Orphaned Pup Now an Ambassador for Pit Bull Rescue, Breed

Kindness can make all the difference in the life of a rescue animal. Huckleberry the pit bull is proof of that. 

"Huck" was born to Mama Petunia—a pit bull brought to It’s a Pittie Rescue with burns over 25 percent of her body, injuries from being hit by a car, and 10 precious pups ready to enter the world. Petunia died April 7, 2013, but her legacy lives on in Huck, who appears with It's a Pittie to raise awareness of the breed. Huck and the rescue organization have teamed up with Chew on This Dog Barkery in Frankfort, in collecting toys for shelter animals. 

"Bad things happen in this world. If we look closely though, if we wait, good always seem to come," said Chew on This Owner Teresa Kara.

Chew on This Dog recently hosted a Meet and Greet with Huckleberry, asking visitors to bring toys for Operation Celebration: Give Joy with a Toy. Kara matched every toy bought and donated by customers. Nearly 100 toys were donated during the three-hour launch event.

“One of the important aspects of rescues and shelters is socialization," Kara said. "So many dogs come to these facilities physically and emotionally wounded, unable to adapt to a new home without the help of volunteers who actively engage them with affirmation, training, play time and respectful discipline. Toys are a big part of making that happen and we are really glad we can help out like this." 

The goal is to collect 1,000 toys; the total currently sits at 900.

Donations can be made at Chew on This Dog Barkery at 21 S. Ash St. in downtown Frankfort through Feb. 28. Kara will continue to match all toy donations through that time. For more information on the rescue operations of It’s a Pittie Rescue, visit their Facebook page or their website.