Fans across the world have been devastated to find out that Northern Ireland’s most famous dog has incurable cancer.
Loveable east Belfast dachshund Harley – aka Harlso the Balancing Hound – has gone viral countless times on social media, bringing joy to millions with his incredible ability to balance just about anything on his tiny head.
With nearly 600,000 followers combined across all platforms, Harlso rose to fame back in 2016 at just the age of two.
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Now, aged nearly 11, the poised pooch’s owners, Paul and Jennifer Lavery, have had to share some sad news about little Harlso with his supporters.
“A couple of weeks ago we found a mass in Harlso’s mouth,” they stated.
“Following a biopsy, unfortunately he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of mouth cancer.”
Harlso the hound owned by Paul and Jennifer
Paul told The Belfast Telegraph that Harley is “feeling good and is perfectly happy, but everyone else around him is sad”.
“The cancer is on his lower jaw right at the back which is probably the worst place he could get it.
“The only treatment which would be of any benefit would be surgery, but because of where it is, we would have to have his entire bottom jaw removed and we just wouldn’t do that to his quality of life.
“We are working with the UK’s best vets and have him on a lot of pain medication and holistic treatments, so he’s feeling good.”
Throwback: NI dog Harlso impresses Jimmy Fallon by balancing pancakes on head
Jennifer and Paul got Harlso when he was just four months old, and they think he was the last of his litter.
But in nearly a decade, the accomplished canine has become a global star.
In 2019, he won a Webby Award (dedicated to ‘excellence on the internet’) and received Northern Ireland’s Social Media Personality of the Year – beating out several humans for the prize.
He was named one of the most amazing dogs by National Geographic and Guinness World Records, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and This Morning, and starred in a global advertising campaign for Audi.
Harlso the hound owned by Paul and Jennifer
Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale has even been in touch regarding Harlso’s medical news, to say that he is in her thoughts.
The clever hound has balanced hundreds of items on his head, including donuts, plush toys, a house of cards, toilet roll, and even a cup of tea.
“When he was two, we found out by accident one night that he could balance stuff on his head,” Paul explained.
“A couple of weeks later, I balanced a rose on his head and sent it to Jennifer, thinking it was dead romantic and she said, ‘Oh is this a wee talent he can actually do?’”
Most of Jennifer’s extended family live in Australia, so she started an Instagram account to let her relatives catch up on Harley’s antics.
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In the beginning, Paul didn’t even think the profile would gain 100 followers, but after nine months, Harlso had 14,000.
Paul continued: “He can only do one trick, but it blows my mind how much of a little celebrity he has become.
“We’ve met around 30 people over the years from all over the world who have been travelling through Belfast and have messaged us just looking to have a cup of tea or a pint somewhere with Harley, so they can get a quick photo with him.
“He’s brought us so much joy over the years, and the stuff that people don’t see on social media is probably what matters the most to us.
“He’s really lived a life, but to us he’s just our wee dog.”
Harlso the hound owned by Paul and Jennifer
Whilst he’s been the luckiest dog in terms of opportunities and fame, Harlso has also been very unlucky when it comes to his health.
“Harley has had IVDD (Intervertebral disc disease) more times than I can count,” Paul said.
“It affects one in four dachshunds. There’s a small charity in Wales – Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD – who we’ve raised a lot of money for over the years.”
Harlso has had three back operations because of the condition, which affects his back and thus mobility. When out and about, he needs to be on wheels or pushed in a baby stroller, but it never gets him down.
“Dachshunds are now one of the most popular breeds around, and we feel somewhat responsible for that because so many people have messaged us to say they got a sausage dog because of Harley,” noted Paul.
“My top tip for anybody with a dachshund is to get them well insured for life as IVDD is so prevalent in the breed and it can be a recurring illness. Operations can cost up to £12,000 for some people.”
Paul and Jennifer aren’t sure how long they have left with Harlso.
It could be a few weeks, or closer to a year, but for now they are “focusing on making as many memories as possible with him” and have asked everyone to keep Harlso firmly balanced in your prayers.
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