I haven’t subjected myself to cable television for over five years – mostly because we don’t have it or satellite services and partially because I hate commercials interrupting my shows.
But, there are a few iconic ones that come to mind as online streaming services start selling advertising space between series or movie segments.
They vary from the annual Coke and polar bear ads to catchy jingles and other pop culture references.
However, the one that never failed to make me sad was the 2007 partnership between Sarah McLachlan and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – or ASPCA.
Up until that commercial debuted, I had no problem with McLachlan’s song “Angel” since I sang it almost every year in Show Choir back in the day.
But, pairing that song with the images of sad shelter pets?
It never fails to make me teary-eyed and simultaneously sad and angry at the way people treated those animals.
I only bring this up because our entire family has a weakness for pets with big, sad eyes.
Nothing has proved that more recently than the appearance of our rescue cat Bones and the newest edition to our lives, a Miniature Australian Shepherd puppy that picked the name “Harlee.”
To be fair, I’ve missed our Border Collie and Australian Shepherd mix Padme since we had to put her down a few years ago.
So, I’ve been trying to convince mom that we need another one even while my sister brought us our Cocker spaniel Penny last year.
Well, the Internet or Facebook powers that be were listening long enough and we came across a post for someone local rehoming Harlee.
According to my mom, those pictures were shot in the perfect way that seemed to make Harlee’s eyes practically peer into her soul and she was resolved to pick up the puppy that night!
I think it helped that Harlee has one blue eye and one brown with tons of personality and is very lovable.
Naturally, I was game for swooping in and rescuing this puppy who needed a new home more suited to her needs.
Harlee wasn’t abused or mistreated, she just needed a family that could make sure she got enough exercise and other animals to be social with.
And while adding another puppy to Mike’s walking entourage might be his limit – Harlee doesn’t need a leash like Penny since she sticks close to him and makes perfect use of her puppy “zoomy” energy.
We’ve also discovered that there is actually a limit to how many pets can sleep on mom and Mike’s bed, too.
After a few nights alternating beds, mom has decided that Harlee does better sleeping with me and sharing bed space with Bones rather than causing a puppy ruckus in her room at 4 a.m. or earlier.
My birthday is this Thursday and my siblings are set to visit for the weekend so we get to see how Harlee reacts to them.
Overall, she’s a sweet puppy and picks up things quickly – it only took us two days to teach her to sit for treats, and with more careful reinforcement soon she’ll be as automatic as Penny.
I still think the cutest thing Harlee does is scatter her toys all over the house and make Bones her personal best friend whenever possible.
