“The choice that you, as a Soul, have in relation to anything is always to be loving. Do you understand that this is the divine purpose that all of us as humans have been given – to love unconditionally? “~ John Morton
We’ve always had rescue dogs; dogs that had nowhere else to go, dogs that desperately needed a chance at life. And then we got Harry. Harry was the first dog we hadn’t rescued. He came from the same breeder we’d received our old dog, Charlie from. But Charlie was going to be put down because he was a cross-breed and the litter of pups couldn’t be homed. Harry was a puppy from a pedigree litter, and marked for sale. There was no chance he’d end up unwanted. Harry’s the dead spit of Charlie in behaviour, and we swear our old friend’s come back to us in a new body.
But take a look at the picture below. It wasn’t evident when Harry was a tiny pup, but he has a severe overbite – his lower jaw isn’t growing as fast as his upper jaw, and it’s presenting a range of problems.
Harry’s lower canines started to drill right into the soft palate in the top of his mouth, so we had to have them pulled. It was the perfect opportunity to have him neutered as well. The poor little chap took it in his stride, and since the bucket came off his head, he hasn’t missed a beat.
He’ll need more surgery as he gets older and his adult teeth come through. It’s a wait and see game right now. We just need to make sure that his mouth is comfortable and that his teeth aren’t going to cause pain or further damage.
Harry comes from a long line of show dogs and working dogs, and we rang the breeder to let him know about Harry’s jaw problem. Benson offered to take the pup back and replace him with another. And then told us if we were going to knock him on the head he’d give us our money back. Knocking him on the head was Benson’s plan for our pup. A dog like that doesn’t deserve to live, he said. No good for anything.
Harry was originally intended for another owner – a man who breeds and shows dogs, and who needs perfection. There is no doubt in our minds that Harry would have been put down for being genetically flawed.
Well, that’s not going to happen in our household. We’re all a little flawed here, but that doesn’t deem any of us less worthy of love, less deserving of a chance at our best life.
Harry’s got a forever home here with us. And he’s going to be just fine.
Beautiful, beautiful Harry! Such a wonderful boy with equally wonderful parents 🙂
You know, I had exactly that same problem when I was a little girl, and it was the least of my individualities. Thank goodness my mother got it fixed instead of knocking me over the head, although I’m sure she was tempted to more than a few times. And thank goodness for people like you. Keep calm and Harry on! 🙂
Yes, thank goodness your Mum loved you as you are!!! That last bit cracked me up BTW. Thanks 😀 xx
This is such a beautiful and touching story. Thanks for sharing, Nicole.
Hey Dienna! Thanks for stopping by. Much love to you xx
ahh, poor little Harry — I hope his mouth will be comfortable especially with teething … yes, we are all imperfect, and I am thankful he is in your care rather than another. No matter — he is a precious boy! 😀
He IS precious, and we love him, and that’s all that matters. xo
It always makes me sad when people can just throw away a life, due to imperfections.
All life is an imperfection. We are put here to find the beauty which lays beyond them.
You are absolutely wonderful for keeping this lovely boy, bless your heart…
It’s really no hardship to keep this boy. He’s a blessing wrapped in fur!
Okay, you made me cry! The quote you started with is perfect, but then you really got me with your dog story. I LOVE this blog.
Jennifer x
Aw, thank you so much ♥♥♥
Dogs love us unconditionally, and they deserve no less from us. What a blessing that Harry found you and your kind & loving family. Yay for “happily ever after”! –Lucinda
Thanks Lucinda! 😀 xx
Truly perfect. Harry is too!
We think so!
harry is a lucky little soul and a very cute one at that! I am glad i’m not a dog, with my wonky face (cheers to bells palsy) I would’ve been knocked on the head as a pup! hope all’s well….. arohanui xx
Puppy kisses for your wonky beautiful face, and much love to you xx
I just love how life works out so perfectly. This post again confirms to me that there is a higher power out there, a force unlike no other. There is no doubt in my mind as there is none in yours that Harry was always destined for you. Destined to be loved and given life <3
I feel that way too. How can I not believe in that higher power when there is so much evidence of it all around me? ♥
Luckily Harry had chosen you and you love him unconditionally. Love you too!!!
{{{HUGSS} and puppy cuddles for you, Jetske! xoxoxo ♥
Bless you Nicole, you are a beautiful person and the chosen guardian for Harry in this life. Thank you xxx K
I feel like I’m the blessed one! xx
Sweet! Harry is adorable — lucky him to have *found* you, and lucky you to have *found* him. Life = the gift that keeps on giving!
LOVE YOU
xoxoxoxo
What a great way to put it, Mudd!!! 😀 Love you too! xoxo
My heart is melting. There is a reason that Harry came to you, despite your preference for rescue dogs, despite having another owner lined up. As Nicky said above, Harry is a “preemptive rescue dog”. Because of you, rescue is not needed.
And he sure is a cutie!
He is a little on the cute I side, I have to agree… 😀
A few things in the Universe conspired to inspire, and a wrote a blog about a rescue dog ( not ours ) with a request for readers to add any shelters they support. If you have one in mind, please feel free to add it!
Blessings to you and Harry came to you for blessing, to receive and to give.
Thanks Joss ♥ xo
Good for you Nicole. Yes we are all flawed. Obviously that breeder doesn’t think he is!
LOL. Love you, Marilyn xo
I know not pleasant for all concerned but my face smiled as I thought of Harry, an actual canine minus some canine teeth. And, Harry is your first preemptive rescue dog. Always believe animals and humans find each other.
A preemptive rescue dog? Nicky, you’re exactly right!!! {{{HUGS}}}
Aw, I’m so glad Harry ended up with you! Imagine killing an animal because of a fairly benign “flaw”. Thank goodness Harry has you! 😀 <3
I know, I just don’t understand some people…
Good thing there are kind heart’d people like yourself 😀
The breeder has a very “old school” attitude to breeding dogs by the sounds of it. The part about your old dog being unwanted as he was a crossbred made me giggle a bit. The breed itself is a crossbred. Your pup is a very alert and intelligent looking little guy and knowing the breed he will reward your kindness with affection, loyalty and companionship.
Thanks Cameron! He’s a great little fella with a terrific nature, and all the makings of a good working dog as well as a true friend. What more could I want?
Harry was meant for you. We have a similiar story with Minty, lucky for us we have pet insurance … but even if we didn’t we would have found the money somewhere for all the vet bills. The love and joy we get from our funny hipped, allergic to everything dog is beyond comparison, and the main thing for us is that we look after her so she is always comfortable. Yay for Harry!
Hooray for pet insurance, and lucky, clever Minty to have found you Lindy!!! Love you xoxo
looks perfectly harry to me! sx
I think so too xx
Good for you Nicole, go Harry go!!!!!
We to are taking on an old, tired, retired working dog called Rosa. She can peacefully end her days here with us.
Bless you, and bless Rosa too. It’s a special heart that can welcome in an old dog…
Go Harry !!!
Oh, he does, believe me! Crazy mad puppy that he is…
Such a bright-eyed beautiful creature he is 🙂 Seems life is always saying ‘more will be revealed’. Thank Godde Harry ended up with you!!!
I’d say we’re the lucky ones, Mia. Harry is a beautiful boy, and so full of love. 😀 xx
Aww! 🙂 He certainly is, Nicole. My cat just crawled into my lap/arms as if to tell me “and so are you a lucky one!” She’s also a rescue, and I’d been looking for *her* for 18 years. Love!
Awww, this brought tears to my eyes, Nicole. Harry is very lucky to have a forever home with you, and I’m sure he’s well aware that he is safe and loved there. I just hate to think of anyone or anything being unloved, unwanted or destroyed because of imperfections. My almost blind, flawed, 18-year-old, one-eyed, toothless little Annie is safe and happy with me for as long as she decides to remain here, and I know she loves me with all my flaws and imperfections as much as I love her. xoxox
Little toothless Annie reminds me of the story of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Do you know it?
Oh yes! Not only do I know it, The Velveteen Rabbit has always been one of my favorites! I absolutely love it! This part always makes me cry: “Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” Thanks for the lovely memory this morning … xoxox
Makes me cry too… {{{HUGS}}}
Hugs and kisses!!
And some puppy licks to you too xx
Harry is absolutely beautiful! You can see the “smarts” in his bright, brown eyes. And despite his “flaw” has so much love and happiness to give. It makes my blood boil knowing there are people out there who can’t feel for and respect the creatures around them. What a relief to know Harry has real, unconditional love.
Thanks Annie. We’re so glad it worked out for him. He sure doesn’t go short on love around here, and he gives it so willingly in return. Dogs make the best of friends!
Blessings to those who show acceptance, compassion, understanding and love for the quirky individuality that shines within us all xo
We’re all a little quirky, yes indeed! xoxo