her life. If she could have written a book on all her travels, bet it would have been a best seller. She did things most pets never get to. She had a full life!!!!
We can tell you really love her. You did her a great thing by letting her go in peace. No pain or worries. Sure she is smiling down on you with tail wagging saying thank you!!!

Hugs to you and your angel Harpua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She has had a wonderful life

And it sounds like you have too!!!

Since I am from Montana originally I noticed that is where you found your best friend. Just this summer we found a stray dog in a very small town in Montana that has been the most amazing dog. She is my husbands best friend and I can only hope that we'll have the adventures you and Harpua had. The bond between her and hubby seems it will be like yours. She goes everywhere and loves doing whatever he is doing.

I read every word and can tell you felt the same as I did of my Flossie. She was a bundle of energy and brought me all the joy you describe. We were together 17-1/2 years and she was never boarded either. Like you, if she didn't go or have good care at home... I didn't go. She had some serious medical issues over the years and that was the only time she was overnight in a place other than our home or with us wherever we were. She took 6 trips of 6,000 miles each and went only one way with us this last summer. It became apparant it was time to let her go. She had the best summer as far as lots of space and fresh air. If only we'd had the opportunity for the farm visit for a whole summer when she was 2 or 3 before the back problems began. For years she didn't know she was crippled but the last year she really slowed down. So much that I said if she was unable to travel to Montana this past summer, we would not go. My Mom understood but she bounced back enough to at least get out there but I knew the trip back would be next to impossible for her.

Everyone says it is such a gift of love to let them go the way you as well as I and others have done but it is the most difficult thing I've ever done.

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful description of life with Harpua.

You were a lucky man............ and Harpua was a lucky dog............. Another angel waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. Going to be some kind of party one day........

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Yes, you two were blessed to have shared such a fun and wonderful time together for so many years. Your bond with Harpua was/is too strong to ever get over. And you don't ever have to. What a fantastic life you gave her. Is that a smile I see on her beautiful face in the last pict?? How could it not be. It's tough to let them go so quickly, but harder to see them suffer and you would never allow it. She also wouldn't allow you to see her that way either. Your story was so touching from start to finish. I cried at the end like a sad movie. May your happy memories live on in your heart and mind forever...Hugs.. Ann

thanks for sharing the wonderful story and the lovely pics of your sweet dog Harpua
i am still crying
feeling with you
Eva

yep that was taken right after we got done at the beach at Assateague island in Maryland, that was her signature grin.

Thank you for sharing so many wonderful moments of your time with Harpua. I am glad to read she was allowed to stay for 15 years.....each year is very very precious to us.

I am sorry it was her time to leave. I understand fast cancer...I have been through that more than once and it is devastating. You certainly made the right decision for her...that is the hardest thing to do but it is something many times we are asked to make that decision and it is truly the most unselfish act we can do. They give us their unselfish, unconditional love every day and only ask one time that we do something they need and cannot do for themselves.

My last baby, Little Guy, was also very fast, and I had him for over 16 years. It hurts so badly that hurt can't really be truly described.

You certainly did your best for Harpua and she knew you loved her and she loved you with her whole being.

Just because we do something "right" doesn't make it any easier.

So remember the good memories and cherish them. That helps the healing. I have pictures all over my home of my boy so I look into his eyes each time I enter a room. That has helped me.
One Mom here said it best for me: She said:
The pain of losing her will never ever be greater than the joy of knowing her.

I think of that a lot and it just makes me so grateful for the time my boy was a part of my life and even though I will miss him forever......I would never have not let him be part of my life so that in the future...I would avoid the pain of separation when the time comes.

I wish you peace and healing and know that since Harpua is really a part of your heart...she can never leave you. She is now truly with you always and that bond can never be separated.

Take care,
Judy

I absolutely loved reading about Harpua. Although my life with my sweet girl Shelby does not seem as exciting and eventful, I too lost my long-time love - on Wednesday, Dec. 10th.

My son found her at school. My daughter was in kindergarten. After a search, we decided to keep this calm, trusting, skinny, flea-infested beagle-lab girl. Vet estimated she was about two. My daughter is now in her second year in college.

Shelby was the best; no words to describe. The most patient, loving, understanding and supportive soul. She was my touch stone.

She was ill for two years, in which she did well until the past five months, with a slow decline. Liver and then kidney failure, followed by a failing heart valve (although even at the end the vet told me her heart was strong). She was so stoic and quiet, as she lost weight and was very weak at the end. Never a whimper ... playing the constant game of me, "take your medication," and her, "I smell it ... you cannot trick me!"

I knew it was time.

It was peaceful, and her last day was beautiful, clear skies, warm, and full of all of her bliss ... hanging out watching mom tinker about the yard ... visit to the park, where she walked well and actually sniffed liked she loved ... how she loves her nose (she is part beagle, part lab) .... a ride in her spot in the car, smelling the wind ... a trip to McDonald's, and then a nap with mom on the office floor. A small pinprick and she was peacefully sleeping ... so the rest was painless. No fear. Was almost too smooth ... sometimes I feel like I tricked her, but that is my twisted head talking, not my heart. I know it was the best I could do for her, after nursing her for almost two years.

It is so very hard. Harder than I ever expected, and I thought I was prepared. My head hurts all the time, I cannot stop sobbing. My eyes and nose look like I do drugs. She was just a part of my daily routine, done with tender devotion, and even sometimes with not enough patience and a feeling of hassle. She was foregiving, and I loved her so, and she knew it.

I cannot do a tree or cards this year. Just cannot get into it. Am blessed to have a job and a home I was smart enough to make sure I could afford ... and I devastated.

So, thank you for your posting - letting me know that I am not alone in my devotion and loneliness for my sweet furry girl.

sorry to hear that, not to sound cliché but I do truly know how you feel, best wishes, I’m with you with the tree this year, I find the little things really getting to me, no jingle of her collar, no ticking of her claws on the floor and just the lack of her presence, its really hard to get used to

take care

here is a few more pics

Harpua was such a beautiful dog! It sounds like you two were great friends. She had such a full life with you. I loved reading about her. I'm so sorry that you had to say goodbye. Words don't offer much comfort, but hopefully it will help to know that you're not alone.

What a sweet face she had! I bet it felt really nice to hug her Try and enjoy the holidays, in honor of your buddy.

God bless

harpua made her way onto the 2008 Philadelphia mummers parade volcano


I don't know what to say

WOW! I am totally amazed about the adventurous kind of life you and Harpua lived together. Your description of the many adventures you and she shared reads like a fairytale come true..........one that would make a wonderful movie. What exciting, wonderful and beautiful memories the two of you made together during her lifetime.

Though it saddens me to learn of Harpua's passing, it also brings me tears of joy that she led such a full life with you. You were both so lucky to have each other and now you have all the stories of memories to tell others for the rest of your life. One day you both will reunite again and it will be an endless adventure for both of you. Worlds may separate you for now, but the binding love the two of you have for each other will keep you connected in spirit. Though bodies perish a loving spirit never dies. She is a large part of you that dwells in your heart now and forever.

May Harpua's sun shine in your heart always and keep you warm.

Hugs of comfort and love,
Beth

Thanks for the beautiful pictures of Harpua.

You said: I find the little things really getting to me, no jingle of her collar, no ticking of her claws on the floor and just the lack of her presence, its really hard to get used to

I don't think we ever really get used to the emptiness. All we can do is try and fill that empty space we find....with the warm, happy, healthy memories, and pictures do help remind us.

I especially love the one of her walking in the sand and the water. I'll bet in time you can think of some stories of special things with Harpua that make you smile to remember. If you feel like sharing.....we are always listening.

Sometimes....a big hug helps too so here is one:

BIG HUG

Judy

some old pics

a few more

a couple more

These sweethearts are truly our....VERY BEST FRIENDS....FOREVER!

No matter what mischief they ever get into....they are always forgiven. And, sometimes, they can put on such a sorrowful face (when they get caught)..that they make us laugh at the same time we are trying to be stern.

Love your pictures. It is so easy to see that strong, wonderful bond between you and Harpua.

They are so easy to love. And, they love easy and unconditionally. That's why by being a part of our hearts.....they can never be truly taken away from us..physically..yes but spiritually..NEVER.

Hugs to you and Harpua. Remember you are always together..she is a part of your heart and soul.
A Special Angel who watches over you 24/7.

Judy