Harley

#09-035

At A Glance


  • Age: 23 years
  • Breed: Golden Retriever
  • Gender: Male
  • Weight: 94.00 lbs
  • Location: N/A
  • Status: Deceased

Profile


Sponsored by:Judith CummingsCharles Driver

   

 Johnson family                    Judith Cummings

The LeTourneau Fur-Kids - in memory of our Fur-Angels

 Shayna M.

       
Tonight we picked up Harley who was surrendered to RAGOM by a wonderful family.  He is 6 years old.  Unfortunately, Harley has a spindle cell tumor* on his foot that will require amputation of the leg to ensure it does not spread to the rest of his body.  It is not possible to remove just the tumor and the area around it because of its location between two digits on his paw.  At this point, it has not spread, so the surgery will take place as soon as possible.

This dog is wonderful.  He is loving, and loves to give kisses.  He met our other dogs without incident and doesn't mind the cats.  No accidents and now he is taking a little nap.  The one thing you must know about this boy is that he is BIG!  He weighs between 95-100 pounds, so he does have weight to lose.  We will work on that by feeding him some green beans so he is full but not getting excess calories.  Even when he gets down to a more ideal weight, he is still going to be a tall or big dog.  He can rest his chin on our kitchen table. 

He is a great dog for sure.  Check back for updates as we work with him through his surgery!  
 
*Some additional information on spindle cell tumors:  http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/articles/canine-spindle-cell-sarcoma.html


Above:  The tumor on Harley's paw.

Sponsor Harley

Dog Updates

  • dog update avatar
    1/16/2010
     We have always been the foster home to want to help dogs with medical problems so when Harley was in need of a foster to help him through a leg amputation we didn't think twice. Upon arriving to pick up Harley we found a beautiful dog who was loved to death by a wonderful family. In the almost one year Harley was with us he faced problem after problem but like a golden he was nothing but happy! A few days ago Harley began getting sick and just didn't seem like himself. Today an Xray showed...
  • dog update avatar
    1/5/2010
    Harley is having a great time in all the snow we have here in Iowa!  He is not fond of the cold we have had here as of late.  We have had to put socks and boots on his feet(only have 2 boots) for him to go out because if we don't by the time he potties he is laying in the snow unable to get up because his feet are so cold!  Poor guy!  He doesn't mind wearing them outside at all and it makes him much happier.  He will stay out longer making snow angels with them on b...
  • dog update avatar
    12/20/2009
    As a foster mom you want to do anything you can to see your foster dog happy. While Harley is always a happy-go-lucky guy, I just moments ago witnessed him the happiest I have ever seen him. It is snowing something fierce here (6 inches so far) so I went out to shovel a spot in the yard for everyone to go potty. When I opened the door Harley was the first one out and I watched in amazement as he bounded through the snow like a cheetah! His lips and ears were straight back and it was like he...
  • dog update avatar
    12/5/2009
    Woof! Woof! I thought I would stop by the RAGOM website to see what was going on and noticed all these pretty red and green triangles on all the dogs' pictures - so of course I had to check it out! Thank you SOOO much Johnson family for donating to RAGOM and choosing me! I am blushing even though you cannot tell through my red fur! :O) If your family has children make sure you give them an extra kiss from me this Christmas!! Also, Judith thank you for donating again towards my care - I am starti...
  • dog update avatar
    11/15/2009
    Harley continues to do well. We have found the best way to make it easier for him to get around is to have him on a small dose of pain medication. It seems to be just enough to help him out and he is moving like a champ. He has decided he sleeps on the bed regardless of who else is there ad moving the big lug is no easy task, so he usually wins. Nothing like free heat! :O) He has also discovered his voice and lets you know when it's time to eat or go out. He seems to have this internal alarm clo...
  • dog update avatar
    10/1/2009
    Well, we have taken Harley off the prednisone he was on after suffering some kind of temporary nerve problem about a month ago.  Since coming off the prednisone, he has been OK.  The muscle wasting he has going on in his head is becoming more and more noticeable.  The golden bump on the top of his head is very obvious and the muscle mass in his cheeks has been lost as well.  We do not have a cause for this muscle wasting but it is not causing him any kind of pain or discomfor...
  • dog update avatar
    9/8/2009
    Harley is still as happy as can be although he has a had a few tough weeks.  We noticed a few weeks ago he was unable to control his tongue.  Therefore, he was having a very difficult time eating.  He was seen in Ames and what could be wrong was narrowed down to some kind of nerve damage/problem in his head, a tumor of some kind, or nothing at all - just something odd that occurred with no explanation.  At this point, our only option is treating symptoms with prednisone....
  • dog update avatar
    8/2/2009
    Some new photos of Harley visiting my aunt camping - what dog doesn't want marshmallows?
  • dog update avatar
    7/14/2009
    Harley is doing well.  Last night he decided that he knew how to "speak."  If you say "What?" he barks!  He is a funny guy!  He loves to flop down for belly rubs, loves to chew on bones, and loves to run around the yard.  Since we now know exactly the kind of family Harley needs I thought I would pass that along:Harley needs another dog.  He doesn't like being left alone and is not destructive at all when he is but would be happiest with another dog.Harley needs a h...
  • dog update avatar
    6/7/2009
    Harley has been seizure free since May 19th which is fantastic!  He is facing one other problem - some weakness in his remaining back leg.  We are trying some medicine to see if we can get rid of the inflammation he could be having.  He has been taking it for 4 days and it seems to be helping.  This guy is so fun and loveable.  He doesn't always think before he does things (heck, we are all guilty of that) but at least he does take slipping or falling in stride.  He...
  • dog update avatar
    5/17/2009
    Harley spent this weekend with foster grandma after a short stay at the campground.  All the slippery floors in the camper and the narrow steps going in and out really took their toll on him.  The good news is that he has not had a seizure for more than week.  This is good because before they were coming every 5 days on the dot.  He is such a lover, and it makes us so happy to see the medication working for him!  He goes back for a check-up at the end of the month and we...
  • dog update avatar
    5/8/2009
    As fosters we see a lot of different things with the dogs we take in.  Our foster family likes to help those with extra special needs like Harley.  He is now 100% recovered from his amputation and getting around like a champ!Unfortunately, with Harley we have had to go through something we have never had to go through with any dog.  Harley has begun to have seizures.  He had one tonight which makes this his third one.  Right now, the pattern is every 5 days.  He is...
  • dog update avatar
    5/1/2009
    Harley here!  I'm checking in to let everyone know that I am doing well!  I spend more time outside these days, exploring the yard since I have built up so much muscle in my remaining back leg.  I am just a normal dog don't ya know?  Even though I am short one leg, I think I have one paw up on my foster brothers and sisters.   It seems like I always get the ball from FD!  No complaining here!On another note, I heard FM talking today and it turns out that my best gir...
  • dog update avatar
    4/6/2009
    Harley has made a full recovery!  He has even started running with the dogs in the backyard.  He is still a major people dog but has really started to enjoy being with other dogs.  He gives lots of kisses and will play from time to time.  He is not fond of someone taking his toys away but is good with giving warning signs.  I don't think there is a mean bone in this boy's body.  This weekend, we welcomed Hope, our previous foster, back for a visit and Harley met her...
  • dog update avatar
    3/30/2009
    Here's an update from Kim and Bruce who watched Harley over the weekend.  Sounds like he was a great houseguest:We had the pleasure of having Harley at our house this weekend while his FM and FD were gone for a wedding.  From start to finish he was the easiest houseguest ever!  When I picked him up, he jumped right into the van with me and traveled happily the 15 miles to our house.  He re-met our two dogs, Ginger (07-404) and Jackson (08-442), with no problems and settle...
  • dog update avatar
    3/29/2009
    Well, FM and FD just got back from a weekend out of town for a wedding.  Harley spent the weekend with RAGOM fosters/adopters, Kim and Bruce, and their two RAGOM dogs, Ginger and Jackson.  He did wonderfully and had an amazing time as you will by the new photos!  Harley is back to 100%!  Thank you, Kim and Bruce, for taking such good care of this sweetie!
  • dog update avatar
    3/1/2009
    We think Harley snuck to the library when we were gone the other night and checked out, "How to be a Dog."  :O)Yesterday, I could hear a ruckus in the living room.  This normally means the dogs have gotten out of control with their playing.  As I approached, I noticed it was Harley!  He had Sam pinned down on the living room floor and boy, they were having a great time!  When Harley saw me, he stopped and ran over to me with a big grin on his face.  I...
  • dog update avatar
    2/22/2009
    Well, Harley continues to struggle with some things but is just as happy as they come.  Last week, he had an allergic reaction to one of his medications and was throwing up for hours.  A trip to the vet made him feel much better.  Also, he now has to be on a prescription dog food.  He startles very easily and when he does, he gets sick.  :O( His amputation has healed beautifully (see below) and he is getting around like a real champ!  He went to Petsmart y...
  • dog update avatar
    2/12/2009
    Harley made it home today and is doing wonderfully! He has his hind foot wrapped to protect a sore but that will be coming off soon. He is eating well, walking wonderfully, and snuggling with the best of them. He even decided he wanted to lay on the sofa and jumped up there himself. He gets along great with all dogs, kids, and cats and is going to be a wonderful dog for someone.If interested, let your placement advisor know! More updates and photos to come. One thing we do know is he is a h...
  • dog update avatar
    2/11/2009
    Harley has had some complications with his amputation and has had to spend some extra time at the vet. He is doing well and we expect him to come home this week. He decided he should pull out all of his stitches/staples even with the cone on! He also developed some sores on his remaining hind leg that are being treated as well. He is getting around very well and we look forward to seeing him soon. More updates when he makes it home!
  • dog update avatar
    1/26/2009
    Harley made it home today from his amputation.  He is doing OK considering what he is going through.  More updates as he continues his recovery...
  • dog update avatar
    1/23/2009
    Just got word from the vet that Harley came through his amputation surgery with flying colors. He is on pain medication and doing lots of sleeping for today. Our vet is open 7 days a week so he will have lots of company this weekend. They took the leg at the hip which means they did not have to cut through any bone which makes it a much less painful procedure. They anticipate he will be 100% in 10 days. We look forward to seeing him Monday and look forward to speaking with people interested in a...
  • dog update avatar
    1/22/2009
    Well, tomorrow is the big day for Harley!  He goes in at 8am for his amputation and we will pick him up on Monday.  We sure are going to miss him.  I don't know who is going to snuggle with me all night.  I will send in an update as soon as he makes it home to let everyone know how he is doing.   To Harley's sponsor, Judith:  Thank you so much for your generous sponsorship of Harley.  People like you make it possible for RAGOM to help so many dogs...

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