Steffi was an unintended rescue. When hart volunteers were
called out to Hobbema to rescue two female dogs and their litters,
they met Steffi, a dog that knew a better life was out there and
would not be left behind. During the rescue, Steffi actually jumped
into the back of one of the volunteer's vehicles. There was
no denying that Steffi was in poor health, so with a smile on her
face, Steffi drove off to a new life.
Just a couple of days after her rescue, Steffi was diagnosed
with distemper, an infectious and contagious viral disease that in
dogs her age has a 50% mortality rate. Steffi was cared for
in quarantine for a few months by a committed team of hart
volunteers before she was given a clean bill of health. Along
the way she gave birth to a healthy litter of puppies and won the
hearts of the entire hart community. Without the commitment of the
volunteer team responsible for her rescue and care, it is difficult
to imagine that Steffi would have survived. Despite her difficult
start in life, Steffi is an affectionate girl that can make anyone
smile. Steffi was once a stray dog but now, Steffi is strong,
healthy, and very happy with her new life.
To help pay for Steffi's extensive medical bills a small
painting initiative was created. Steffi began painting art and hart
began selling it to the hart community. The response was not only
positive, but led to a large hart art initiative.
Dogs like Steffi who have incredible stories are able to
contribute to the fundraising efforts of hart through their paw
paintings. This initiative began as a way to pay for Steffi's
medical bills and evolved into a permanent hart
initiative. Patricia, the human artist, works with each rescue
dog to create original art. Paintings range in size from tiny
collectible ACEO cards to large pieces on stretched canvas.
Each piece of hart art is unique and created by a hart rescue
dog. All of the proceeds go directly into giving stray and
abandoned dogs a fresh start at a life filled with warmth and
love.
Visit the Art For Sale Album to
purchase art!
Contact hartfund@gmail.com to order!
