One-eyed Chihuahua ‘testifies’ to Congress about puppy mills [1]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A little Colorado dog with a big message traveled to Washington, D.C. to bring awareness to puppy mills.
“Dear Mr. President, I had to ask my mom to read this letter, because I am only a dog,” said Harley’s owner Rudi Taylor in a video [3] before going. “I am a puppy mill survivor. I spent 10 years living in a small, filthy wire cage in a puppy mill.”
Harley, one-eyed and crippled, wasn’t expected to live long. He lost his eye because the cage was cleaned with a power washer. His tail was broken and his spine was fused together; Harley never touched grass. He was rescued four years ago, and now lives in Berthoud. After testifying, Harley “posted” on his Facebook page
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A little Colorado dog with a big message traveled to Washington, D.C. to bring awareness to puppy mills.
“Dear Mr. President, I had to ask my mom to read this letter, because I am only a dog,” said Harley’s owner Rudi Taylor in a video [3] before going. “I am a puppy mill survivor. I spent 10 years living in a small, filthy wire cage in a puppy mill.”
Harley, one-eyed and crippled, wasn’t expected to live long. He lost his eye because the cage was cleaned with a power washer. His tail was broken and his spine was fused together; Harley never touched grass. He was rescued four years ago, and now lives in Berthoud. After testifying, Harley “posted” on his Facebook page
My story made a lot of people cry, and I guess that is a good thing because it shows that people care. There are senators and representatives who want to see an end to puppy mills, and many other people as well. Mom, Dad, and I talked until I fell asleep. We were interviewed by a lot of different press. That is good because that means that the puppy mill message will be spread further and further.
[1]
About Harley
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Of the eight finalists in the American Humane Association’s 2015 American Hero Dog contest, Harley is the oldest, smallest and most unlikely of winners.
After 10 years of abuse in a Midwestern puppy mill, Harley has a diseased heart, rotted mouth, fused spine, broken tail, gnarled toes, deformed legs and a missing eye. But the 6-pound Chihuahua was named top dog at a sold-out Los Angeles awards ceremony. More than a million public votes were cast and an expert panel weighed in on Harley’s honor. The show will be broadcast nationally on the Hallmark Channel on Oct. 30.
HARLEY, AMERICAN HERO DOG
Harley is 14, owned by Rudi Taylor of Bethoud, Colorado. Together they’ve raised a half-million dollars through “Harley to the Rescue” to care for over 500 puppy mill dogs. Harley and Taylor have spread their message against commercial breeders to thousands of people.
“Harley is a hero mostly because he gives hope to hundreds of thousands of dogs still living in puppy mills. He inspires so many people. It could be his imperfect look that lets people relate to him. I think he touches their hearts.” – Taylor.