The Southern Highlands very own celebrity pooch has passed away.
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Harley has long been a familiar face at celebrations across the Wingecarribee Shire and a regular on the pages of the Southern Highland News.
He first came to the attention of News' reporters through his quirky outfit and friendly nature at the Australia Day celebrations at Berrima in 2013. He was a stand out in the crowd and the perfect subject for a photograph.
A year later the patriotic pooch made front page of the paper linked to a story heralding the Australia Day activities for 2014. He continued to feature well in the newspaper over the years as he and his devoted human, Wendy Dalton, celebrated Highlands events such as Tulip Time and Australia Day each year.
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He was often the inspiration for poems written by Wendy.
But perhaps the most memorable features about Harley were his gentle nature and the fact that he always seemed to be smiling.
Sadly this lovable Shih Tzu passed away on September 29 at the age of 15 and a half.
His devoted owner Wendy said that as a pup, born on April 7, 2005, Harley was black with a white mark on his forehead.
"He was black, sleek and fast, and very cute," she said.
"His colour changed to a mixture of grey, black and white as he got older."
However, Wendy said he always had a gentle, loving, soft, caring little nature and he loved everyone.
"He was my inspiration for writing poetry with his calm, serene loving nature with many different facial expressions," she said.
"He always had a very big smile to greet you. As a puppy he never whimpered or cried from the first day he came home.
"He touched so many people's lives with his beautiful nature and cuteness."
Wendy said that Harley especially liked to give one or two licks to say "I love you" anytime, anywhere day or night.
She said he also loved visitors and thought they'd come to visit him.
"If he approved of them he would get his big fluffy dog and drop it at their feet for a game, always with a big smile on his face," she said.
"He enjoyed birthday and Christmas celebrations, especially his own when he was treated to a three-tiered, cooked beef patty birthday cake with candles.
"He also loved sitting, looking out the low glass windows or doors in wistful serenity."
Wendy said Australia Day in Berrima was a favourite as he sat on his own little Harley chair with his Australia Day hat and scarf, taking everything in.
"He always enjoyed being patted and having his photo taken with families or children," she said.
"Tulip Time was photo and poem time as Harley donned his tulip hat ready for all the tulips."
Wendy said that Harley was always very gentle with children and babies, however, while living on a farm he thought he was a cattle dog, and needed to round up the cattle.
"He loved playing "catch me if you can"," Wendy said.
"Bath time not his favourite thing but he always enjoyed a big roll around on the towel at the end.
"He would always would sit with you as close as possible, and comforting through good times and stressful times, he was always there beside us with reassuring little licks and gentle looks of compassion."
Wendy said that even on his last day Harley still gave special licks and a cuddle as he knew his time had come.
"There are so many wonderful memories, special characteristics and favourite things he loved to do that will keep flooding into mind every day," she said.
"Harley touched so many people's lives and hearts in so many different ways. He was exceptionally special and unique, a very precious and cherished gift from God.
"Harley left us on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. His little body was tired, but his bright little spirit was still so strong.
"Floral tributes, card, emails and texts have been coming in every day to remember this special little doggie ... "Harley"... the Southern Highlands celebrity and patriotic pooch."
Harley will be sadly missed by many, but most of all he will be missed by his loving family Wendy and David Dalton and their sons Lee and Greg.
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