After five long weeks away, my best friend is back in town.
And he is in full blown maniac mode. He had a taste of summer back in Nebraska and now it’s all he can think about it. He’s already got me back on a 10 walks per day schedule. I’ve got scratches on my face from where he slapped me when I wasn’t moving quick enough for him. My phone has a new crack in it from when he hit it out of my hands because I wasn’t paying enough attention to him.
But don’t judge him for it, he doesn’t mean any harm. He’s like J.K. Simmons in Whiplash, he’s just trying to make me better.
We were at the park yesterday and someone asked me how old my “puppy” was. They asked me this as Harlow was attempting to climb a tree after a squirrel, all the while barking loudly like a possessed idiot. My puppy is almost five. And he has not settled down a moment since the day I brought him home 4.5 years ago.
For those of you that don’t know, Harlow is a Vizsla. And here’s the thing about Vizslas- they are crazy. They are known for being high energy nutty little monsters. I saw a Vizsla at the dog park the other day who was 12 years old, completely white in the face, but had more energy than any other dog in the park. And I laughed because I know that will be Harlow someday. Vizslas just don’t slow down.
And here’s the other thing Vizslas are known for, they are truly the biggest lap dogs you will ever find. Their breed is called the “velcro dog.” Harlow is literally at my side 100% of the time. If I’m standing, he’s leaning into me, and if I’m sitting, he’s sitting on me. When I shower, he’s laying on the rug just outside the shower. And don’t even get me started on the bedtime situation, most nights we share a pillow and lay face to face like we’re two little girls at a sleepover sharing secrets. It’s weird, but what can you do. Probably lay down some rules because he is just a dog after all right? Wrong. He’s a Harlow.
That being said, I really can’t imagine not having my crazy clingy and wild Har Har in my life. I would have 100 Harlows if I could.
I didn’t intend for this to turn into a Vizsla informational post today, but Harlow insisted. Their breed is also super vain. Just look at today’s insta post. Harlow invented the phrase “I can’t even.”
Someone tell me I’m not the only one with a crazy dog who runs my life? There’s more of us out there…right?
Love love love! I share my bed with 5 fur-babies and I wouldn't have it any other way!!! My lab mix is almost 9 and the other day a neighbor said, "Oh how sweet! How old is your puppy? 1?" I couldn't help, but laugh. She may drive me bonkers with her energy sometimes, but I really wouldn't have it any other way!! <3
I have two "working" dogs. that means they will always be hyper. MIchael "Loves it". he thinks it's just great. he doesnt stay at home with them all day long.
You are definitely not the only one. My dog is my shadow and I absolutely love it! I've never had a dog more loyal than my Melvin. He is seriously my baby!!
My vizsla, Murphy, is everything you described about Harlow. He also seems to be part cat – perching on the top of the couch and weaving through our legs anytime we stand still (which he doesn't let us do often.) He's so weird, and I love it!
haha yes! Vizslas are definitely part cat for sure! Harlow also paws at me like my cats used to, where he reaches out and digs his claws into my arm. Super "cute."
I LOVE hearing about Harlow and seeing him on my insta feed! My dog, Millie, is over two now and people still assume she's a "puppy." She's a goldendoodle and totally awesome–she thinks she's a lap dog as well. If there isn't room for her on the couch, she will stand next to it and whine and cry until my husband and stretch out, and she hops up and spreads out across our laps. We constantly talk about her when we're away from her, and today my husband is dropping her off at my office on his way to play golf. Totally unnecessary, but I am working a little later than normal and I miss that face. So, no, you are not the only one 🙂
Archie and I sleep the exact same way. The three of us basically make a lowercase "n" in bed at night. Sometimes I get his face, sometimes his butt. It doesn't really bother me either way. I forget what it's like to have personal space and yet I somehow don't care at all.
Bailey (my border collie) and I fight over the pillows nightly.. recently she's been weaseling her way under the blankets too and kicking me out of the way. I think it's only a matter of time before I get demoted to the couch!
I have two dogter princesses, Pepper & Roni, a Lab-Sheperd mix and a teacup Pomeranian. It's the 5.6 lb babe that causes a stir for everyone. We're in this together!
Absolutely! Except mine is a 2 pound Yorkie with alopecia. And she probably thinks she's the size of Harlow.
Nope, you're not alone! My beagle mix, Sheba, is 5 and a half and people still think she's a puppy. She's also queen of the house and never leaves my side!
My teacup yorkie absolutely runs the show. He sleeps in the crook of my neck each and every night and has to be thisclose at all the times. He also sleeps on my bath mat. His hair cuts cost more than mine, but I wouldn't trade the high maintenance critter for anything.
I love your relationship with Harlow!!!
I have a 2yr old Chocolate Lab as well, total Velcro Dog. If we leave the door cracked when showering or using the loo, shes always barging in to see whats going on. No privacy at all! But who cares, my husband and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Vizslas are the best. Matilda runs our house and she always get the best position in bed. She'll get quite pissy if we try to move her. However, she curls up so tiny sometimes under the covers you don't usually even notice.
And she does the same thing as Harlow to me when I'm in the shower. Or on the toilet. She just sits there staring at me.
reunited and it feeeeeels so goooood! I was waiting for this post, and seriously stunned that you went for a recap before a Harlow post.
I have an almost 7 year old toy fox terrier and he is literally my shadow. I can't even go into the other room without him freaking out about me being out of sight when I am home. But, I wouldn't trade it because he is the sweetest dog and so incredibly loyal, but yup, he completely runs our house! haha
Ha if you have a dog and they don't run your life your doing it wrong. You can't say no to such a cute face. And really who else loves you more? They deserve it 🙂
Bahaha love this! I can totally relate. I have a German shepherd/husky mix who regularly slaps me and yells at me when I'm not paying attention to her or she wants to go on her 8th outing before noon. She also "corrects" me when I'm being bad or not doing things to her liking. She's only two, but I don't see things changing any time soon. We didn't pick the dog who was sleeping; We picked the dog who charged me and then chewed a button off my coat. I guess she chose me 😉 People assume she's like 10 months old all the time lol Her and Harlow would get along just fine!
"And don't even get me started on the bedtime situation, most nights we share a pillow and lay face to face like we're two little girls at a sleepover sharing secrets." … I die. I also learned a lot that I previously didn't know about vizslas from this post; velcro breed, who knew? Anywho,happy Friday!
THIS IS SPOT ON! I too have a "Velcro dog", a Weimaraner named Mort. I think the breed is a close cousin to the Vizsla. They are silvery/gray and about 20 pounds heavier. Pretty much every thing you said about Harlow is par for the course for Mort, right down to waiting next to the tub on the rug. Thank God he has never tried to get in…yet!
We lucked out and thank goodness. We have Vino the Vizsla and Yadi the Weimaraner. As I'm sure you know, Weims have identical personalities. Yadi is Harlow. Without a doubt. But Vino, she missed the pointer memo. While she does have some of the traits (lap dog!) she isn't too Velcro, and doesn't have insane energy. And thank goodness because Yadi is enough complete Tasmanian devil for the both of them. But I love it. There is NEVER a dull moment in this house. Not to mention, is there any dog more beautiful than a Vizsla? Absolutely not!!!!! Harlow is quite the handsome man and Vino agrees 😉