6/28/04 -  - Harvey and I are doing well.  He wakes me up every morning with a face wash.  He's had 
no accidents and has adjusted to our family lifestyle.  Harvey loves to play ball and has the run of 
the yard.  He has his own bed and is taking over the rest of the house.  He has met our family and 
friends and was treated royally, he even met my one year niece and they shared his toys.  All in all 
everything is going great.

6/20/04 - Well - our longest foster ever went home yesterday.  Harvey was SO excited to meet Chris and his sister Barbara who rode up with him to keep him company from Long Island.  When they got here the dogs were out in the yard and then I let just Harvey in, you would've thought he was meeting long lost friends!  He washed their faces for them, climbed in their laps (he's NEVER done that here) and Barbara kept saying to me "Do you think he knows?"  Chris is going to call him Sarge and I think Harvey is going to be one spoiled rotten boy - I couldn't have asked for a better home for him!  I know he had baskets of new toys waiting for him, but no dog bed because he's going to be encouraged to sleep in the bed with Chris and on whatever furniture he wants.  I am so happy for Harvey & Chris, I think they're perfect for each other.
Tina, thanks for finding the perfect home for this boy - he will always be very special to us just because of the amount of time he spent here and because he was so good right from the start and so
obviously thankful to be in a home and not a shelter.  Katie
 

6/10/04 - Harvey is pending adoption

6/2/04 - It's been a  month since Harvey last updated himself and I'm not sure what more to say about this boy that hasn't already been said.  He's just fantastic.  He's all housebroken, gets along with other dogs, gets along with cats, loves people.  He crates very well, goes in when he's asked and settles nicely for the night or for while we're out of the house.  He's learned what he can and
can't play with and LOVES for you to throw things for him tofetch.  He brings his toys and leans against your leg until you throw it for him then he goes and gets it at a gallop to bring it back for
you to throw it again.  Harvey's coat has come in so nice and soft since he had the treatment for mange and he doesn't have anymore bare spots at all, he loves to have his face and muzzle scratched.  He's learning that people touching him is a good thing and he offers his butt for scratching quite often.  I can't think of a single reason someone wouldn't want to adopt this boy!   His deafness is not a handicap at all and can actually be a plus because deaf dogs tend to be much more in tune with where their owner is so they don't 'lose track' of them.  Our own permanent resident who's deaf has got the most reliable, strongest recall of any dog I've ever owned!  Please, please won't you give this boy a chance in your home - he deserves it!

5/5/04 - Hi everyone - this is Harvey - mom said that she's never let a foster use the computer before but that I was special and that I could.  I'm very happy here with my foster family and I've settled in so nicely.  Mom says I'm a very good boy - that I go in my crate nicely and that I've stopped
chewing things that don't belong to me (unless Daisy starts it - she's always telling me the stuff she has in her mouth is ok to chew - mom knows it's her though).  I don't know why my forever family hasn't found me yet - mom thought since I was such a handsome young boy that I wouldn't be at
her house very long at all and it's been 3 months!  Mom thinks it might be because I'm deaf - but I'm not sure what deaf is?  I do everything my foster siblings do - I come when I'm called, I sit for my dinner and I try to be good when I'm on a leash.  I even love up the skin kids so everyone knows I'd be good in a home with them!  Mom says it doesn't matter that I'm deaf - that deaf dogs aren't any different than dogs that can hear because the deaf dogs don't know their deaf.  Honestly, I'm getting a little sick of listening to her talk about it - sheesh.  All the itchies I had when I got here are gone and my coat is filling in beautifully - it's so soft and white!  (unless I find a nice mud puddle. . . )  Mom has been trying to teach me my manners - I, mostly stay off the furniture, and I know I'm not allowed upstairs because that's where the human kids toys are, I sit when asked, I don't bark in my crate, I ignore kitties, I love all the other dogs I meet.  I'm happy to stay here as long as I need to but isn't there somebody out there who wants me to be a
permanent part of their family?  I'll be a good boy - PROMISE!!

4/14/04 - Well Mr. Harvey chalked up one more plus next to his name last night!  He met a very dog savvy kitty and he was just fine with her - walked right up to her, sniffed her all over and then walked away.  She didn't even feel the need to swat him on the nose he was so inoffensive.  He's such a good boy!  He's going to have a bath tonight (again!) because he spends so much time romping in the yard that he's not exactly white anymore.  He's also going for one more check up to the vet for his
itchies - we want to be sure that's all cleared up before we give him a clean bill of health.  Last time we were there he was up to 56 lbs so he's gained weight nicely, so nicely in fact we've cut back on what we're feeding him so he doesn't get too round.  :-)  This guy will work his way into your heart so fast - won't you consider adopting him?

4/4/04 - I have an admission to make - we haven't been out walking much lately because of the crappy, cold weather - so I took advantage of the sun yesterday and got everyone outside on a leash. And guess who has the best leash manners in the house? Yup - Harvey - he only pulled just a little and then came back and walked with me wherever I went. He even sat when I stopped! (That might've been the dog treats in my hand though.) Still - what a nice surprise! Obviously I need to make sure he goes out on a leash without the other dogs more so that he doesn't pick up their bad habits. We're still working on laying down on command, he's not picking it up too quickly but once it clicks in his head I'm sure it won't be a problem - he really does want to do what makes you happy. Such a goofy boy.

3/28/04 - It's amazing to watch Harvey trust people more and more each day - he's always been very leery of men but Mike decided that he was going to make a concerted effort to work on that. He's been carrying treats in his pockets and being very generous handing them out to Harvey. Well, you'd think he was Santa! Harvey has learned to love going to see him - and has even started to enjoy having his ears scratched! He's such a good boy.
He's due for another bath this weekend - with this warm weather the backyard is just full of mud and Harvey just loves it! He runs through it so he has muddy feet, a muddy belly and if he wrestles with the other dogs - lots of muddy footprints all over his back!


3/26/04 - It's amazing to watch Harvey trust people more and more each day - he's always been very leery of  men but Mike decided that he was going to make a concerted effort to work on that.  He's been carrying treats in his pockets and being very generous handing them out to Harvey.  Well, you'd think he was Santa!  Harvey has learned to love going to see him - and has even started to enjoy having his ears scratched!  He's such a good boy.
He's due for another bath this weekend - with this warm weather the backyard is just full of mud and Harvey just loves it!   He runs through it so he has muddy feet, a muddy belly and if he wrestles with the other dogs - lots of muddy footprints all over his back!
I can't believe he's still here with us - I thought someone would just snatch this young guy up!

3/19/04 - Harvey had his last treatment for mange and he's ready to head off for his new home.  Its amazing how much better he's feeling - his skin isn't pink anymore and he's not itching at all.  It'll take a little while before his coat comes in completely and we know what he'll look like but I'm sure it'll be beautiful.  He has the cutest mark on his side - it looks like a teddy bear (or maybe a giant rabbit?) And one little brown spot on his ear.  He has the darkest brown eyes and will stare into yours like he's trying to figure out just exactly what we want him to do. 
He's turning into as much of a gentleman as an 11 month old boxer can be - he's exuberant greeting you at the door but won't jump up.  He sits nicely for his treats and his dinner dish and goes into his crate easily whenever he's asked to.
Harvey loves to be outside and charges around the backyard at world record pace chasing the other dogs here.  The only one who can match his energy is Daisy but she's never tired!  He's learned to come in when you signal him too - for a long time he'd just stand and watch you then bark when you went back in the house.  I don't think it was a game - maybe he had some bad experiences going through doors because he would lower his head and slink in if you went out to get him.  He's still a little unsure around my husband so who knows what happened - maybe his bad experience was with men but I think he'll get over that quickly.
Harvey will need obedience training and work on his leash skill, I just don't think he got much of anything before he came here.
Wouldn't you like to open your home to this boy?  He loves it here but would be so much  more happy in his forever home!

3/12/03 - Harvey is feeling sooo much better after his trip to the vet. Dr. Wolfe was pretty convinced that Harvey indeed has mange (even though he had negative scrapings for it) so he gave him an injection of ivermectin and what a change we saw almost immediately! He's no longer as pink as he was and his itching has decreased so much! He needs to go back next week for a second injection and then he'll be all set to go!
I would say too that our crazy man is now officially housebroken - he stays dry in his crate overnights and while we're at work and asks to go out when he's loose in the house. We haven't had an accident in quite a while and we're so proud of him! (Knew he could do it all along)
Harvey loves toys - all toys - any toys - especially plush toys but his favorite part of those is de-stuffing them so they're getting pretty scarce around here. Anyone who's seen the movie Summer School knows what it's like in our house - all we have left of several toys is heads. A snowman head, a blue puppy head. . .you get the picture. He happily trots them through the house and will bring them to anyone sitting and lay them in your lap so you can throw them for him. Then he'll bring them back and wait for you to throw them again.
He's started to settle in here and will bark if he thinks there's someone outside the house (sometimes at our reflections in the windows if it's nighttime). He has a funny, almost hound sounding bark - arrooooouuuuu, arroooouuuu. Fortunately he doesn't use it much. :-)
This guy is just a big, ol' pup that will thrive with attention - he's so bright (watches you all the time so you can sign to him) he sits very nicely now for his meals and when asked. He's learning to down and we're definitely working on come since he likes to play keep away in the yard. You won't be sorry if you open your home to him!

3/4/04 - I was going to wait until tomorrow to do an update on Harvey since we're going to the vet tonight but I thought I'd just do a quick one on this character we've got staying with us.  Harvey is doing very well with his housebreaking we've gone several days without an accident in the house and he will go to the door looking to be let out.  He plays very well with all the other dogs in the house - it's so funny to watch him - he bounces into the air, all four feet leave the ground at once, and lands on whatever.  Dogs, furniture (we're trying to discourage that. . . ), or back on the floor.  Then tears off to another room to keep on playing.
Harvey's trip to the vet tonight is to see if we can get a handle on his itches.  He's had some improvement since he came to stay with us but not too much and he just digs and digs at himself when he's in the crate at night, even with benadryl.  Even with being uncomfortable this guy is really learning.  He watches all the time and is learning to go where we direct him with our hands.  He's got the sign to sit perfected too.  We are still working on learning how to 'down' but that was a hard one for Satchel too - we'll keep on it - I know this boy wants to learn!
He's just a big puppy that wants to love everyone up.  If you're looking for a boy that sounds like this Harvey might just be the one for you!

2/25/04 - Well, we're really late with Harvey's update but this little guy is just a character! He's been with us a week and a half and he's gotten pretty good about his housetraining - he goes and stands by the door to be let out but doesn't make any noise so you have to be careful he doesn't give up on you. He's learned the sign for sit and no we're working on down and stay but it's so hard to sit still when you're an 11 month old boxer! Harvey gets along so well with all the dogs here he wrestles and plays with Daisy just constantly and with Satchel (when Satch is in the mood).
I think that Harvey would do better in a home without small children - he loves them but he's very overzealous and needs a little work on his 'small child' manners. He tries but he just can't help trying to sneak a bite of whatever the kids have in their hands and he does crash into things a lot. I think he would just overwhelm a small child very quickly.
Harvey is wonderful in his crate - goes in happily for his meals, at night, and when we're out of the house. He will bark when he knows we've arrived home so we'll let him out but will settle back down again if we don't get right in there to let him out.
Right now Harvey's skin allergies do seem to be clearing up - he's much less pink and itchy than he was when he arrived. If it isn't completely cleared up by next week we'll take another trip to the vet to see what the doc recommends. It might be as simple as a change of diet. I think this guy will be a great addition to someone's home! If you're worried about his deafness check out www.deafdogs.org there are lots of training tips and you can see - deaf dogs can do anything hearing dogs can do! (We've done obedience and agility with ours!) Please consider giving Harvey a spot in your home.