Help Harlan and Onyx the dog

Hi to Everyone who has been asking if they can help out Harlan and his dog Onyx.

Update to the original story and post on social media November.26/2015

https://www.facebook.com/baumgartnerk/posts/10153713929133529

My name is Kevin Baumgartner of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada and I work for the telephone company Sasktel in the construction department.  This ‘Pay it Forward’ story began a couple weeks ago when I was working and passing through downtown Saskatoon and stopped for a coffee.  I noticed a man (Harlan) walking his dog.  His dog was lifting his paws from being so cold.

I walked past the gentleman at first.  When I turned and looked at him again I saw the dog stop and lift his paws.  I turned around and began speaking to Harlan at that time and asked him if he had any booties for his dog?  He responded "No, the ones I had for him before ripped."

I began speaking further with Harlan about his life and how he had got to where he was in life.  I asked him what had happened to the boots that Onyx used to have.  The boots that he had originally had been purchased by a lady who actually contacted me when she read about Harlan and Onyx on my facebook page.  She told me that she was the one who bought Onyx his other pair of boots and that she had helped him out too.

From there I went and purchased these rugged/padded nylon boots for Onyx from Pet Planet on (8th Street East) which is owned by friends of mine (Mike and Rochelle).  I returned to the spot I told Harlan to meet me back at.  We put the boots on his dog.  I also gave Harlan a gift card to Starbucks for the Christmas season and wished him well.

He was so thankful he gave me a hug.  Harlan never asked for anything.  He was SO thankful it broke my heart but also filled me with a feeling of being able to do a good deed!  Harlan does not ask for money.  If people offer him some money, he thanks them very much and they go on their way.

From there I posted the picture of Harlan, Onyx and I and gave a shout out to my friends Mike and Rochelle from Pet Planet for helping out with my purchase.  This is when things took off.  Social media exploded and people ‘Liked’ the post over 18,000 times and shared it over 4,000 times.  I never expected this but people felt the warmth of a good deed especially at this time of year and helping out our furry friends…. We love our PETS!

I received messages from all over.  Very kind and heartfelt messages.  Sorry I haven’t responded to everyone’s messages as there are just too many.   Lots of the messages I received are people wanting to help out.  I didn’t know Harlan or Onyx and I didn’t know how to find him.  I went looking around downtown a few times but didn’t see him around.  I received a message from a lady who also has helped him out a little with some kind supply’s and she told me he was staying in a camper in the backyard of a house on the West Side of our city.

I started to wonder about Harlan and Onyx and if they were safe and warm.  I’m not 100% sure why I continued on this but something told me not to let this go yet. I thought about it and also thought “I did a good deed” and that’s good enough but something kept telling me to continue with this more.   I went by one day and found no one at this camper.  I returned a couple more times and one early evening I found Harlan there with Onyx.  I was invited in this very old run down trailer which, for the most part, blocks the wind.  We talked and I found out about Harlan, his dog Onyx, his life and life of living on the street and growing up on the street.  His dad is on the streets in Vancouver in which Harlan hasn’t seen for years and has no involvement with or his mom.  Harlan’s "normal" is an extreme low level of poverty and living day to day to just keep warm and keep him and Onyx fed. 

This is something I have never witnessed first hand before in my life.  It ripped me apart in so many ways.  Why is this?  How is this possible?  We turn on our water at home and it gives us water, we turn on a light switch and it gives us light. My level of "normal” along with others is so much different then ones who wish their tap gave them water or switch gave them power and heat.  I know of poverty and aware it’s out there more then we know but seeing it up close and personal is completely different and one heck of a shock.

One thing I do know is that I can help.  I can help make things maybe a bit easier… maybe bring his level of normal up a bit.  I sure can’t change the world but I sure can make a difference in this one person’s life for starters.

So I began my longer "Pay it Forward".  Over one weekend I purchased some stuff from Lowe’s needed to insolate and Tuc tape this trailer.  I fixed up a few things to make it warmer and safer for Harlan and Onyx.

Onyx is a 3-year-old Black lab cross and was not registered with the city for a dog licence. I took care of that immediately for Harlan.  Onyx now has a licence tag on his collar and Harlan is very happy.  Good thing because animal control was called the other day on him for possibly having him off leash when sitting downtown.  Onyx was not and animal control checked his licence and talked with Harlan and they continued on their way.  I guess everything good happens for a reason.  This could have been all bad for Harlan and Onyx being taken away and kept until a fine and daily pound fees could have been paid to release a dog.  Harlan would have lost his dog and best friend possibly as he knew he had no money to get back his dog let alone the licence I just bought for him.

I have learned a good amount about Harlan and Onyx over the past couple weeks.  I have gathered and purchased some warm clothing, boots and more for Harlan.   An LED Lamp for the trailer, new heater and microwave (thanks to the nice lady in Saskatoon for the good deal on a used microwave and a bag of groceries she also wanted to give).   Harlan can now cook and warm up some food.  He only had a toaster before!  I fixed up some wiring that was melting due to bad connections, cords etc... making a safer place for them.

The electrical cord going into his trailer is plugged into the house on the property in which his only small monthly chq of income covers that electrical use and they consider the trailer his room and board to the landlord of the property.

I have bought Harlan some food along with the clothes and will continue to do so to bring Harlan’s level of normal upwards. As long as he needs some help for him and Onyx.  Also we used the tuc tape to seal up lots to stop the mouse problem.

I write this story to give everyone an update as there are lots of people asking me and sending messages asking if they can help.

I decided with some guidance to setup a "Go Fund Me" page for Harlan and Onyx.  It is so others can help "Pay It Forward" if they wish.   For everyone who has asked what does he still need, what does the dog still need and how can they help?  Well I feel this might be a good way for others to help who want too.

I have a plan to take Harlan and Onyx to my vet so Onyx can get the check up that he has never had.  Onyx has a little rash under his armpit and I don’t want to see it get infected.

Money funded will go towards Harlan and Onyx and anything they need to keep them fed, warm and safe.

I have explained to Harlan I can’t buy him smokes or booze.  Harlan does NOT do drugs.  Harlan is 31 years old and suffers from severe anxiety but Onyx helps calm him with that.

Harlan’s main concern is Onyx.  His dog is his world!

I will take care of getting and continuing to get Harlan and Onyx gift cards and vouchers for food, clothes and for transportation if needed via cab or some local transit.  Onyx is not always allowed on every bus.  Also, anything else that is needed for Onyx and Harlan to help out their lives the best way I can.

So let’s continue here and everywhere and “PAY IT FORWARD”!

Thanks everyone again for contacting me and asking how you can help.

I will post updates/pictures before and after of the camper Harlan and Onyx stay in along with some of the items already given to him.   Picture of Harlan, Onyx, my dog Kaimen and I and more can be seen from the link above to my facebook page.