Harley is a dog suffering from a rare disease that causes his paws to keep growing, and his viral video has made him known as the “bear-dog.”
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A viral video, seen more than 3.7 million times since it was shared on TikTok on December 16, showed Harley, a dog with a rare disease that has left his paws much larger than a dog of his size would normally have.
According to veterinarians, the pads on Harley’s paws never stop growing. In an interview with Newsweek, his owner Ellie Capala explained that although her “baby’s” paws certainly attract attention, fortunately, the condition causes no pain, and there are no known health issues associated with it.
The Cleveland Clinic defines hyperkeratosis as a condition causing thickening of the skin in certain areas, affecting both humans and dogs.
“All of this is in line with our vet. It’s because of a gene he has. Fortunately, it hasn’t affected him physically, and it won’t cause him any discomfort. It just means we have to apply a balm to his paws to help with any cracks because they don’t stop growing,” Ellie said.
She also assures that the dog is much loved and is “enjoying” his new fame on social media: “There’s not a person who doesn’t love him; he’s a big friendly bear,” she summed up.
