Thank you Donny Osmond for your inspiration, kindness, and generosity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Hi, my name is Harley and this is my story:

I was born in a horrible puppy mill. I started out a cute little brindle colored Chihuahua pup, but in a very short time I was pretty grungy, I suppose I looked the color of dirt. I had my own wire cage to live it, it was small, the wire floor made my feet hurt, but I got used to it. I didn’t wish for a bed, a toy, a bone or even clean water, I didn’t know what those things were. Humans were my enemy, never a kind word, never a loving hand – actually, come to think of it, I didn’t know what those things were either. My job was to help make babies – not sure how many kids I have out there, maybe hundreds, thousands? The years all ran together, nothing ever changed, I got older, more crippled and then the cough started. Turns out I was in heart failure. The puppy mill people didn’t want me anymore, they considered tossing me in the dumpster, as is, still breathing… but I was lucky because a wonderful rescue called, “Because of You Chihuahua Rescue” took me away.

Everything changed! Barbara Siegrist, the founder of BOYCR wrote about my first night in freedom, March 18, 2011: “He is small, but also badly crippled on the back legs and walks with his elbows out on the front legs, and he carries his head low to take weight off the back legs. His nails are so long. He has one eye missing, etc. His mouth is full of rot. He is so very sweet. As soon as I got him I bathed him, he was frightened, but stood still. I soaped him up 3 times to get the stench off him. I then towel dried him and put a sweater on him to keep him warm. I cleaned his ears, which were nasty and clipped his nails as much as I dared. He is about 5lbs and sable colored. He’s loved me since the moment I took him. He slept with me, the first time he’s ever slept in a soft place, or bed. He wanted to snuggle so close and he licked me over and over, I let him even though his breath was so bad! He will go to the vet the first of the week to see if he is strong enough to withstand anesthesia for a neuter and dental. In anticipation, I started him on antibiotics. He has diarrhea, parasites and some other issues. This boy has waited a long time for this freedom, and while we have to play games and be nice to the breeders who so badly neglect, it is necessary in order to save the dogs. We will find him a wonderful home, with someone who will adore and love him for whatever time he has left.”

I will always love Barbara and the other kind volunteers at Because of You Chihuahua Rescue, they work tirelessly to save others like me, I’ve seen it first hand. I love them with all my heart.

The vet worked on me a few times, I got neutered, most of my teeth were pulled, I was x-rayed so they could figure out my spinal problems – the cramped cage I’d live in most my life was hard on my bones. I have congestive heart failure, my stomach and lungs were filled with fluid, it was even coming out my nose, and I have a level 4 murmur. Plus a few other things… broken tail, my toes are a little deformed since my nails were never cut, arthritis in a few places, my eye has cataracts, yep, I was a basket case. You may have noticed that I only have 1 eye? They don’t take us dogs out of the cages to clean ‘em, instead they just power wash us along with the cages. I had a couple buddys with no eyes. Horrible people!!

When my mom & dad heard about me they knew I was meant to be with them. So mom did her best to convince Barbara to let them adopt me. They drove to the middle of Kansas and met Barbara half way. Two of my sisters, Cricket and Zoie (rip sweet friend) came along too. They cuddled with me during the long ride home. They didn’t care that I was a bloated, sickly old mill dog, my entire family loved me instantly and I loved them back.

My new vet didn’t think I’d live 3 months, but I’ve proven her wrong. It’s been over year now and I’m still goin’ strong. Sure, I have my slow days, but don’t we all?

Love, Harley

PS: My journey can be followed via my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/harleyfreighttraintaylor

---

Dogs are usually caged in unlined wire cages for their entire breeding life.  These cages are often stacked, one on top of the other, so that the feces and urine from above drips down into the cages below.   Some were even born in their cage.  They are often covered in their own feces, matted, and flea infested. They eat, sleep, defecate, urinate, mate, give birth, and quite often die in this same cage.   MORE