Hartley was born on March 21, 2006. He was driven from Missouri and placed into my arms and heart in Arvada, Colorado at 2:00 a.m., where he never left. Hartley was a happy, hungry, vocal, strong-willed, mischievous, cuddly and infinitely loved Puggle. He was my son, my love, my best friend, my companion and my home. He enjoyed terrorizing his kitty cat, Carlos, eating anything and everything, going camping, watching movies and cuddling on the couch, riding in the car, and being anywhere that mom was. We had many adventures over the span of almost 14 years together. He saw me through break-ups, career changes, my parent’s divorce, the loss of my brother, trauma, my nephews/nieces, the loss of all of my grandparents, and was right by my side when I met my husband & step-kids. In 2019 Hartley started having some seizures and underwent significant testing. He was diagnosed with diabetes. He was put on 2 daily insulin injections, and a special diet. He passed on about 6 months later, on December 6th, 2019 when he experienced multiple seizures through the night and the next morning, thought to be tied to possible lung and/or brain cancer. Words cannot even come close to adequately expressing the devastation of this loss in my heart and my life, or the gratitude and appreciation that I have for the time that I did get to spend with him. He will always hold a large and irreplaceable place in my heart. He taught me how much love I was truly capable of, and saved my life and heart on more than one occasion. I look forward to someday seeing him running towards me with his tongue out, ears flopping and tilted head smile. I miss him every single day…I did, I still do, and will always will love him and deeply and forever.
