I Love Facebook Pet Pages
Today, I am stepping out of the role of business owner and stepping into the role of human being. One of the ways I relax is playing around on Facebook. I am obsessed with cute pet pages. I follow a wide assortment of them. Most are puppy mill survivors and 2nd up are pages from dogs that have been rescued via some other rescue organization.
I don’t remember how I first came across National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR), but am so glad I did. Reading those stories and seeing those pictures ignited my passion for the plight of dogs kept for the purpose of breeding. I had no idea of the awful conditions the breeder dogs were kept in. Nor did I realize the role the Amish play in this despicable “puppy farming” practice. National Mill Dog Rescue has an extensive Facebook page that provides education on all aspects.
Anyone who spends much time on Facebook or any other social media pages is sure to know there are lots of heartbreaking stories. When the topic is pets, emotions can often be quite intense. Sometimes the humans behind the pet pages become quite involved in drama. When that happens, I just have to back away. Those are the times I’m not so certain that I love Facebook Pet Pages.
Happily, there are numerous wonderful Facebook Pet Pages that have found the just right combination of keeping it real, providing education and also spreading joy. In fact there are so many positive FaceBook pet pages that we would be here all night if I blogged about all of them.
Tonight I want to focus on two such pages that are experiencing hard times and could use our financial help and prayers.
How They Are Linked
Harley is a puppy mill survivor who was adopted by Dan and Rudi Taylor. Dan and Rudi own two small businesses in Berthoud, Colorado. Dan and Rudi do an incredible amount of volunteer work rescuing dogs on behalf of NMDR. Harley’s Facebook page is an inspiration. Dan and Rudi’s love for Harley and his fursibs is tangible. I learned from Harley that mill dogs live in wire cages and never get out. The puppy mill owners hose down the cages with firehoses to clean the cages without taking the breeder dogs out. That’s how Harley lost an eye.
In addition to their rescue work, Dan and Rudi foster a lot of dogs for NMDR. Sunshine was one of those dogs. Sunshine was adopted by a lovely family in Michigan and is now known as Princess Ava Bisou. Ava has a sister named Mia Bryant Beddard. Mia and Ava bring joy and laughter to thousands of people every day. Their humans have big hearts and do a great deal to raise awareness about the plight of senior dogs that are dumped and about puppy mill breeder dogs. Their humans are the epitome of family. Their daddy is self employed in a small business he owns.
Princess Ava Bisou
Mia Bryant Beddard
Why I Feel Connected
- First of all because they are both such genuinely nice families.
- They have “spoken” to me for quite a long time.
- I am a retired social worker and know that these are the kind of people our world needs more of.
- Both these families are small business owners.
- I grew up in a farm family. You can’t get more small family owned business than that. My paternal grandfather set out the first apple orchard in Lincoln County, NC. My father and uncle followed in my grandfather’s footsteps. I remember the lean years.
- My husband’s maternal grandfather was a self employed plumber. Again, small business. My husband’s parents started and operated a small independent finance company. Billy also remembers the lean years.
OK, so those are the purely simple reasons. But it gets much more personal than that. I am a cancer survivor. When you read the story about Mia and Princess Ava’s humans you will see the connection. And, on July 4, 2000 my beloved Daddy took his own life. When you read the story about Dan and Rudi’s oldest daughter you will understand.
Friends of Dan and Rudi have set up a YouCaring Fund for their son in law and grandchildren. I have set up a YouCaring Fund for Ava and Mia’s humans. I urge you to visit the links and give prayerful consideration to helping these two families in their times of need. I also ask for prayers for God’s healing grace, mercy and peace for these two families. Thank you for your consideration.
Helping Princess Ava Bisou and Mia Bryant Beddard
Here is what I had to say about Princess Ava and Mia’s humans.
help-princess-ava-mia-s-daddy-with-cancer-surgery-bills
Ava and Mia do so much for others and now they are in need. I love this family for so many reasons: 1. They are always positive. 2. They consistently advocate for adoption of seniors and eradication of puppy mills. 3. They don’t get caught up in FaceBook pet page drama. 4. They are kind. 5. They share information appropriately. 6. They value family.
As many of you know, their Daddy is self- employed. Their Mommy is a long time cancer survivor. And recently their Daddy had very serious surgery for cancer. While he is recovering and unable to work they have no income. I have been given permission to post and ask for support if you are able and so moved. If you are able to help you may make a contribution to their YouCaring Fund.
No, I don’t know them personally. However, I am a retired social worker and have “just a little bit” of experience in assessing character. Princess Ava and Mia bring me enormous joy every day with their posts. I still have such fond memories of their Olympics a few years ago. Watching Ava run down the snow tunnel was so exciting and I watched it over and over. Princess Ava Bisou has 6,292 followers. Mia Bryant Beddard has 4037 followers. I know that many of us follow them both, but that is still a heap of people. Imagine how much difference we can make in their lives with just a tiny bit of effort in their time of need. For instance if every one of us (conservatively 6, 292 people) each gave just $1.00 there would be $6, 292.00. Or if we each gave $5.00 there would be $31,460. OMD OMD, OMD!!! Or as Princess Ava Bisou says, Wow Wee, yippee skippee.
Do the math any way you want, but please consider helping them out. I know there is no tax deduction for this, but seriously, how many of us will miss $5.00 next week? Thanks for any consideration for helping this precious family in their time of need. Sincerely, Beth Leatherman Harwell
Helping the Family of Harley’s Human Sister
Harley’s human sister (Rudi and Dan’s oldest daughter) lost her life to depression. Here is how a friend of the family described Samantha.
A NOTE OF GRATITUDE FROM HARLEY’S FAMILY
My name is Mary and I am a friend of Harley’s family. They’ve asked me to let you know they are keenly aware of the outpouring of love and support from Harley’s friends over the loss of their daughter Samantha. Your thoughts, prayers and kind expressions of sympathy mean more to them than you can imagine.
Suffice it to say, this is a time of immense and unbearable sadness for the Taylor family. Samantha suffered with depression her entire life and, during the last 3 years, also suffered with a crippling illness called Dystonia. In spite of these difficulties, she fought hard to enjoy her life and make every birthday, holiday and Christmas count for her children … and let them know they were loved beyond measure.
Sam touched so many lives in such amazing ways. Always there for those in need, she created fundraisers for people she didn’t even know, took people into her home when floods swept through the area, and had great compassion for the homeless. She always kept food, water and other supplies in her car to distribute at a moment’s notice. Sam was creative, funny, and just plain amazing. She loved her children and family more than anything … and, of course, she loved her dogs. In fact, when she adopted her beloved dog Lolo last year, she went to the shelter and asked for the most unadoptable dog they had. Out came a 14-year-old Husky mix who had been discarded by the only family she’d ever known … and she became a cherished member of Sam’s family.
Many of you have asked how you can help. A fundraiser has been established to help Sam’s children in the days and months ahead. Her husband, Aaron, is a self-employed carpenter who has already been facing challenges during these difficult economic times. If you so desire, please click on this link and contribute what you are able … no amount is too small:
Sam is missed terribly and has left an indescribable hole in the lives of all who knew and loved her. On behalf of the entire Taylor family, thank you from the bottoms of their hearts. You are a true blessing to them during this unspeakable time. heart emoticon
You see folks, it’s about a lot more than the fact that I love Facebook Pet Pages. It’s about life & love. Please help Princess Ava Bisou , Mia Bryant Beddard & Harley
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