The tennis legend on her inseparable bond with Harry , how she found him , and how she ’s ensured his graceful ageing .
It ’s by nature inflated when someone says they do " everything " with their hot dog , but Venus Williams come closer than almost anyone to making it dead on target .
The seven - meter Grand Slam succeeder and Harry , her 16 - year - oldHavanese , have been near inseparable since she buy him as a puppy in 2007 . The gym ? Harry ’s there , allowed to explore if no one else is working out . The office ? Harry ’s there , late learning how to catnap on Williams ’s desk . Tennis drill ? Harry ’s obviously there .
Photo: Purina Pro Plan Sport
" I always joke Harry ’s only job is to hang up out with Mom , and he does that job well , " Williams tells Daily Paws . " He ’s very serious about it . "
His changeless presence even extends to places non - service dogs rarely venture , like a Spanish museum . Or an NBA All - Star Game . Williams was driving in Los Angeles when her friend wanted to go to the plot . Harry was with her , and she did n’t have meter to take him home before head to the Staples Center .
" It was the baffling thing to get this little cad in , but he go to an All - prima plot , " she sound out .
Their attachment reach out to Purina Pro Plan ’s Monday Like a Pro Challenge , in which Williams and Harry will taste to raise $ 150,000 forAthletes for brute , a nonprofit organization that fund pet espousal and creature - upbeat programs .
Harry’s Arrival
Harry was a bit of an impulse buy . Fresh off winning Wimbledon in 2007 — andfighting for equal wage — Williams spied a puppy in a window . She called her sis Serena , the most decorated tennis actor of all time , who told her , " Get him . I love him already . "
Right after she require him home , she was set to play another tournament . Harry went with her , begin what would become a jet - coiffure lifestyle — on the button what Williams wanted .
She ’d had domestic dog before Harry , but she miss so much of their lives when she ’d travel to tournament . A previous pup had fallen sick while she was on tour , so she did n’t opine she was quick to take a chance heartbreak again .
But she could n’t resist Harry , and this time her frankfurter would go everywhere with her . He raise up on planes and in change of location carriers . To this daylight , he does n’t stay with anyone else , save Serena and their female parent .
" Since I travel so much , it would be so deplorable to miss one-half of his animation , " she says . " So I do n’t have to miss his sprightliness , and he does n’t have to miss his life story with me . We get to live that spirit together . "
A Spoiled Dog Is a Healthy Dog
Williams says Harry remains healthy in his golden years , thanks in part to switch him toPurina Pro Plan Sport wiener food . She saw improvements in his bone concentration and " it was like he became much younger on the spur of the moment . "
She also assure Harry gets enoughexerciseand o.k. - tunes his diet further to verify he scram all the nutrients he needs . But Williams also focuses on a perhaps overlook facet of intelligent ageing .
" I think also spending time with your dog help them to hold up longer , give them that material love and attention makes a immense divergence , " she sound out .
Besides all the time she spend with him , Williams alwayshugsHarry throughout the day . If it ’s been an peculiarly busy Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , she ’ll make certain to step off from her work to bang on him for a second or two .
" My mama always says , ' This click is queer . ' I like to mean he ’s healthy because he is , " she says .
Monday Like a Pro Challenge
The 10 - workweek long Monday Like a Pro Challenge , led by Williams and the Pro Plan Sport team , will start when we perhaps need it most — the Monday right after daylight pull through fourth dimension begins . ( Here ’s your reminder we lose an hour of sleep Sunday morning . Sorry . ) It will run for 10 weeks , through May 21 .
Williams and Pro Plan Sport will issue activity challenge to pet possessor each hebdomad . The goal is to generate 1 million collective minutes of human - and - dog activity each week . One player will be randomly selected and win a year ’s provision of Pro Plan wry dog food each week .
Each week participants enter 1 million minutes , Pro Plan will donate $ 15,000 to Athletes for beast . If they pip 1 million each week , Athletes for Animals will receive $ 150,000 total .
athlete for beast , run by David and Kelly Backes , takes its contribution and offers grants to tax shelter and other animal - public assistance organizations make for to find new home for adoptable pets .
instruct more and signalise up atMondayLikeAProChallenge.com .
