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Two Chihuahuas, Harley and Teddy, both puppy mill survivors, traveled more than 5,000 miles along with National Mill Dog Rescue to spread awareness and truth about the commercial dog breeding industry and along the way, rescued an astounding 165 dogs!
Harley, a 13 year old Chihuahua and an iconic figure in the social media world, spent 10 years as a commercial breeder in a puppy mill. His one-eyed (a result of being power-washed inside his cage at the puppy mill), grizzled image is immediately recognizable to his 30,000 fans. Although suffering with congestive heart failure, Harley actively uses his Facebook page to spread awareness about the cruel realities of puppy mills and to raise funds for non-profit rescue groups.
And, Teddy, an adorable 8 year old Chihuahua, spent the first 7 years of his life in a Kansas puppy mill before being rescued last year. Teddy helps spread puppy mill awareness and shares his experiences of learning about life outside the cage to over 11,000 Facebook fans.
Together, along with National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR), the adorable advocates took to the road for “Harley to the Rescue,” a campaign they started in May. Originally, the pair hoped to raise $2,500, the amount needed for NMDR to make one puppy mill rescue mission and save about 25-30 dogs. But, the response to the pairs’ mission was overwhelmingly positive, with donations exceeding $50,000 via generous supporters and sales of “Harley to the Rescue” apparel and hats.
Their job didn’t end with raising the funds needed to rescue these dogs from puppy mills. Accompanied by their human parents, both dogs traveled on multiple trips throughout the Midwest, saving the dogs and networking them via social media to help the dogs find their forever homes. Each of their missions was documented and shared via social media for their fans to experience their rescue trips.
And, Harley and Teddy aren’t done yet! Although 165 dogs have already been rescued from the horrors of life in a puppy mill, their mission of “Dogs Saving Dogs!” will continue through 2014!
National Mill Dog Rescue is a Colorado Springs based 501(c)(3) organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes discarded commercial breeding dogs from puppy mills. NMDR relies on volunteers to care for the dogs, from the moment they are surrendered to the time they are adopted and beyond. The organization depends on the generosity of the public to provide the high level of care for the dogs and to continue to be able to save them.
To follow Harley on Facebook, click here.
To follow Teddy on Facebook, click here.
To learn more about Harley to the Rescue, and to support the cause, click here.
De LaFreniere
Jun 11, 2015 at 9:34 pm
I adopted a rescue from a puppy mill…so many issues to battle that first year…peeing all over the place…hand feeding (never had dog food before), couldn’t be left alone for any length of time (took the back of my bathroom door off in 5 hours!!!) sore legs, feet and ribs from broken bones (yes he was also abused and beaten), he weighed only 9 pounds and is now a real dog…weighs a chunky 12 pounds and owns the house…especially the couch lol
Joann
Sep 22, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Hi Harley & Teddy,
I want to tell you Both how much I LOVE YOU BOTH! And also your 2- legged parents for saving your beautiful lives! You both as beautiful on the inside as on the outside:). Thank you for for continuing to carry on your rescues thru. 2014 & hard work in raising the much needed funds!
You two are AWESOME ! I would love to give you both a Hugh hug!
I know my 2, Barney. & Penn. also happen to be part Chihuahua.
are both in love w/you as well!
What ‘so-called people ‘ are doing to these precious dogs & pups is nothing short of disgusting! One day, if not on earth, than in Heaven, they will all receive their justice! As the ladies above stated, it’s unbelievable what they’ll do for financial gain! Shame on you all! I’m so happy about the recent new online loop- hole laws against puppy mills. It’s a great start, but certainly not the end!
Again, all my love go you both Harley. & Teddy;) your my hero’s!! YAY !
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Stay healthy everyone:)
Deborah
Sep 21, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Some people will do ANYTHING to make easy money even if it is dealing with animals lives and using them in their materialistic goals to obtain financial ‘rewards’! But they are only in business because of incredibly moronic uncaring people who go to the mills for the dogs and bitches. How do they sleep at night – any of them! They must all be soulless individuals who have no self respect or consciousness.
Lori Palmer
Sep 21, 2013 at 2:37 pm
No animal should ever have to live a life caged and used like this…it should be ruled illegal..
Lori hooper
Sep 20, 2013 at 12:18 pm
My heart just aches for all those dogs at the puppy mills. I just do not understand these people’s thinking. These poor dogs.