Harris was winning hearts here even before he arrived at our humane center. Volunteers with the group Nottoway Allies for Paws shared his story on their Facebook page in late January. Harris had been in the custody of the Nottoway County shelter since December, but no owner ever came to claim him, and his stray period expired on New Year's Eve. Although he had been neutered and vaccinated while at the shelter, Harris was also in need of lifesaving treatment for heartworms.
Richmond SPCA Admission Counselor Ashley Parker transferred Harris from the Nottoway shelter on January 30, and she beams with love when asked about this large, silly dog.
"Harris warmed my heart because despite not having the best start in life," Ashley said, "he was so upbeat and didn’t have a care in the world as long as you were giving him belly rubs. He’s remained this goofy loveable boy despite his medical ailments and always brings a smile to staff members faces."
Along with the invisible ailments of heartworms, Lyme and Ehrlichia, and a urinary condition (the latter three were only diagnosed after his arrival), Harris also has some very visible, and very endearing, scars. Due to nerve damage from an old, long-healed injury, Harris's tongue always hangs from the left of his mouth. He lacks some feeling but it doesn't inhibit him from eating, drinking or giving very enthusiastic kisses.
The host of medical diagnoses meant that it was several months before Harris would be available for adoption, and such a delay always means that while our shelter pet veterinary services team is at work getting a dog healthy, our behavior and training staff step in to ensure that the dog is getting plenty of enrichment. Trainer Hannah Fuqua describes him as a huge lovebug who only wants to snuggle. She knows him well as Harris spent many days hanging out in the office she shares with fellow trainer Deon Farmer.
Now that Harris has completed heartworm treatment and can be active again, this energetic dog, who we estimate to be 5 years old, is also enjoying going on runs with volunteers in our Running Buddies program. Hannah said, "he would be so much fun for anyone looking for an active dog!"
Harris was the first dog chosen for VCU photography student Erin Edgerton's lighting assignment, and the images she captured are pure hilarity—a perfect representation of his personality. After observing him in his living room in the adoption center, Erin was eager to photograph him. "When I met him again upstairs to take his photo he just nuzzled his face against my legs, squirming around, still so quiet," she said. "I think that is a true reflection of Harris's character as a dog. His is just one happy, hopeful pal looking for a happy, healthy home and he deserves that. How can you not swoon over his goofy smile, tongue hanging out and all?"
Tabitha Frizzell Treloar is the director of communications for the Richmond SPCA. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
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