contributed photo
Darlene Engebretson and her chihuahua, Harley, have become well known in the Sartell-St. Cloud area. 

Anyone who has ever worked in retail will tell you there are repeat customers who will frequent your store and become unforgettable. Sometimes the customers are easily remembered because of a problem or altercation, but other times a customer stands out as a kind, friendly person you enjoy helping in the store. Darlene Engebretson from Sartell is one of the latter group, the kind of customer employees love to see come in the doors. Employees of the local pet stores know her and her chihuahua, Harley, quite well, and the two of them have become “mini-celebrities” in the area to pet lovers and their canine friends.

Engebretson and Harley are not only seen frequenting local stores, but they have appeared in advertisements for Advanced Care Pet Hospital in Sartell and the Tri-County Humane Society as well. Engebretson, who has participated in humane-society fundraisers such as the Calendar Drive, believes in giving back to the organization that united her with furry friend Harley seven years ago.

In late November 2005, Engebretson stopped by the humane society on a whim, not particularly looking for a dog.

“I was just driving by and said ‘I’ll just stop in and look’,” she said. “Here was Harley, just staring at me in a little cage all by himself. I took him out and held him, and he didn’t want to go back.”

Engebretson was hooked by the little dog but decided she could not buy him that day and went home to sleep on it. After not sleeping all night, thinking about Harley, she went back to the humane society as soon as it opened the next day. She took Harley home.

“It was kind of like he was meant to be mine,” she said. “He looked at me like ‘You better take me home,’ and he’s been my buddy ever since.”

Engebretson had not owned a dog since she was young when she had farm dogs. She and Harley have become inseparable. She believes strongly in giving back to the community, and Harley is now her partner in that goal.

She not only helps with fundraising for the humane society but also has people collect Coborn’s store receipts for her to turn in. Any of the “Labels for Learning” receipts can be donated to the humane society, as well as unused “Pet Points” from Cash Wise or Coborn’s.

Harley gets in on the volunteer work as well as Engebretson takes him to local nursing homes to visit with residents. People always get joy from seeing the well-behaved little dog and the chance to spend time with him.

“They always say to me, ‘Oh, can we see your dog?’” Engebretson explained. “It makes them so happy.”

In the summer months, Engebretson walks Harley every day along trails near Sartell City Hall when she and the dog connect with others. Their daily treks are a source of enjoyment not only for them but for the other people and pets they encounter along the way.

“He loves to run down the path but never goes off too far,” she said. “He always turns around to see if I’m coming and then runs again once I catch up. We’ve met so many nice people on our walks.”

Harley’s good behavior and friendly disposition is likely a product of his loving home life, even if he is a bit spoiled. He not only goes to the veterinarian every two weeks to have his teeth brushed and scaled but eats premium dog food topped with rotisserie chicken from the deli and even has his own “car seat” in the front of Engebretson’s vehicle – a kid’s lawn chair covered with a soft blanket so Harley can watch out the front window as they ride.

“People look at him at stop signs and smile,” Engebretson said. “He never barks at them – just watches. I try to take him most places I go.”

Harley usually gets the star treatment when he goes to his favorite stores, Petsmart and Petco, as employees love to interact with him and offer him treats. Like a true diva, he usually turns down the treats but always makes his rounds to get a pet and a kind word from everyone there.

Although Harley’s eyelashes are starting to turn gray, his spunk and character haven’t diminished as the years have passed.

“He still knows exactly when it’s dinner time and will guide me toward the kitchen every night if I don’t get there fast enough,” Engebretson said. “He’s such a good little dog. Harley really brightens my days.