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Awww

Deformed, Abandoned Puppy Learns to Walk

by Max Eddy | 2:29 pm, September 23rd, 2011

This is Harper, a happy and mostly healthy pit bull puppy. However, it was only a few weeks ago that Harper was all but given up for dead. Her story began when Erica Daniel saw a man selling puppies outside a Save-A-Lot. When she approached him, she noticed strange noises coming from a garbage bag the man was holding. After forcing the issue, he opened the bag to reveal a small, deformed dog. This was Harper.

Harper has pectus excavatum, or “swimmer puppy syndrome.” Dogs with this disorder have a deformed chest cavity, causing them to lie flat on their stomachs and are often unable to even move their heads. Generally, afflicted canines don’t live more than three weeks, which was the grim prognosis that Daniel was given when she brought the dog into a Florida animal shelter. With that in mind, Daniel took Harper home for one day of love and care before following the vet’s advice and having her euthanized. After that single day, however, Harper had improved dramatically.

Daniel says that she bought Harper some toys, and started massaging her stiff limbs to help relieve some discomfort. She was surprised when after a few hours, Harper seemed to have a much greater range of motion than before. She was even holding her head up and, incredibly, trying to walk. Emboldened, Daniel called The University of Florida in Gainesville. After determining that Harper wasn’t suffering from the most severe complications of her disorder — which could include a heart murmur or brain abnormalities — Daniel enrolled Harper in a hydrotherapy class at Hip Dog Canine Hydrotherapy & Fitness.

The results speak for themselves. Harper is thriving, and can manage to walk on grass, carpet, and other textured surfaces. She’s still struggling with tile and hardwood floors, but Daniel is confident that she’ll continue to gain strength and confidence. She’s in a position to know, having created a rescue foundation after saving Dolly, an abused pit bull used in a dog fighting ring.

Read on below for more images of Harper, being the adorable pup that she is. More information on her story, and opportunity to donate money for her recovery, can be found is available at the Dolly’s Foundation website.

(Today via BuzzFeed, Dolly’s Foundation, all images via Flying Fur Photography)

  • http://twitter.com/Dope_Danny Danny Smith

    god damn thats a happy looking dog.

  • Zeuspitbull2008

    I would love for the chance to adopt this puppy….

  • Dave

    What a wonderful story.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1240964603 Bonnie Ellefson

    I’m sure she will have many adoption apps coming her way. But there is only one of her and plenty of other dogs/cats waiting in shelters and rescues for their chance at a good life with a loving and caring family…Please take a look in your local shelter..YOUR BEST FRIEND is waiting for you…..

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1240964603 Bonnie Ellefson

    You’re right that’s what I thought…She’s lovin` life now….

  • Anonymous

    Glad another mistreated puppy has found a loving home :)

    Dogs are the fucking best, they really are Man’s(and Woman’s) best friend if you love them as much as they love you.

    Same can’t be said for many human beings, and that goes for the majority of the current generation, which is sickening…

  • Melissa Pine

    What a wonderful story! Harper is beautiful!

  • Melissa Pine

    What a wonderful story! Harper is beautiful!

  • HistoryGeek

    I thought the same thing…lol

  • http://twitter.com/stu_bradley Stu Bradley

    Lovely story for a Saturday night.

  • Bill

    Thanks to all who have helped…nice story, and nice dog.

  • Bill

    Thanks to all who have helped…nice story, and nice dog.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Maki-Nishikawa/1156787356 Maki Nishikawa

    Look@ Harper’s happy smile….. so irresistible.

  • Anonymous

    What a great story! Thanks so much for sharing this! Also, enjoy the traffic from Google+!

  • Bruce Mitchell

    Agreed, about dogs. Can’t agree about human beings, not to that extent. I’m acquainted with many truly caring concerned youth who are active in all sorts of good causes, much more so than my generation.

  • black mishu

    i always have a soft spot for dogs i love them all!!!
    this is a great story 
    dogs cant talk but they can shows how grateful they are having been adopted 
    they truely knows how to show affections to human

  • http://www.facebook.com/diwakar.suryavanshi Diwakar Kumar

    dogs are the best example of honesty. and we have to learn from them

  • JT

    Great story, I love to read about the resilience of animals with a loving home.

  • Aaron Howell

    Juxtapose this with the many, many stories about Pit Bulls attacking and killing people, especially children. Pit Bulls have a natural instinct (through inbreeding) to attack. I lost a dog because of these awful beasts.

  • http://twitter.com/lila_werewolf Della M

    you lost a dog because of a bad owner, not because of ‘one of these beasts’ as you put it. the person OWNING the dog who attacked your dog did not train their dog right. put the blame where the blame goes. Stop being a breedist. People like you make innocent dogs like this puppy die all the time. Get your head out of your ass already and get a clue.

  • Megan

    What an amazing woman and one definitely happy, thriving pup.  This is the kind of story that is one of the best to hear (there are of course others).

  • Avloc

    Good response. That idiot should be ashamed of himself.

  • Pitbullchick23

    .. these are the stories that encourage me to keep rescuing animals. Pitbulls r my specialty breed because of there ban in miami. When you think about it…what are the chances of some1 saving a puppy in a situation like that? Hes lucky and not alot get a chance like that.i also work and deal with alot of neglect and abuse cases with these poor animals and is really sad to say ppl out there are selfish pieces shit. They have them for 2 reasons…game -fight..profit-breeding…and the dogs always pay for what there owners do.i have 7pits right now..and they all get aLong great.i couldnt ask for better!

  • Jvent619

    DAMNIT!!! The internet just got cuter!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1631034305 Catherine M. White

    Love this story!!!!  What a cute doggie with a happy ending!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1631034305 Catherine M. White

    Love this story!!!!  What a cute doggie with a happy ending!!!

  • http://www.wraithtdk.com Matthew Young

    Great story! What an adorable puppy, he looks very happy.

  • Liverpool Billy

    Offered one night of love and affection before death and able to repay with a lifetimes worth.
    A very special dog and a very special lady!

  • Jonathan Hill

    Pitbulls and staffies get such a bad reputation because of how they are raised and treated – but look at that dog and tell me that there’s something inherently vicious or dangerous there? 

    I’m very glad that our puppy here was one of the lucky ones with this condition that didn’t just die, and has a second chance at a happy life.

  • Jonathan Hill

    I wouldn’t be too hard on Aaron. Whilst I don’t agree with the claims they are inherently dangerous, no-one should have to lose their own dog that way. 

    Tragically, it’s the cases of abuse and neglect that make the headlines, so naturally whenever a moron raises their dog as a symbol or just plain badly it ends up in the press and people start getting scared. 
    The simple fact is that there are so few proper prosecutions for the rotten apples, puppy farms and the like, that it will keep happening until the law is tightened up. 

  • Limari

    Beaufiful! Thank you for giving this dog a chance to live and thrive!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=573870234 Scott Bateman

    I’m VERY happy that the dog was rescued, and that she is doing well considering. but what about the fucking backyard breeder who was keeping it in a fucking GARBAGE bag? Why is this man not being brought to justice for his inhumane and unethical treatment of these animals? A garbage bag. knowing the mentality of backyard breeders, it was in the bag because it wasn’t worth the breeder’s time or effort to help it, let alone make any money off of it.
     I don’t know, maybe I’m just po’d because the story, while highlighting the tremendous triumph of the dog’s ability to survive an otherwise horrible condition, fails to highlight the equally terrible practices of unlicensed breeders who are only looking to make a buck of of living beings, and living beings who have a reputation bestowed upon them via media and history that is otherwise proven false time and again. Had this person not inquired about the noises coming form the garbage bag, what then would have potentially happened to this beautiful creature?

  • Maidofdevon

    in essance i am with scott but all I can say is YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA to harper rescue never have I seen such a beautiful and joyus Creature
    thanks fro the uplifting story xxxx

  • Lindalov_

    Nothing deformed about the love shining through this baby’s beautiful smiling eyes!

  • Amber Rubenfeld

    What a great tail! Great to you for standing up for this pup, and making a difference in his life. It really shows in his face. =) Keep up the good work :) I hope there are more people like you. 

  • Coreyrc

    What a fantastic story. This is the kind of thing that proves there is still some hope for humanity.

    On the other hand, the b@stard that was going to leave the poor thing to die in a garbage bag should be dragged out behind a shed and beaten within an inch of his pathetic, worthless life. Someone who is ready to leave a puppy to die sickens me and don’t deserve the joy of even being near an animal.

  • http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1 Edcedc8

    sniff

  • Gajin

    10 of 10 people found they had something in their eye after reading this article…

  • http://www.facebook.com/gmklimczak Gregory Matthew

    as a long-time pit owner I can say you are 100% wrong in your statement. No dog is bred to attack. It is through training, in fighting cases vicious training, where these dogs become vicious. One of the greatest Americans of all time Teddy Roosevelt had a pack of them at the White House playing with his children. Sorry about your dog, but do not let the actions of ONE taint your view on the breed. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FRVDDNJ7LZDADVM26PUUSXR7WQ milore

    I hate to think what would have happened to this puppy if that woman hadn’t heard it cry in the garbage bag. People can be so cruel. Beautiful animal.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000581108266 Trudy Thayer

    Thank God for angels like you who see  straight to the heart.  Glad to have met you through this article. I agree, Harper is a wonderful gift…….she is absolutely beautiful isn’t she.  

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000581108266 Trudy Thayer

    Stories like this should be on the front page of every newspaper in the world. We need this type of good news……..Harper is a beautiful little critter…..as is the woman who rescued her.  Bless them both.  Got a tear in my eyes.

  • Tsunami1590

    @bruce….donutz87 said the majority of the current generation and most humans. We all know some honest and good hearted people but the truth is donuts87 is right.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000003164639 Cheryl Marx-Bingham

    Harper is a true hero!

  • Tuesdaysun19

    What an amazing story….brought me to tears….she is breathtaking….Good Work…and a fantastic reward….god bless!

  • Mknotts56

    so beautiful i am so happy she was rescued can’t believe the original owner put her in trash bag to die.
    this little pitbull dog is a fighter and is able to walk again when all hope seemed to be lost. this shows us time and time again the resilience animals have.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jbeazer1 Julie Beazer

    Amazing story that will melt your heart!

  • http://www.facebook.com/james.ramaker James Jamie Ramaker

    Great Story……and pits are wonderful, loving, loyal family dogs.  We miss our beautiful black “pet bull” Chaka Kahn!  She was gentle and sweet and she is greatly missed.  We had her in our family for 13 years.

  • Anders Johanson

    Thank god for people like that!

  • Kharps2

    I want her.. she is so sweet looking! So glad that Erica decided to rehabilitate her! 

  • Log Cabins

    Instead of banning the breed, how about we start banning the owners? Isnt there laws against cruelty to animals? But, there are angels out there. And Harper is the sweetest pup. Pitbulls are making a comeback and for that, we are proud to have rescued two!

  • Margaretbeal70

    Wow what a amazing person who would Adopt that puppy and shame on the cruel person who was gonna throw that poor puppy away

  • Margaretbeal70

    Me 2 its so Cute why would a person want to throw it away

  • Ntpvmv2595

    Would you throw your child away if there was something wrong………………….!!!!

  • Samlaw100

    That happy face tells it all!

  • Jljhnsn21

    I love when people do great things to help such wonderful creatures.

  • renee

    Thank-you Erica!  You both are very beautiful :)

  • Guest

    Tears in my eyes.

  • Jamaica

    this puppy is adorable what sicko would want to get rid of it

  • Indiaharris3

     i thought the same thing

  • stephanie

    What a little sweetie!!! And god bless you. For taking care of. Him! !!


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