It is with great regret that I must share the news that Harley Von Heineken passed away this morning.

He came to my family on Christmas Day in 1993; barely weaned from his mother at 4 weeks old. On his first day with us he filled us with joy, a feeling that never subsided. Even at that young age he was intelligent and quickly became an integral part of my family.

Harley lived a comfortable life and always had the best care that money could buy. He was surrounded daily by people that loved him, and he reciprocated the feeling. Always receptive to my moods, he knew when I wanted to be left alone, when I wanted to play, and when I just wanted him to sit or lie nearby.

Harley has been my bud, bro, confidant, and loyal companion throughout multiple assignments in Europe and the United States. He reassured me when I was deployed that he would take care of my family, and at least once I can credit him with saving my wife from injury, or more than likely, death. He was an Akita of immense proportions; 30 inches tall at the shoulder and 130lbs when he was in his prime - the largest AKC registered Akita I have ever been able to find.

For the last year we could tell that Harley was getting old. Groaning when he layed down and a little slow getting up, but he remained healthy. I just had him in to the vet last week for his arthritis medicine and the doctor stated that he was amazed at the blood workup, it looked like it came from a much younger dog. But he wasn't young, he was at his maximum life expectancy.

Time stops for no one, and I could tell the last couple of days that he was starting to fade. I'm thankful that my wife and I took some time last night to scratch, pet and pamper him before we went to bed. He just looked at us with a tired smile, shook his tail a bit, and went to sleep. Sometime during the night he must have taken his last breath and decided it was time to sleep forever. I only hope he was thinking of us when he died. I'll be thinking of him for a long, long time.

"Harley Von Heineken - Born 23 November 1993, Died 16 December 2003"

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BA, I feel for you. Pets can be members of the family, sometimes more so than humans.

Harley will be missed by PR, as well.

RIP

BA, My condolences. Reading that reminded me when my Dog Died when i was younger. And it brought back the feelings too. In time the wound will heal, but the feeling will remain tender.

My sympathies on your loss.

Sorry to hear of your familys loss BA.

Im sorry for that BA , I always stared at his pic for a few moments whenever I saw a post of yours, I feel sad now to.
Sounds like he had a good life though and again my condolences, one day you can meet him again at the other side of The Rainbow Bridge, thats where furry members of family reunite with ya.

BTW thats nice how u put it; you didnt get him, He came to you like all very special pets do.

I'm really sorry to hear about Harley, BA

Ahh, sonuvabitch dude...

I'm really sorry. Always hurts like hell when you lose a friend like that...

Sorry for the empty spot in your life BA.

I'll raise a beer and celebrate his life.

My most sincere condolences... it is hard to say good bye to a family member.

Sad to hear that BA, I've been hearing way too much bad news about people dying and bad things happening to people lately it's unbelievable. Our bird (Beaky) is an older finch and she just suddenly came down with something and it seemed like she was going to die. She's still with us, doing OK now, but I don't know if she is just "going from a woman to a grandma" or what, but it just happened right when a ton of other bad things are taken place. Off topic, but I recieved 4(FOUR) letters via express mail (that's a little more than $2 per envelope) stating that the paper routes my brother and I deliver to are cancelled as of mid January...just out of the blue.

When it rains it pours...and it sure isn't good. Has anyone else noticed all these bad things lately?

Sorry to hear it BA, I'm sure he will be missed, sounds like he was a faithful companion, and that's hard to replace.

Hang in there, and send him off with the respect he deserves.

Big Akita,

Yo PIMP...I am sorry for your loss. Keep your head up and that warm feeling in your heart for your departed family member.

Jazzyjazz

Thats quite sad. Long live the largest Akita the world has ever known.

Brandon Cisneros

Sorry to hear about your loss, BA.

When he went he was comfortable and knew he was loved by your family.

Still, if you were to loose a pet better that way than as the result some tragic event, like when my cat got hit by a car two years ago.

BA,i cant think of anything to add to what has already been said.
I'm Sorry for your loss,It's always tough to lose a part of the family.
R.I.P. Harley.
Godspeed.

Not to sound stupid but i feel how you do kinda, we had to put our cat to sleep about a month ago now. I was down in MEPS and i didnt even get a chance to spend and more time with her before she passed away.

got our cat when i was about 2-3 years old, i am now 18.


sorry to hear about Harley, and if i could do somthing i would, but time is the only thing that helps

Oh my, this is sad indeed

I'm very sorry about Harley BA, it seems like he was a great dog, and he looks so playful and nice.

RIP Harley

PS - Sorry bout the typo if anyone saw

Hey Brother,

So sorry to hear of your loss, I know how much he meant to you and your family.

I had a tear in my eye reading your post.