09/25/2026
I want to tell you about Harley. ❤️
Not because he's new to the rescue. Actually, it's the complete opposite.
Harley has been with Rocket City Rescue since September of 2024.
Two years.
And for more than a year of that time, Harley has been living in boarding.
I think that's the part that gets me.
He comes to adoption events. He gets in the car and rides like a champ. He shows up with his big ol' smile, ready to go, and then the event ends and Harley goes back to boarding.
Again.
And again.
And again.
There used to be five dogs we would pick up from boarding for adoption events. Over time, one by one, four of those dogs found their homes.
Now there's just Harley.
He's the last one.
He still gets picked up. He still gets excited to go. He still shows up with that big ol' smile, ready for someone to notice him.
And when the event is over, he's the one we take back.
Meanwhile, dogs have come into the rescue after him and found their families. Even the dog Harley originally came in with has been adopted.
But Harley is still waiting.
And I really don't understand how nobody has chosen him yet.
Harley is a 3-year-old, 70-pound pitty mix with the biggest, squishiest head and is really just a sweet, laid-back guy. He's not some crazy, high-energy dog who needs you to run five miles a day. Harley would be perfectly happy being your couch potato and hanging out with his person.
He's potty trained, crate trained, rides great in the car, and when he knows and trusts you, he is just the sweetest boy.
Is Harley the dog for every home? No.
He needs a home without children or cats. He's also unsure of some men, so he needs someone who understands that trust may take a little time. But we've also watched Harley build really special relationships with men too.
One of those people was Woody, an RCR volunteer we recently lost. Harley loved Woody, and Woody loved Harley. He took the time to earn Harley's trust, and Harley let him into his world. ❤️
He's also built trust with some of the men who care for him at boarding. Harley may not trust every person right away, but we've seen what happens when he's given the time to get there.
Harley also came to us heartworm positive. He made it through that chapter too and is doing well.
And maybe I'm a little emotional about this one, but I don't want to be writing another post a year from now saying Harley is still living in boarding.
I want somebody to finally look at him and see past the things that make his adoption pool a little smaller.
See the big goofy smile.
See the couch potato.
See the sweet, 70-pound guy who just wants his person.
See a dog who has spent two years watching other dogs get their turn and is still waiting for his.
There is a home out there for Harley. I genuinely believe that. It may look a little different than the home we're looking for with some of our other dogs, and that's okay.
He doesn't need everyone to want him.
He just needs one person to finally choose him.
Please share Harley.
I hope someday soon that big smile is because he's leaving boarding for the very last time. ❤️
To apply for Harley, please visit www.rocketcityrescue.org
