Harper the Puppy to be Immortalized by Artist Ron Burns
You saw her adorable appearance on The Today Show with Matt Lauer last Tuesday, and now you will soon be able to see Harper’s portrait immortalized by colorful animal artist and philanthropist RonBurns to benefit Dolly’s Foundation.
If you are unfamiliar with Harper’s remarkable story, she was saved by Erica Daniel, founder of Dolly’s Foundation, when she approached a man in front of a store selling pit-bull puppies for $50 a piece. Next to him was a trash bag that was squirming and moving. When she inquired about what was inside the bag, the man first told her “to not worry about it.” However, she continued to press the issue until the man revealed the bag’s contents – Harper, deformed and unable to walk or lift her head. Erica decided, on the spot, to take her home with her. Veterinarians and shelter volunteers examined her and agreed that, due to her condition, she should be euthanized. It was determined that Harper was born with a disorder known as pectavus excavatum, more commonly known as “swimmer puppy disorder” which causes puppies to lay flat on their stomachs with their front and hind legs spread – like a frog swimming in water. It was Erica’s intention, at that point, to bring her home for one full day and let Harper know what it meant to be loved and to sleep in a warm bed for one night. She would then have Harper humanely euthanized the following morning. Or so Erica thought.
That evening, Daniel massaged Harper’s muscles. Within a few hours, she began to lift her head and attempted to move her front legs. That was all that was needed to convince Erica that Harper deserved a second chance. The wonderful people at Hip Dog Canine Hydrotherapy and Fitness donated free hydrotherapy and massage therapy sessions to help Harper learn how to walk – and it worked. Harper can now walk on grass, carpet and concrete. She’s learning now to walk on tile and hardwood floors. She can even run – and apparently enjoys chewing on Matt Lauer’s shoelaces.
“Harper’s story truly exemplifies the will to live. She’s an inspiration and its an honor to be given the opportunity, through my art, to do something for Harper, Erica and her foundation,” says Burns. Ronis currently in his paint studio working on his portrait of Harper. To see piece upon completion, join the Ron Burns mailing list located here or by going to www.ronburns.com/mailinglist.
The start of Ron’s painting of Harper
ABOUT RON BURNS
Affectionately known as America’s Favorite Animal Artist, demand for Burns’ original work, limited editions, and books continue to flourish on the strength of gallery sales, word of mouth among collectors, and media praise. He has been featured twice on Extreme Makeover – Home Edition, and on CNN, Fox News, and other national television spots, including a segment on Good Morning America. Additionally, his art has been in multiple magazines, including TIME, New York Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle, and Forbes, which writes that Ron’s style is “extremely collectible.” Ron holds the esteemed honor and privilege of being the one-and-only Artist in Residence for The Humane Society of The United States. In the state of Arizona, his Pet Friendly State License Plate has generated over $1,200,000 to support Spay/Neuter programs. Clients include Elizabeth Taylor, the Princess of Morocco, Joan Rivers, and Doc Severinson. Most recently, Ron has completed portraits of Wall-E, the pup that famously survived euthanasia twice and Roselle, the heroic 9/11 guide dog that saved her handler’s life on 9/11.
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