Who Was Harry

Harry wasn't just a dog; he was a whispered promise, a beacon of resilience, and the very heart of Hugs for Harry. He was an angel, a guiding star, who stole my heart with a quiet strength that belied the horrors he'd endured.

Imagine a tiny, broken soul, terrified and scarred, a victim of the cruelest of human depravity. Harry was a bait dog, used and abused in the dark world of dog fighting, a world that left him toothless and his spirit shattered. When he arrived at the shelter, his body bore the marks of unimaginable pain, but beneath the scars, a flicker of hope remained.

I spent countless hours earning his trust, gently coaxing him from the shadows of his trauma. And slowly, miraculously, Harry began to heal. He blossomed into a love-bug, a gentle soul who radiated sweetness. We shared joyful days, raising funds for the shelter, where children would cover his wiggly, orange and white body with lipstick kisses during "Kiss the Pitt" days. He became a symbol of hope, a testament to the power of love to overcome even the deepest wounds.

Then, without warning, on a day I wasn't there, they took him. They euthanized him, and no one could explain why. My heart shattered, the light dimmed. Harry, my precious boy, was gone. But his memory, his spirit, lives on in Hugs for Harry.

We are Harry’s legacy, a promise to honor his life by rescuing and loving senior, hurt, and hard-to-place dogs, giving them the second chance Harry never got. We are here to shine a light in the darkness, to offer the hugs Harry would have given, and to ensure that no other dog suffers as he did.

Our hearts ache for the senior, the special-needs, the overlooked dogs of the Bay Area – the ones who have been deemed "too old," "too fragile," or "too much." We see the beauty in their soulful eyes, the wagging tail that still holds a lifetime of love to give, and we know that every dog deserves a chance to live out their days in comfort, dignity, and surrounded by unwavering love. We are a community built on compassion, dedicated to championing these precious lives.

We believe that age is just a number, that special needs are just unique ways of being, and that "hard-to-place" simply means they haven't found their perfect match yet.

We're here to change that. We're here to offer a haven, a soft bed, a gentle touch, and the medical care they need. But more than that, we're here to connect these deserving dogs with equally compassionate families in the Bay Area – families who understand the profound joy of opening their hearts and homes to a dog who needs them most.

We believe that every dog, no matter their age or condition, deserves to know the warmth of a loving home, the joy of a belly rub, and the peace of knowing they are cherished. We are their advocates, their champions, and their voice, ensuring that their golden years are truly golden.

Our Mission

Giving Them the Best Life Possible

Rescue

For senior, special-needs, and vulnerable dogs, time is often of the essence. We work urgently to rescue them from shelters and other precarious situations, offering them a sanctuary of love and hope.

Beyond rescue, we provide compassionate grooming, attentive care, and often, critical and urgent medical treatment, directly impacting their lives and giving them a chance at a brighter future.

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Fostering & Placement

Once we rescue a dog and attend to their immediate needs, we place them with compassionate and loving foster parents while they are waiting for their forever homes.

We're dedicated to uniting our cherished rescues with loving families, creating forever bonds that truly blossom.

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Providing Life Long Care

When we rescued our pups, we committed to provide them kindness and compassion and care for the rest of their lives. Some of them will have never experienced love and desperately need our safety net. We are dedicated to providing them forever loving homes.

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Chief Hugs Officers

Melonie Jackson - Founder & Chief Hugs Officer

Alexandra Saunders - Ambassador, Hugs & Cuddles

Jennifer Reilly - Ambassador, Hugs & Cuddles

Elizabeth Murphy - Ambassador, Hugs & Cuddles

Make an impact today

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