2016: In Memoriam — Famous Dogs

Yesterday we looked back at some of the many red carpet names we lost this year, spotlighting celebrities who have left a legacy of support for animal welfare. Today we take a look at several of the famous pets who left for the Bridge this year, although their efforts to help homeless pets will be felt for many years to come.

A Pit Bull who had suffered from abuse before finding her forever special someone in actress Rebecca Corry, Angel was her human mother’s inspiration for the founding of the Stand Up for Pits Foundation, a non-profit which raises funds for Pit Bull rescues from coast to coast. Dedicated to ending BSL, Angel gave out pooch smooches at Stand Up for Pits comedy events and rallied dog lovers at the One Million Pibble March in Washington, DC in 2014. The “velvet hippo” also struck a pose with her pet parent for Show Your Soft Side’s photo campaign to stop animal abuse.

Angel with her human, actress Rebecca Corry:

Photo Credit: Show Your Soft Side/ Myriam Santos

A dog who endured a decade of hell in a puppy mill, Harley embarked on a mission that was heaven sent after his rescue. Shining a light on one of the darkest topics in the world of animal welfare, the tiny Chihuahua who was saved by National Mill Dog Rescue showed everyone that, while the years of torment took its toll on his body, he had refused to let it touch his spirit.

Harley’s determined spirit prompted his loving pet parents Rudi and Dan Taylor to launch the “Harley to the Rescue” campaign, which has helped to raise funds for rescue and provided medical care for more than 500 dogs who had been trapped in the same nightmare once experienced by Harley. The stout-hearted dog’s quest to put an end to puppy mills also led him to make public appearances in support of his paws cause, and to take part in life-saving rescue missions in order to alleviate the fears of dogs when their cage doors finally opened.

The recipient of the 2015 American Humane Association’s coveted American Hero Dog Award crossed Rainbow Bridge in March 2016 at the age of 15. His legacy of love lives on through Harley’s Dream, which was founded in 2016.

“A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien #HarleysDream #ENDpuppymills https://t.co/OhCIgyqVYt pic.twitter.com/FXeqbKL3kq

— Harley’s Dream (@Harleys_Dream) December 3, 2016

Not only did Moonie make audiences laugh through his portrayal of Bruiser in the blockbuster big screen comedy Legally Blonde, the rescue Chihuahua also helped to make audiences think about the need to end cosmetics testing on animals when his character went in search of his mother in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde. After a long and fulfilling life, the talented tail-wagger was 18 when he crossed Rainbow Bridge.

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