Harkin came into my life the week he turned two. He was to be my new guide dog.  It is hard to know what to expect that first day but that afternoon when I sat on the floor he came over and sat in my lap it seemed to be a sign all would be just fine!  Harkin would prove to be an outstanding guide dog and an even better all around dog . There was no scenario as a guide he didn't handle with ease from the times we volunteered at the Boston Marathon to maneuvering a T station at rush hour ,to finding one's way on a snowy day down the sidewalk. He could even find elevators in stations he wasn't familiar with! His confidence and ease at which he moved made me feel safe and also confident as we navigated places together.  He was a natural even just on leash heeling he would stop at a curb or step.  

He enjoyed toys that made various sounds and chewing Nyla bones as well as playing with friends dogs. In addition to his playful side he had a gentle side to his broad chested self in that the toy with a funny sound could be stuffed and remain with its stuffing all along. He could encounter a dog nervous around big dogs and often they would start to feel at ease around him eventually.  He could have that effect on humans too we could get in a lyft with someone nervous about dogs and sometimes they would ultimately say oh he is good isn't he.  Thanks to his puppy era being spent with a wonderful family with three kids who got his foundation set to then go on to guide dog school training, he was also comfortable and enjoyed being amidst family gatherings and watching kids play and run around which worked out well as later there would be lots of neighborhood and family kids to do just that.  

This dog loved to work, loved to play and just be relaxing somewhere too. This dog truly could go with the flow.  Life was good with him he was healthy and enjoying life.  Then just before he turned nine we (my significant other and I)had to rush him to the vet one early Jan day as he wasn't right. We would later learn he had Hemangiosarcoma which if you know anything about it most dogs either don't make it off the operating table from or don't live very long after.  While the diagnosis was devastating there was hope because in Harkin's case it was caught early the cancer was contained to the spleen and it was gotten to before a true rupture.  He did well with surgery and prognosis was nine to twelve months if I was lucky I was told.  Well I explored options and treatment and turned out there was chemo we could try unsure of this I consulted not just his vet but the vet at the school I had gotten him and was told dogs often do better with chemo then humans, so arranged it via his vet and he was watched closely and he would responds well to it.  He felt well enough that he was able to continue working and in fact wanted to work so after consultation with both vets who knew him and history and one who was seeing him during treatment he was allowed to as it was contributing to his quality of life.  He wanted to so much that he would go and stand in front of the door if he saw me getting my jacket and his work was not changed in quality.  Harkin responded so well to treatment that every three months his follow ups would show clear x rays. He would gain the names Odds Defier and Superstar because one year would pass then the every three months would continue with clear results and looking good otherwise and at some point his vet even called him a superstar and as more time passed he would be called a miracle and just kept blowing the curve away for dogs with his diagnosis.  Harkin would continue working for quite a while after the diagnosis and he had to be convinced it was ok to hang up the harness!  He would live five years and change  post initial diagnosis.

I like to say he collected fans in animals and in humans as he moved through life.  How could anyone not like a smart,sweet, easy dog like him?  He had his raisers and their family, trainers, dogs, an occasional cat, friends who only saw pics of him on social media, random people who were impressed by him, everyone at his vets office, neighbors, friends and family, my significant other (and his dog who loved playing with Harkin, entertaining him and laying with him), and of course me.  If I could have had a superpower age would not have ultimately taken him. Our bond was special, he was special and will always be loved