*Harley*

(September 9, 1998 - December 31, 2003)

Thank you Kathy for this beautiful poem:

My Beloved Boxer

I'll lend to you for a little while, 
a Boxer pup, God said,
For you to love her while she lives and 
mourn for when she's dead.

Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, 
or only two or three,
but will you, till I call her back, 
take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you
and should her stay be brief,
you'll always have her memories 
as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, 
since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught below 
I want this pup to learn.

I looked the whole world over 
in search of teachers true,
and from the folk that crowd life's land 
I have chosen you.

Now will you give her all your love, 
nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to take 
my Boxer back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, 
"Dear Lord thy will be done".
For all the joys this pup will bring, 
the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter her with tenderness. 
We'll love her while we may
and for the happiness we've known, 
forever grateful stay.

But should you come to call her back 
much sooner than we've planned,
we'll brave the bitter grief that comes 
and try to understand.

If by our love we've managed 
your wishes to achieve,
In memory of her we loved, 
please help us while we grieve.

When our precious, faithful bundle
departs this world of strife,
We'll have another tailless pup and 
love her all her life. 

Harley,

You will now have endless tennis balls to chase and all the treats that you could possibly want.  Say hello to my Barney at "The Rainbow Bridge."  We will miss you!

Love,
Kathy, Robert and Angel Bear

Link to Pages of Photos

Please join us in remembering how Harley made so many of us smile with great warmth.  If you would like to add some words to these pages, please send them in an email to: Harley@H3KFC.com.