Tag: puppy mills

5 Reasons Why Jon Stewart Is So Doggone Awesome

This post was originally published in August 2015.

During his tenure as host of “The Daily Show” from January 1999 to August 2015, Jon Stewart skewered the news media and plenty of politicians — but he’s always had a soft spot for dogs, especially Pit Bulls.

Here are just five of the many reasons why Jon Stewart is a doggone awesome guy.

Bonus Fun Fact

Even the theme song of “The Daily Show” has a canine-related title: it’s “Dog on Fire,” performed by They Might Be Giants.

The instrumental tune was written by Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü. Based on the sound effects in the original version, its rather disturbing title might refer to a bowler who’s scoring a lot of strikes.

5. ‘The Daily Show’ office is dog friendly.

“On any given day, a half dozen dogs roam the halls, scavenge for treats and bark when people start clapping at ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,'” according to The Daily Show Dogs, a Facebook page dedicated to these lucky pets.

In September 2012, Brian Williams did about this perk for NBC’s “Rock Center.” (For the record, Williams was not lying about “The Daily Show” being dog friendly.)

4. Jon Stewart is a longtime Pit Bull advocate.

When Tia Torres, founder of the Villalobos Rescue Center featured on “Pit Bulls and Parolees,” was a guest in September 2014, she told Stewart, “I knew who Jon Stewart was before I knew what ‘The Daily Show’ was, because you’re such a Pit Bull advocate.”

3. He enlightened his audience about puppy mills.

The “Big Red Dogs” segment, in which Olivia Munn interviewed a supporter of puppy mills, aired after Missouri’s Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act passed in November 2010.

“They’re expecting breeders to sit there and pay for an exorbitance amount of care that is not needed, like adequate food, adequate water, adequate space,” says Anita Andrews, director of Alliance for Truth, an organization that opposed the law.

The segment gets even funnier/scarier after that, with appearances by “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan and spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein.

2. He ripped Michael Vick a new one.

When it was discovered in 2007 that the NFL’s Michael Vick ran a dog-fighting operation and had killed several dogs himself, like most of us, Stewart was livid.

“I’d like to cover him in liver and let the dogs see if he’s as fast and elusive as they say he is,” Stewart said, fuming, as the studio audience cheered.

“My guess is no.”

1. He’s the dog dad of rescued Pit Bulls, including three-legged Little Dipper.

Stewart doesn’t just advocate on behalf of Pit Bulls — he provides them with a loving forever home. Stewart, his wife Tracey (who’s a former veterinary technician) and their family have three: Monkey, Shamsky (named after baseball legend Art Shamsky) and three-legged Little Dipper.

In a series of ridiculously sweet photos posted on Buzzfeed in May 2013, Stewart could be seen walking Little Dipper with a bright green leash along a New York City street.

In the photo below, as Stewart pats the lucky pup on the head, Little Dipper appears to be having his very own “Moment of Zen.”

Photos via Pinterest; Buzzfeed

RIP Puppy-Mill Survivor Harley, 2015 American Hero Dog

Harley, a 15-year-old Chihuahua who spent the first 10 years of his life in a puppy-mill cage before become a “spokesdog” against these cruel facilities, died yesterday.

“He went on his own terms … he chose his moment, he did not suffer, and he was not in pain,” wrote a friend of his family on Harley’s Facebook page. “He passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of his mom and dad.”

In September, Harley was named the American Humane Association 2015 American Hero Dog.

“It was just four years ago that he was pulled from the cage in the puppy mill and left to die,” said his dog mom, Rudi Taylor, when she accepted the award. “We never would have ever thought he would live this long and make such a difference for so many puppies.”

Rudi’s husband, Dan, added that Harley had an indomitable spirit. “That spirit is allowing him now to be the voice for dogs who cannot speak for themselves…and give everybody hope that tomorrow’s going to be a better day,” he said at the awards ceremony.

While living in the puppy mill, Harley suffered heart disease, a fused spine, broken tail, gnarled toes, deformed legs and rotted teeth. He lost an eye when his cage was power-washed while he was still in it (believe it or not, this is a common practice in puppy mills).

Harley was rescued in 2011 by the Taylors, who were told the Chihuahua would probably only live for a couple of months. But Harley thrived and was able to spend almost five years with his loving forever family in Berthoud, Colo.

He became the inspiration for the “Harley to the Rescue” campaign, which raises funds to rescue and provide medical care for more other puppy-mill dogs. Harley went along on the rescue missions to comfort the sad, scared dogs.

“As you all know, Harley’s life was very public,” Rudi wrote on Harley’s Facebook page today. “He didn’t only belong to Dan and I, he belonged to you — his friends, his people.”

Harley spent his last night as he usually did, happily cuddled between his pet parents.

“We were in bed and he was so happy getting a belly rub from Dan,” Rudi wrote on Facebook. “Right after that belly rub, he gave us both kisses and then he went to sleep. Harley was a funny sleeper, always changing positions — on his back, tucked under my chin or into Dan’s armpit — he wasn’t easy to sleep with, but we never complained.”

Rest in peace, Harley. My condolences and gratitude to Rudi and Dan for turning his tragic life around and spreading awareness about the horrors of puppy mills.

To honor Harley and help save other puppy mill dogs, you can make a donation to the Harley to the Rescue campaign. And be sure to tell anyone who’s looking for a new dog to adopt, not shop!

Photo via Twitter

Nearly 100 Dogs Rescued from ‘Deplorable’ Florida Puppy Mill

DEC. 22, 2015 UPDATE: Many of these rescued dogs are now ready for forever homes, the ASPCA reports.

“We’ve seen these dogs come a long way over the last month,” said Jessica Rushin of the ASPCA. “Now we’re bringing them to communities across Florida and hoping local citizens will come out and adopt them. These dogs have never known what it means to be a pet, so we’re thrilled that many of them may be spending this holiday season in a warm, safe home for the first time.”

For a list of the Florida shelters where the dogs are available, visit the ASPCA website.

Dozens of dogs living in filthy conditions, without clean food or water and exposed to the elements, were rescued yesterday from a suspected unlicensed puppy mill in Clewiston, Fla.

The rescued dogs ranged in size from Chihuahuas to Siberian Huskies. Some were only two days old.

“It’s obvious that some are ill, and there are some newborn puppies, too,” Capt. Susan Harrelle of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, which worked with the ASPCA to save the dogs, told NBC-2.

ASPCA spokeswoman Kelly Krause told Naple News the conditions were “deplorable.”

The owners of the operation, Beatriz Perez and Alexei Fernandez, had been selling the dogs to pet stores in the Miami-Dade area. They were arrested yesterday and charged with several counts of animal cruelty.

Each of the rescued dogs was examined by a veterinarian.

“We’re seeing a number of medical issues, eye issues, teeth issues, skin problems,” Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigation and Response, told NBC-2. “These animals are living in this environment every day and not receiving adequate care.”

The dogs were transferred to an ASPCA shelter, where they will receive veterinary care until custody of the dogs is determined by the court.

After the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office received numerous complaints from the community, the ASPCA launched an investigation of the operation six months ago.

Clewiston Animal Control, Texas Humane Heroes and the Humane Society of Broward County also helped with the rescue and will assist with the care of the dogs.

Puppy mills — commercial breeding operations in which dogs are typically neglected and kept in small cages — are actually legal in Florida and 21 other states. Campaigns like the ASPCA’s No Pet Store Puppies are trying to raise people’s awareness about the horrible environments these dogs come from.

“This is a tragic situation we see all too often,” Rickey said in a press release. “Puppy mills are a widespread issue across Florida and around the country. Many people are unaware that most puppies sold at pet stores come from puppy mills, and that buying pet store puppies indirectly supports these facilities.”

This rescue provides nearly 100 reasons why it’s so important to adopt, not shop, for a dog.

Photo via Twitter

Puppy-Mill Survivor Harley is 2015 American Hero Dog

Congratulations to puppy-mill survivor Harley, who was announced last night as the American Humane Association 2015 American Hero Dog.

The 15-year-old Chihuahua spent 10 miserable years of his life living in a cage. During that time the little dog suffered heart disease, a fused spine, broken tail, gnarled toes, deformed legs and rotted teeth.

He lost an eye when his cage was power-washed while he was still in it (believe it or not, this is a common practice in puppy mills).

Harley was finally rescued and is spending the rest of his days with his loving forever family in Berthoud, Colo. He was the inspiration for the “Harley to the Rescue” campaign, which for the past two years has raised funds to rescue and provide medical care for more other puppy-mill dogs. Harley goes along on the rescue missions to comfort the sad, scared dogs.

He also makes appearances across the country as a spokesdog against puppy mills.

Harley was the finalist in the Hero Dog Awards’ Emerging Hero Dogs category, for “ordinary” dogs who do extraordinary things.

The purpose of this annual national competition is to recognize dogs who unconditionally help humans. The winners in eight categories were selected from more than 1 million online votes and a judging panel.

“These courageous canines have gone above and beyond the call of duty, saving lives on the battlefield, comforting the ill, aged and afflicted, bringing hope to those who have lost it and reminding us of the powerful, age-old bond between animals and people,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, AHA president and CEO, in a press release.

“We hope that Harley’s story will inspire people to shut down puppy mills once and for all.”

Along with the Hero Dog Award finalists, the celebrities attending last night’s sold-out gala event at the Beverly Hilton included Fred Willard, Lea Thompson, Michelle Beadle and Bruce Boxleitner. 

Mark your calendar: The American Humane Association 2015 Hero Dog Awards will air on the Hallmark Channel Oct. 30 at 8 p.m.

Photos via Facebook; Facebook

Exit mobile version