Happy Birthday Harvey!

2 years ago today, I received one of the best presents ever ...

2006: Jack and I had been talking about getting a dog for awhile. After looking casually online, we made the decision to get a dog. It was now just a matter of finding the right one. I looked online every day. We decided that we would adopt one from a shelter rather than buying from a breeder. There are so many dogs out there that need a good home, why buy from a breeder?!



Jack has always been a forward thinker. He thinks about all of the expenses of buying something before the purchase to make sure we have everything we need and can afford it. One day (October 20th, 2006), Jack calls me up and suggests we go to PetCo to look at supplies, food, bedding, toys, etc., so we could get an idea of how much we would need to spend. I agreed. I told him I would meet him at home and we could drive together. Candy (Jack’s mom) needed to get some food for Suede (her dog) so she met us there. We started wandering the aisles looking at the prices for beds, food, toys, and yes… clothing. Jack said we should start getting things here and there so when we get a dog we will already have what we need. I didn’t think anything of it. Jack said he wanted to check out the price of grooming. He started walking towards the front of the store. I finally decided on a dog bed and was headed to pick out some toys. Candy was there with me. All of the sudden, Jack shows up behind me holding this little frightened wiener dog. He looked so scared! I looked up at Jack and asked him whose dog it was… He said it was mine. Jack handed this scared little dog over to me and I just started balling. I actually turned around so neither he or his mom could see even though they already knew I was crying. We named him Harvey.


Behind the scenes: Jack found Harvey on Petfinder.com the one day I didn’t look online. Harvey (formerly known as Bruno) was at an animal shelter in Price, Utah. Jack called on him first thing that morning and drove down to get him. By the time he got there the shelter informed Jack that about 50 other people called about “Bruno”. She led him back to the cages. She lifted up this large flap and there he was… shivering in the back corner of this huge cage, in between two other big (and constantly barking) dogs. His food bowl was bigger than he was. It took a few minutes to get this little guy to come out of his cage. As soon as Jack got him out, he knew he was the one. After filling out the paperwork, Jack and Harvey began their journey back to Salt Lake.


The rest is history! I love this little dog and try to provide him with the best life possible. The first year of his life was rough. His owners weren’t capable of taking care of him (obvious from the length of his nails and how skinny he was). The lady at the shelter said she believes he was abused.

Now, he is the happiest little dog! He has a friend he gets to play with, he sleeps in the best bed (although I don’t know how long sleeping in our bed will last), toys galore, gets to go on walks, play fetch, and do all of the things that dogs should be able to do!

Harvey trying to eat his birthday pizza!

(Hannah & Harvey)

Happy Birthday, Harvey!

We love you!