Oregon Dog Chained Outside For A Year Does Something In The Shelter That Changes His Life Forever
In Oregon, after being chained outside for a year due to his severe separation anxiety, a misunderstood dog finds the perfect family who is dedicated to making up for his lost time.
The Quietest Dog in the Room
In Oregon, for a highly anxious dog, being left alone is terrifying. But for a young puppy named Harvey, his previous family’s solution only made his fears worse.
Because he struggled with severe separation anxiety, he was chained up outside in a backyard. He spent at least a year of his life tethered and isolated from the comfort of a real home.
Eventually, the young dog was surrendered to the local pound. He had no idea that his lonely days were finally coming to an end.
In 2016, a man walked into the loud, chaotic shelter looking for a companion. Amidst the barking dogs, one kennel stood out.
Harvey was the only dog not making a sound. Intrigued by the quiet pup, the man asked to meet him outside.
The Magic Lean
When they were introduced in the shelter’s play yard, Harvey didn’t jump or act wild.
Instead, he walked right over and fully leaned his body weight against his visitor.
For his future dad, that simple gesture sealed the deal. Getting “the lean” from a shelter dog is a universal sign of trust.
Breaking Through the Anxiety
The adoption was a success, but Harvey brought his deep-seated fears to his new home.
His separation anxiety was so intense that he would desperately try to escape through windows.
He just wanted to find his dad whenever he left the house. It took immense patience to help him realize he wasn’t going to be abandoned again.
A Memorable First Date
In 2017, Olivia went on a first date with Harvey’s dad. For Olivia, a person’s relationship with their animal reveals a lot about their character.
When her date asked if she wanted to meet the dog waiting in the car, she didn’t hesitate.
Harvey was right up in her face, sniffing and greeting her. She was amazed at how social and happy the rescue dog was.
Oregon Adventures
With a solid support system, Harvey’s world began to expand. Living in Oregon, the family embraced the great outdoors.
Harvey transformed from an isolated backyard dog to an adventurous explorer.
He now goes on tons of adventures, whether he is out in the snow, skiing, or swimming in the local river.
A Surprising Genetic Mix
Visually, Harvey looks exactly like a pit bull and boxer mix.
However, his DNA results tell a completely different and baffling story.
He is actually a strange mix of Springer Spaniel, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler. His family jokes that no one would ever guess his true breed.
The Ultimate Empath
Now eight years old, Harvey has become incredibly attuned to Olivia’s emotions. But he is also a very smart judge of character.
He knows the difference between Olivia crying at a sad video on her phone and her having a genuinely hard day.
If she is just being dramatic over a video, he ignores it. But if she is truly emotional, he immediately tunes into the energy and offers comfort.
Learning to Relax
Over the years, the family worked tirelessly through Harvey’s anxieties.
He finally understands that his humans will always come back at the end of the day.
Today, he loves to bask independently in the sun, confident that he is safe and that his family is just inside the house.
A Ten-Pound Mindset
Harvey’s world has only gotten brighter. He even has a younger dog brother now, which has brought out an increasingly playful side to his personality.
Despite his size, he still firmly believes he is a 10-pound lap dog.
The moment his humans return from a long day, he is immediately up on the couch and crawling right into their laps.
Making Up for Lost Time
Because of his difficult past, Olivia and her partner go out of their way to ensure Harvey feels secure.
They add an extra layer of attentiveness and care to his daily routine, knowing the isolation he survived as a puppy.
For this once-chained dog, every single day is now about making up for lost time in the most beautiful, love-filled way possible.
