Harley to the Rescue – Two Little Chihuahuas saving 110 Puppy Mill Dogs!

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Feb. 23, 2016 - PRLog -- 1,800 miles, 56 hours, 3 rescue vehicles, 9 rescuers, 2 tiny superheroes, a motorcycle escort, and one fearless leader ... all with one mission: to save 110 dogs!

The National Mill Dog Rescue team will head out on Thursday, February 25 and return two days later with approximately 110 dogs on board – dogs who will finally have the chance to experience freedom for the very first time.  For the last leg of their return trip home, an estimated 25+ motorcyclists will escort the rescue team from Limon to Peyton, Colorado. The escort is being organized by Mile High Harley-Davidson of Aurora, Colorado, strong supporters of National Mill Dog Rescue.

The “Harley to the Rescue” team is led by a tiny, 14-year-old Chihuahua named Harley who is not only the American Humane Association's 2015 Hero Dog of the Year, but also an iconic figure in the social media world of puppy mill awareness.  He spent 10 years as a commercial breeder in a puppy mill before being rescued.  His one-eyed, grizzled image is immediately recognizable, primarily due to the fact he lost an eye when his cage was power-washed at the puppy mill.  He actively uses his website, Facebook page (with 83,000+ followers), Instagram, and Twitter to spread awareness about the cruel realities of puppy mills and raise funds for non-profit rescue groups.

Teddy, the designated “Harley to the Rescue” team driver, lived his first 7 years in a puppy mill before he was rescued by National Mill Dog Rescue.  Teddy uses his Facebook page (with 31,000+ followers), Instagram and Twitter to spread puppy mill awareness and to share his experiences in learning about life outside the cage.

“Harley to the Rescue” began in 2013 as a campaign to raise the $2,500 needed to fund one rescue of approximately 25-30 dogs with National Mill Dog Rescue.  To date, these two dogs have raised over $550,000 and have rescued 585 dogs from horrific conditions in puppy mills.  This mission, their eighth trip, is called “Hearts 2 Hearts” and supporters have helped fund it through special tribute hearts which will decorate the kennel to celebrate their return.

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 enable us to provide the high level of care for our dogs and continue our efforts to save more of them.

National Mill Dog Rescue started with a single sentence in an e-mail received by Theresa Strader: “50 Italian Greyhounds in need.”  A large-scale breeding operation, or “puppy mill,” was going out of business and all 561 dogs were going to auction.  One of those dogs was a seven-year-old Italian Greyhound named Lily.  The moment their eyes met through the wire of Lily’s tiny cage, Theresa knew her life had changed forever and that this new life would include Lily and a mission to bring about lasting change.

In honor of Lily, National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007 to give a voice to mill dogs across the country.  Since then, NMDR has rescued more than 10,500 puppy mill survivors. Every single dog that comes through the doors is spayed or neutered and given whatever additional medical care they need – without exception.  They are groomed, many of them for the very first time.  Years of filth and matted fur are removed, allowing the beautiful dog underneath to shine.  Soon they learn about all the simple pleasures that they had never previously known – clean water, toys and treats, a soft bed, and most importantly, the love of a human companion.

Harley's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/harleyfreighttraintaylor

Teddy's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/teddybearburchfield

NMDR Website: http://milldogrescue.org