Rescue Chihuahua Inspires Skateboard Artist

Two and a half years ago, David Hendrickson of Orange County, CA, was working at a local animal shelter when he heard that a pregnant dog at the shelter had been poisoned by its owner. Three of the five newborns did not survive while the other two were rescued at the shelter.

When Hendrickson walked over to look at the poor pups, he fell in love and adopted the male pup that day. Hendrickson was raised with all different kinds of rescue animals, but unlike any of the other rescues he has had, William, a chihuahua-terrier mix, was extremely sick from the poison, needing multiple surgeries. After receiving a degree in Graphic Design, he knew that he wanted to do something with design and rescue animals.

He used an inexpensive silk screening machine to screened a silhouette of William on a few white T-shirts and hand-painted koi on his first skateboards. Eventually, this turned into the company Boards 4 Barks which donates $10 from every purchase to animal rescues.  They also sell t-shirts that achieve that same goal.

Today, the pup is fully healed and can be seen with Hendrickson riding around on his skateboard.

For more great gifts for pet lovers see our 10 Gifts for under $10 slideshow!