Chica the Duct Taped Doberman Becomes World's Happiest Dog

Chica the Doberman puppy commited an unforgiveable crime. She grabbed hold of laundry that was drying on the clothesline and ran about the yard chewing and soiling it. When her family discovered her game, they didn’t shrug their shoulders or laugh at their 8-month-old dog’s antics. Instead Chica’s guardian went into the house, grabbed a roll of duct tape and began wrapping and wrapping it around Chica’s muzzle, over her delicate whiskers, determined that she would never open her mouth again. Yet destiny had more in store for Chica than a slow death by dehydration, and clear across Mexico, a rescuer was being summoned to the plate.

Hector Navarro and his wife Carla Cabrera of Cancun are die hard animal lovers. They’ve rescued many animals and Carla had just mentioned that she’d like to open their home to a Doberman. Because Carla was on her way out of town for a few days, Hector got to work on his own and began looking online for a dog to join their household. He wasn’t prepared to stumble across a ghastly Facebook photo of Chica and a desperate plea for help from an anonymous neighbor who had been watching Chica’s suffering. From the moment he saw Chica’s Facebook photo, Hector was a man on fire.

Hector poured over thousands of posts on Care2 and Facebook and sent hundreds of emails. He called veterinary clinics and rescue groups in the area and kept coming across the name Fernanda Janine Luna as someone who could help, but he simply could not find a way to reach Fernanda. With time running out, he decided it was time for plan B.

Scouts in Guadalajara helped bring Chica home. (Left) Luis Armando Navarro Dominguez

Hector packed his bags and was preparing to fly to Tepic when he was introduced to a man there named Miguel Dibildox, a Scout leader who was known for providing veterinary care to rescue dogs. Miguel and Hector had an instant connection and Miguel had heard of a woman named Fernanda who had jumped the fence to release the doberman but was caught.

Hector dialed the phone nervously, almost afraid to hold out hope, when a friendly voice on the other end welcomed his call. It was indeed Fernanda Janine Luna and she was ready to try again. Hector gave Fernanda ransom money to buy Chica from her abusers and as she summoned the courage to bang on their door and negotiate for the dog’s release, he waited breathlessly by the phone for news.

When the phone rang several hours later, Hector could barely believe his ears. Chica was safe.

“I hanged up the phone, collapsed to the floor and broke down in tears,” Hector said.

Hector holds Chica for the first time.

And that began one of the most beautiful love stories between man and dog. Chica made the 1,400 mile journey to meet Hector and his wife Carla and their house full of rescued pets. The Harmony Fund international animal rescue network has named Chica “Happiest Dog on Earth” for 2012 with hopes that her incredible story will spark further rescues.

: Chica (left with pink collar) enjoys a day at the beach with her new family.

Chica’s Rescue Crusade to Help Others

“Sometimes we see evil being done around us and we think, ‘Somebody will handle that’, but what if that someone was meant to be us?,” Hector explains. “You will never regret doing the right thing.” See Chica’s Facebook Page

Chica’s not done yet. She has become a focal point for people searching for hope. Today she is reaching out to unleash the rescue of “Chicas” all across the planet with a grant of $250,000 to the Harmony Fund through the Chase Community Giving challenge on Facebook. The contest winner will be decided according to votes and the Harmony Fund, an organization driven by Care2 readers, is in the top 10 finalists. Click here to vote for the Harmony Fund on Facebook or visit our website to see a beautiful series of photos of Chica, The Happiest Dog on Earth.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Marianne F.

11:09AM PDT on Apr 12, 2013

Thank you for this great story.

April 12
send a green star

Duane B.

11:40AM PDT on Mar 23, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

March 23
send a green star

Fi T.

5:02AM PST on Feb 6, 2013

There should be happy dogs everywhere

February 6
send a green star

Barbara J.

4:53PM PST on Jan 10, 2013

People can be so cruel, at least there's a happy ending.

January 10
send a green star

Mary H.

12:54PM PST on Jan 8, 2013

She was only a puppy and that looked like fun, how can a person be so mean. I can remember having to do a wash over because of children and dogs having a great time. made the children help me get the cloths up and scolded children and dogs but then it was over and we all went inside for something to eat. Have to admit when got by myself had to laugh a little, they were having so much fun.It is good that God put some people on this earth that can save these animals.