HarleyD's Story

1.⁠ ⁠What made you choose to adopt not shop?

We were living in Oman and were introduced to MDA by Kirsti, we helped with feeding the pups on the golf course where we lived and fostering dogs & cats when we could. We fostered “Billy” (as he was called then) for two days as he was between fosters and he was a “foster fail” - the dog we were “never” going to take home!

2.⁠ ⁠⁠What is HarleyD's backstory?

HarleyD (was Billy) was born at the golf course - one of three pups who were supported with feeding, with their mum, by another MDA volunteer. When the pups were only a few weeks old their mum was shot dead. The volunteer took the two pups she found in (the third was found months later being fed by the maintenance team on the golf course) and we fostered Billy when he was about 4 months old for a weekend when he was in between foster homes. We fell in love and decided to adopt him. Shortly afterwards we were repatriated to the UK during the Covid crisis. HarleyD was fostered by another family for 12 months before flying to the UK to join us.

3.⁠ ⁠⁠What was the most surprising thing you found about adopting a street dog?

I have had dogs all my life but, despite his difficult start & ongoing struggles, he’s the most loving dog I’ve ever owned. How we get stopped EVERY SINGLE DAY & asked “is he a Podenco?” I love to tell people all about him & the other wonderful wadi dogs.

4.⁠ ⁠⁠What were some challenges, and how did you overcome them?

HarleyD is a complicated creature, he is very fearful of anyone new and we work very hard to try and make his life as stress-free as possible. We can’t have strangers in the house and have to protect him from people when out and about.

He is also very intelligent and very food motivated so relatively easy to train - although he’s also very strong willed & despite winning “biggest ears” as a pup he is often known to switch them off completely!

5.⁠ ⁠⁠How did your wadi change your life?

HarleyD makes my life far more complicated but also far more full - I spend a lot of time alone (hubby still works in the Middle East and my daughter is at school) but he’s my constant companion & I fear nothing with him by my side.

6.⁠ ⁠⁠What is your favourite thing about your wadi?

I love how much he loves me & my daughter, how he cries with excitement when he sees friends and family he loves, his whole body wiggles, his chattiness and how he always has to have the last word!