How Honda helped keep newborn puppies warm during a major Ontario ice storm

Everyone has a Honda story — and you can share yours now on social with #MyHondaStory.

If you drive, you probably have an “I’m so grateful for my car” story, whether it be the fond memories attached to a road trip, the relief of making it through a tough drive safe and sound, or some other unexpected yet remarkable moment.

Honda is celebrating those stories with its new "My Honda Story” social content series, inviting Canadians to share their most heartfelt and inspiring experiences behind the wheel of a Honda. 

Need a little inspiration? Here's a story involving preemie puppies, a ferocious ice storm, and a brave volunteer.

Meet Ashley

Ashley Andrews is the founder of Fur-Ever Able Dog Rescue and Rehab, a registered Canadian charity that cares for neonatal puppies born with disabilities. A full-time teacher and mom, Ashley dedicates every other waking moment to caring for special needs animals on her farm.

Fur-Ever Able Dog Rescue and Rehab

“Just because something’s different doesn’t mean it’s bad. Puppies that are euthanized due to disability can grow up to be just as amazing pets for a family as an able-bodied puppy,” she explains.

“We want to change the perspective of people who are always looking for ‘the best’ to help them realize that everything and everyone should be considered.”

An unforgettable storm

Ashley’s Honda story isn't about a car, but a generator.

“Because I work full-time as a teacher, I have a nursery on wheels that I bring to and from work with me,” says Ashley. “We use a Honda generator to run the trailer with air conditioning and heating for when it's parked at school.”

Honda

But it was at home last spring when disaster struck in the form of an ice storm. The entire farm lost power, and while this would be bad enough for the regular farm animals, it was life-threatening for the premature puppies who were in incubators.

Ashley sprang into action, grabbing the generator and running it from her bedroom so that she could power the incubators. While the small generator couldn’t power the entire house, it kept the incubators going until electricity returned.

Fur-Ever Able Dog Rescue and Rehab

“It’s still one of the worst things that’s ever happened,” Ashley recalls of the scary situation. “Everything around us was freezing, and we needed to keep those puppies alive.”

Without power from the generator, the puppies would not have survived.

The Honda difference

Ashley said her Honda generator made all the difference that spring. Lightweight enough for her to carry on her own, it powered the puppy’s incubators for seven hours at a time before refueling, until the power returned days later. 

In the future, Ashley plans on fundraising for an even larger generator so that she can power her whole farm in an emergency. In the meantime, she’s just grateful to have avoided complete disaster.

Fur-Ever Able Dog Rescue and Rehab

“I can live with ten coats and two pairs of snowpants. I’m not going to die. But these newborn puppies with defects can’t live without incubation. Living with that fear was torture, but I knew my puppies were warm in their incubator.”

Ashley’s Honda Story is a harrowing tale with a happy ending. What about yours?

For generations, Honda has been woven into the fabric of Canadian life, from driveways to job sites and joyrides to daily commutes. Whatever your story is, Honda wants to hear it. DM @hondacanada on Facebook or Instagram, or share your story to your own feed using #MyHondaStory.

And if you’re curious about Ashley and her puppies, you can also follow their journey on Instagram or make a donation online.