Harvey and Rio

 Bevin got Rio in the fall of 2012 - he was a Silver Lab and so handsome. He was athletic, and smart and filled Bevin's life with joy. 

Bevin had agreed to go with me to Vancouver to pick up Harvey when he landed. We decided to bring Rio along as a distraction for Harvey on the long drive home. We picked up Harvey and let him decompress for a while in the grass by the airport and we decided to go somewhere more quiet. We drove for a bit and the only safe place to let them run were some fenced-in tennis courts. We took the boys there and let them go inside as it was fully fenced. Rio took off running burning off the energy from being in the car for so long. Harvey "ran" after him. He looked like a baby giraffe who was learning how to walk. His legs were moving fast but he wasn't. I don't know if he had ever run for fun before - probably not.

We loaded back up in the car and headed for home. With the seats out of the back of Bevin's car, they had the wole back area, covered in dog beds, to play. They wrestled the entire 4 hours home. You could feel the car moving back and forth from the force of them slamming each other trying to be top dog. 

From that day on they were the best of friends. Harvey, being the reactive boy he was, had a very small circle of friends. In all honesty, Rio was his only true dog friend. We walked, swam, hiked and rode bikes together.If they were at the other's house it would be a non-stop wrestlemania. Fighting for toys, a spot on the furniture, or just to see who was fastest. 

One summer Bevin was going out of town so she boarded Rio at a kennel that I normally used. I had to go away close to the ssame time and took Harvey there at the same time - a few days later. On my way back to town I could see a column of smoke rising from the area that the kennel was at. When I got further up the road it was closed for a wildfire. I had to detour around through Salmon Arm and home. This meant that I could not get to the dogs. I spent a restless night on the phone trying to get information on the kennel and their sheep farm - and how close the fire was. In the morning I headed back to the kennel. The road was still closed but since I talked my way through the roadblock and got closer to the fire. I went to the RCMP roadblock and spoke with the officer. I explained my dogs were up at the kennel. He told me the fire had moved by close to the kennel and the area was still evacuated. I pleaded my case and he said as soon as another officer arrived he would get him to escort me up. The officer arrived and called me over. I explained where the ranch was - 7km up the road. I asked how fast I could drive and he said "Just don't lose me". We were off. We got to the kennel and the fire was 500m away accross a hay field. The owner met me and we ran to get the dogs. I don't even know if they recognized me. I led them to the car and we left. I opned the back windows and flooded the car with fresh air. Harvey hung his head out of the window gulping air and Rio tucked in behind him looking for safety behind hisd big friend.

I got them home and sat outside with them. They were both pretty strung out. The noise and smoke and helicopters and airtankers overhead at the ranch put a lot of stress on them. They needed to relax. Finally they calmed and they crashed in the house. They both slept for 3 hours soundly. It was hot and sunny still so went went to the river. They both bolted for the water and just soaked for hours feeling the flow and energy of the water. The sun set and we headed home for dinner and sleep.  

Bevim sent me 2 photos of the boys last night. One was 2018 and the other must have been 2022 or so. This the one from 2016 - so they were both about 2 years old. despite having 2 beds side by side they decide to lay on the same one just to be close. 

This phot is from 2022 or so. Both laying on Bevin's bed - a mirror image of each other. 

 When out in public together, Harvey kept a close eye on Rio and warned away dogs and people when they got too close to Rio. In the entire time as friends I never saw them snap or snarl at one anothert. They got along and were affectionate and loving with one another when it was quiet time. 

Rio passed in May 2024. He had developed servere hip displasia and lost all of his mobility. It broke Bevin's heart but she had to do what was best for Rio. The day Rio passed, Harvey was laying on the front deck acting sad. He didn't want to walk so I sat on the deck beside him and we spent a quiet afternoon remembering our friend. Despite them not being in direct contact, I beleive Harvey knew that his best friend had left. I have no doubts about it.