Harvey's Homecoming
A dog rescued from the streets comes hoe for the New Year.
My husband is in the military. His last tour of duty on the beautiful island of Palawan led him to meet Harvey. Settling into his new quarters, Harvey hung out on his porch everyday, sleeping on his cushioned wicker set and stubbornly walking back and forth with his soiled paws leaving marks all over. My husband is a nitpicker for tidiness. He was annoyed with Harvey’s tracks on his mopped floors. This and for many reasons, he is not into dogs and other pets.
As the days rolled over and in the lull of our regular phone calls, I would hear his stories of how Harvey had endeared himself to my husband. Once I visited him, I saw Harvey blocking the road as his vehicle approached the quarters, the headlights putting a spotlight on Harvey, all lighted up to welcome my husband home. Once, I woke up and found my husband had left my side in bed. I peeked out the jalousies and saw him walking early in the morning, with Harvey by his side. The clincher was when I saw Harvey midday, jump up at him, his paws leaving marks on the white military uniform. My husband normally cannot withstand this, but with Harvey, he let out just a little whimper and did not make a fuss. Good boy!
Harvey has won him over. This validates my faith that I married a very kind man because as they say, these furry creatures bring out the natural good in human nature.
After a few months, the Palawan tour of duty has ended. What about Harvey?
As I was left packing bags again, I thought of leaving a note for the new officer occupying the quarters —-
“Harvey found his way to this home, looking for food and attention. He is strong and extremely loyal. Look at his eyes, and you will see a true friend-in-waiting. Sadly, he has a large cyst by his bum, undiagnosed. As he is left on his own again, we hope he finds a stranger like we once were, who will give him a little care and attention because kindness, no matter how small, goes a long way to feed our souls. Theirs, too. Give him water. Feed him. A little pat will do him well.”
Alas one day, the officer sent us a message that Harvey was wounded when he was in a fight with a pack of dogs. He hid under a truck for days and did not want to leave. He barely ate and just drank water. His cyst seemed to bother him more too.
I saw my husband calm throughout this ordeal. At first, I thought he did not care. He forgot about Harvey. With his ways, he found someone to help Harvey. It was November when a veterinarian finally checked him out. Harvey’s wound slowly healed as he was nourished. In December, his cyst was operated and removed. Before Christmas, he was up and about. It was good to know that he was going to be okay.
But on New Year’s Eve, Harvey arrived at our home.
In between his recovery and healing, my husband has worked out his flight to come home after a flurry of complications in documentary requirements and flight matters. And oh, poor Harvey! It was his first flight as a stray/ rescue dog. He has been through much. He arrived on our porch in a cage, too terrified to move with his ears all bent down and his eyes reeking of fear. He got out of the cage and ran to a truck where he hid himself again. It took almost an hour to get him to come out and submit himself to us.
When he did, we felt he was finally home. Now, my husband walks around camp, with Harvey by his side. Sometimes, they stand by the flagpole, side by side while my husband salutes in pride and gratitude.
Harvey is home.
Lucas in Annisquam, a beautiful creature in Digos, Diego’s tail in Townsville and a house cat in the wilderness.
Stepmum in Stilletos is an anonymous stepmother blog that is filled with experiential storytelling from a millennial stepmother who is also a practicing lawyer. She gives a wide range of tips for the go-getter stepmother. Experience her writing here.
