Harry was always a picky eater, and periodically he has been lame in the back legs. In June he started to go seriously down hill, and on the 18th I took him to the vet in Williams Lake. It was going to cost hundreds of dollars for tests and more for special foods to try and encourage him to eat more, and there was still no guarantee that he would get better. He was 13 years old and all the efforts might have prolonged his life for a short time, but I thought it was better to have him euthanized.
He was 2 when I got him in the spring of 2010.
I already had Badger, and they became instant buddies.
A couple of months later, Harry climbed his first mountain. As I snapped this picture I said: Harry, this will be on the cover of your book.
And it was! Harry: A Wilderness Dog Saga.
At Nuk Tessli, he loved to swim.
He was not so keen on packing, though.
He did a useful job for me, though.
And on trips like this was able to snooze all the way home in the canoe.
He was such a beautiful colour. Lion coloured at the end of summer,
Golden in the winter
Sunlit in the forest.
One of the volunteers snapped this picture of him laughing.
I’ve had dogs for nearly 40 years. Harry was my ninth – and he will likely be my last
Goodbye my lovely friend.
Hi Chris, I greatly enjoyed reading Harry, A Wilderness Dog Saga, and came to visit your website, to see how you and Harry were doing. My condolences for Harry’s passing, but his life couldn’t have been fuller and richer.
I will always remember my walk along the lake with Harry and Badger years ago. The two dogs always ran into the woods, but whenever I called them, they came down. On the way back, I was a bit slow while taking fotos, but one of the dogs always waited behind the bend. I really felt so safe with them.
And Chris, I will never forget my trip with you up the mountain, when I missed you on the way back and Harry was my good companion , together we found the path back to Nuk Tessli. It was a wonderful time out there.
I had been wondering about Harry. He was beautiful and faithful and had a great life! I miss him in your stories.
So sorry to hear about Harry. He was a good dog! My condolences
Chris…… am a little behind reading your blogs…. this one was tough… oh how we wish these sweet companions could live longer…. thinking of you and as a previous reader noted…. I will read his book again!!
Bonnie Sager
Hi Chris,
Many commiserations on the loss of Harry, really difficult decisions to make with our pets and you undoubtedly made the right one.
It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all no matter how much it hurts at the moment.
When I saw the title, Harry, my heart froze. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. He was such a lovely companion and adventurer. I will have to re-read his book again in memory of his great life with you.
Take care,
Ina
“ Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.” JOHN GALSWORTHY
Chris,
It’s always so hard to know what to say. I know Harry had a wonderful, full life with you. Cherish the memories.
Chris, I just knew what was coming when I saw your heading, so I saved it until last to read. I also think you did the right thing at the right time. I will miss him, as I’m sure you are. I’ve had to put a number of dogs down and I swear that’s the last one……..never is!!
I’m so sorry Chris. He was a lovely looking dog and a great companion to you. You will miss him a lot.
I’ll take a bet you get another dog. I said the same 7 years ago but went and got Tessli . I’m so glad I did, the companionship is invaluable .
Good Bye to dear Harry. So hard to see them go. You gave him such a great life though. He was lucky to have found you. Thanks for the beautiful ‘slide show’ of his life. He was a handsome guy. My condolences to you.
Harry was always on the many hikes I did with you. That’s me in the green jacket in the picture with you and Harry. He was such a great helper on that hike!
Can’t believe the longest day is almost over and then it all gets shorter.
It’s always sad to see members of our family go downhill. It’s a tough decision to make but I believe you did the right thing. He lived a great life with you in the wilderness. We’ll miss seeing him in your posts. My condolences to you.
Chris, so sad about Harry. You gave him a good life–AND immortalized him with “his” book.
So hard to say goodbye to a faithful dog and companion. However, you did the right thing, it would have been selfish to try and needlessly prolong his life. We had to have our dog (12) euthanized two years ago, so can sympathize.