We occasionally run giveaways and contests here at The Mountain. They’re fun, interactive ways to get members of our tribe involved in the brand and the company. It’s also a wonderful way for us to get to know you!

Our last big contest was in August. We asked for photos of canine friends as we celebrated National Dog Day. We selected three winners, who will each receive a version of their winning photo printed on a Mountain T-shirt. One of those winners has an outstanding story to tell.

The winning photo and resulting t-shirt design

Our human winner is Teri Walters, a Mountain Tribe member who operates Safehaven Small Breed Rescue, a small breed rescue facility in northwest Pennsylvania. Teri submitted a picture of Calvin, a Pomeranian/Maltese mix who came to her six years ago with a heart defect. Through fundraising efforts (yes, Calvin has a Facebook page), Teri covered Calvin’s vet bills. Now, Calvin serves as the mascot of Safe Haven, a facility designed to take in dogs chewed up and spit out by puppy mills.

“Every spring we get a number of dogs that come from these puppy mills that have no more use for them,” said Walters. “Sometimes they’re breeders who’ve gotten old. Sometimes they’re dogs that have health problems and these puppy mills don’t want to pay for the necessary vet services.”

Calvin “driving” the cart at the Oakland Beech Golf Club in Conneaut for Safehaven’s annual
Golf Scramble fundraising event.

Each spring, Teri holds an online auction to help cover expenses for the Safe Haven. She tries to raise between $3,000-$5,000 a year. That money doesn’t cover the entire costs needed to care for the 60-or-so dogs that come in each year, but it helps, she said.

Terri will hold her auction in 2018. She’ll put the T-shirt (picture) of Calvin as one of the items up for bid.

Calvin chillin' in the grass at home. Such a handsome fella!

“A lot of people have been following him since Day One when he was so sick,” Teri said. “He is a special little boy. I think people really enjoy his energy and spirit.”

We enjoy Teri’s enthusiasm, too, and applaud her work with small breeds. We’re happy to have her a member of the Mountain Tribe.