As the founder of Pampered Paw Gifts, and a former veterinary office employee, Téra Hamby has dedicated her life to helping animals. In fact, this successful business owner is absolutely passionate about rescue, so much so that she makes a point of donating part of her proceeds to rescue groups and shelters. But first and foremost, Téra is the proud mom of five rescued Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Here is the story of how her beloved little pack came to be.

“After the loss of my three Chihuahuas, who had been with me since I was 19, I was (and still am) completely devastated. But one by one, there were new fur babies who came into my life and needed me.

First, there was Liebchen. Someone brought her to the vet’s office where I worked. She was skin and bones, covered in fleas, her nails were horribly overgrown, and she had just had puppies. At the time, she was one or two years old — just a baby herself. According to the DNA test, she is Chihuahua with Dalmatian. She will be 8 years old in August.

Then came Munchkin. She was born without a tear duct in one eye and needed constant care. The breeder knew she wouldn’t be able to sell her, so she gave the little pup to me. She will be 5 years old in November.

Check out her adorable video:

Next came Liefde. When she was found as a stray, she was skin and bones, her nails were horribly overgrown, she was covered in fleas, had severe kidney problems, needed a dental, and had a small tumor on her chest. One ear had an old hematoma that wasn’t treated so her ear was cauliflowered. She was in such bad shape it was hard to guess her age, but we think she was around 9 or 10 years old. The vet gave her a month to live, but with my care, meds, and love, she was with me for a year and three months before we had to let her go to sleep.

Then along came Buttercup. She was a little Chiweenie who had been living in filth and had already had pups, even though she was barely 1 year old. She will celebrate her fourth birthday in August.

Fifth to arrive was Sweetpea, who was also surrendered at my vet office. She had either been kicked or stepped on because she was bruised on her belly and side and almost lost an eye. She has brain damage, but with lots of love and patience, she is a wonderful fur baby. According to the DNA test, she is a Chihuahua and Chinese Crested mix. She will be three years old in September.

My last rescue baby is Precious, adopted a year ago last February. She had been surrendered to another local vet and would have been put to sleep if we hadn’t stepped in and saved her. She was so little and her teeth were really bad, but now she is doing great after her dental. She just turned 7 years old, and we could not imagine life without her — she is indeed very precious.”

It’s amazing what love, attention, and care can do for an animal in-need, especially when it comes from a devoted rescuer with a giant heart. Téra is proof that once you open your heart to one rescue dog, it’s pretty hard to close it to another. After all, little dogs are like potato chips — you can’t have just one!