Cuando llegó “delgado e sucio” y con una “deformidad facial” al refugio del Departamento de Servicios para Animales de San Diego en Carlsbad...
Cuando llegó “delgado e sucio” y con una “deformidad facial” al refugio del Departamento de Servicios para Animales de San Diego en Carlsbad, California, en septiembre, Harvey recibió el nombre del personaje de DC Comics Harvey Dent o “Dos Caras”, uno de El archienemigo de Batman. “Tiene una sonrisa torcida”, dijo a Fox News Digital Joy Ollinger, de 44 años, teniente del Departamento de Servicios para Animales de San Diego.“Nuestros veterinarios lo examinaron y dicen que la malformación de su cara tal vez se deba a una mordedura cuando era un cachorro muy pequeño. No conoce ninguna diferencia y eso no le afecta”.
Sin embargo, esto parecía preocupar a los posibles adoptantes, señaló Ollinger.
"La gente pasaba junto a él y simplemente ni siquiera le daba una segunda mirada", dijo Ollinger a Fox News Digital.
“I actually heard people saying he was unattractive due of his facial deformities. And then the whole time he was there, no one requested to take him out for an encounter or prospective adoption. Not once throughout the whole time.”
The refuge accommodates roughly 110 dogs at a time, Ollinger said.
“We get so many people going through, and it just made us sad because we love Harvey.” Ollinger said. “We saw how much he had to contribute.”
Ollinger began bringing Harvey, who she estimated to be almost two years old, into her office to get to know him better.
“He’s extremely kind and he’s quiet and he’s clever.” Ollinger added. “He craves attention and he would lay at my feet. He was usually really interested in anything I was doing. As I was typing, he would bring his front paw up and gaze at the keyboard.”
Ollinger produced a Facebook post detailing Harvey’s characteristics and why someone should give him a chance.
“Harvey is a quiet and easygoing husky who gets along with other dogs and loves treats.” she wrote in the post.
“Harvey has a facial abnormality that doesn’t affect him but gives him a lopsided smile. I think it makes him even more lovable.”Sherry Lankston, 41, of Woodinville, Washington, was immediately charmed — and reacted to the post from more than 1,000 miles away.
“I wasn’t actively hunting for a new fur baby, but this guy’s adorable face has me swooning.” she said on the post.
“The first time I saw Harvey’s goofy smile, I was like, ‘Oh my my, that’s the prettiest dog ever.” Lankston told Fox News Digital.
“I noticed his goofiness and I thought ‘I found our dog.’” Lankston recalled. “He was so weird and lovely.”
Within three days, Lankston had packed up her kids — Harrison, 7, and Fionnlagh, 4, – and went to Carlsbad. The drive there took more than 20 hours.
“So [Lankston] came out to me one evening, packed her car the next day and then was off the next day,” Ollinger added.
“And then it took her, I guess, three days to drive down.” Ollinger remarked.
When the Lankstons were initially introduced to Harvey, it was love at first sight, Ollinger recalled.
“That was very adorable,” Ollinger added. “He quickly took to her and her kids. Sherry brought her dog, River, all the way down too. Harvey and River really hit it off as well.”
Harvey was quiet and hesitant at first, Lankston added.“He passed the first test — or we passed the first test, I guess.” Lankston joked. “The next one was bringing in our dog River. She’s a shelter dog as well and so, she’s had baggage, but honestly they did wonderful. They had a couple sniffs here and there, and then she’s like, ‘OK cool.’”
Then Sherry’s husband, Robert, traveled down the next day to see Harvey — and suddenly Harvey had met the whole family.
"Harvey simplemente se acercó a su marido y se apoyó en sus piernas". afirmó Ollinger. "Eso fue precioso".
A la mañana siguiente, los Lankston recogieron a Harvey y comenzaron el largo viaje a casa. Ollinger dijo que ver a Harvey alejarse fue agridulce.
"Me habría entristecido, pero Sherry Lankston y yo nos hemos hecho amigos y nos hemos estado enviando mensajes casi todos los días". añadió Ollinger.
"Ha sido increíble". comentó Ollinger. "Ella me envía imágenes y videos de Harvey todo el tiempo".
"Dijo que estaban conduciendo vehículos todo terreno en el desierto cuando descubrieron a Harvey y dos perras debajo de un arbusto". Dijo Lankston.
“We were able to convince him to follow us with the two girls for miles back to our car.” the woman wrote to Lankston.“He saved the other two girl Huskies’ lives. The girls were quite terrified of ATVs, but he helped them and wouldn’t leave them behind. We had no leashes or anything, and [were] in the middle of nowhere and he helped them so much. He’s the only reason they were alive.”
The crew took them back to their tent, Lankston added, and gave them chicken hamburger patties and strawberries.
“I think they were very delighted with their first supper.” the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, wrote to Lankston.
Since he’s been home, Lankston said Harvey is prospering.
"Tenerlo aquí es increíble". -comentó Lankston. “Está jugando con los niños, está jugando con nosotros. A River le tomó uno o dos días calmarse y comprender que no solo está de visita. Él está aquí para siempre”.
Harvey va conociendo progresivamente a los demás miembros de la familia Lankston: cuatro gatos llamados Angel, Nimitz, Mak y Momo y un caracol llamado Gary que serán liberados cuando llegue la primavera a Washington, añadió Lankston.
Ollinger dijo que espera que la historia de Harvey enseñe a la gente a no juzgar a un perro por sus defectos.
“Dales una oportunidad. Es fácil enamorarse del perro más bonito o del gatito más lindo, pero todos necesitan un hogar, así que pruébalos a todos”. Dijo Ollinger.
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