A Sigh Of Relief For Christmas

K-Rina shows us a sigh of relief and gratitude after her fence is built. Often, when the chain or tethered source is removed from the dogs collar, fear and aggression disappear almost immediately. 

Portland, Oregon

2012

Tunnel Vision

An addicts'eye
Through
The lens of recovery

The Power of Taking Action

This is Derek releasing Gordo from his chain and into a new fenced area. This day was my first true exposure into the darkness that is chaining dogs. Gordo was one of five "guard dogs" chained across a property to invoke fear and deter trespassers. In reality, they were all full of love and starved of affection. I consider this to be the most important photograph I have ever taken. It demonstrates the raw power and emotion of taking action.

Aurora, Oregon

2011

Nick The Beach Pittie

On a drizzly Saturday morning, a pitbull named 'Nick' enters his new yard after a morning fence build. Before this moment he lived every moment of his life on a chain. Knowing that he is free from any chains makes the six hour round trip to the Washington Coast worth every mile.

Ocean Park, Washington

2012

Welcome Home, Lu

Meet Lulu the Cattle Dog and newest member of the pack. She comes from The Central California Corridor, a region in which shelters are inundated and overwhelmed with dogs. Strays that enter into the system typically have five days to be claimed or rescued. Ninety percent of those that enter do not make it out. I knew she belonged with us so I made the trip from Portland to pick her up. She is now resting comfortably with her three brothers after a long day of raising hell.

Lulu

2012

Tank

Tank

Molalla, Oregon

2012

Bear

Bear

Woodburn, Oregon

2012

Cruelty Free

You wear fur = You are scum

Anti-fur demonstration downtown

Portland, Oregon

2009

The Tree Dogs

Sometimes even a couple of months notice cannot be enough time to emotionally prepare yourself for some conditions when arriving on a property to build fences for chained dogs. Such is the case with the "tree dogs". The fence was to be built for nine dogs on this day. Three of which were tucked away in the woods and lived their lives chained to large trees. The visual after the short hike into the woods immediately took my breath away. Two of the three sweet dogs were seniors and the third a young fella. I had not seen anything like it and hope I never do again. After four hours we were able to put up a fence large enough for all of the dogs to live together. It takes mental discipline to not hand down judgement and to focus on our primary goal of providing a fence while eliminating chains. To date, I do not think anybody knows the purpose of of chaining these dogs away in the woods and I don't think we ever will. Personally, it was an honor to be a part of this build and it will probably stay with me forever.

Vancouver, Washington

2012

Sasha Kind Of Night

One great DJ

One great night

Sasha and Digweed's small club tour of North America

Portland, Oregon

2008

Thankful

Today I am thankful for........

The force and energy that give me my next breath

Another day without a drink or a drug
The canines by my side

A family

Surviving heartbreaks intensity

Sparing the life a turkey that would lose its life in the name of a ridiculous tradition 

Music that continues to hit my soul

And so it continues..............

Play

Rosaline is all play after she is released from her chain

Gresham, Oregon

2012

Thank You Veterans

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

President George Washington

Willamnette National Cemetary

Portland, Oregon

2012

Walking Into

Creeping fog on The St. Johns Bridge in the middle of the night

Portland, Oregon 

2010

Empty

A walk through the park after midnight

Portland, Oregon

2010

Spin

Taking 'Me First And The Gimme Gimmes' for a spin

2010

Punk As A Blur

Bassist Kenny Norris of Portland punk band Brigadier

Portland, Oregon

2012

Train Art

Exploring the train yard and getting lost in the artwork detailed on each boxcar

North Portland, Oregon 

2010

A Taste Of Hardcore

Death By Stereo

The Know

Portland, Oregon 2012

Glow

The glow of stained glass illuminates the sidewalk in the wee hours of night

United Church of Christ

Downtown Portland

2010

Nike

Nike, was one of five dogs chained 24/7 on a property adjacent to the train tracks. Since getting fences built, two have been rescued and receive the rockstar treatment. Hopefully, someday Nike will be the third of "The Railroad Dogs" to be lucky enough to take on the rockstar status.

 

3

Hank 3

Roseland Theater

Portand, Oregon 2012

On To The Sweet Life. Rest In Peace Old Fella!

This morning I sadly received news of the passing of Biaggi, a fido that touched many of our lives' last spring. Biaggi lived his entire life on tethered to the end of a heavy chain. It was clear he was near the end of his life. A small, eager group of volunteers from Fences For Fido came out to build him a fence. It was important and vital for all involved to ensure he lived out the rest of his life chain free. To pass on with dignity. For me, this was the most emotional build I have been involved with to date. To witness a dog that does not wag his tail carry with him a broken spirit is both haunting and heartbreaking. The picture becomes worse when it is clear and apparent that the owner knows better. In the end, Biaggi received his fence. To know he was able to live out the rest of his time roaming freely, basking in the sun, and hopefully gaining that wag back brings some light into this experience for all involved. Biaggi's story strengthens our mission to unchain each and every dog that suffers from this unnecessary practice. 

Thank you Kelly Peterson for your determination and perseverance. You are a guardian angel to each and every dog who's yard you step into!

Rest In Peace, Old Fella!

Biaggi

2012

Happy Dog

GusGus

2012

Homeless In Seattle

A dose of humor and reality on the streets

Seattle, WA 2012

Waiting In The Pen

Awaiting the call from "the skipper"

Giants vs D-Backs

AT&T Park

San Francisco, CA 2012

Visiting Bruce and Brandon

My visit with Bruce and Brandon Lee this summer.

Lakeview Cemetery, Seattle, WA  2012

Pitching Change

Felix is relieved after throwing a gem against San Francisco on Fathers Day

Seattle, Washington 2012

Palamino Eye

Name and Location undisclosed

Burnside Gate

Walking up the stairwell and through the gates onto The Burnside Bridge from Eastbank Esplanade at dusk. A perfect summer night.

Portland, Oregon 2012

Grandpa's Dogs

Joe & Jake

Point Arena, California

Photo taken by Leonard Craig "Grandpa"

Joe and Jake were my great grandfathers hunting dogs. I found this photo last summer as I was sifting through my grandparents' photo albums. I always remember this photo framed and hanging in my great grandfathers gun room as you entered the house. My great grandparents lived on the north coast of California in a foggy little town just up the bluff from the ocean. I usually went up with my grandparents once a month to check on things. My great grandfather was usually gone at sunrise into the mountains everyday and the dogs were right there with him. When he was home, Joe and Jake were always sprawled out in front of the fireplace that never seemed to fade. These guys lived to run in the hills. With one call from grandpa, they were in the front seat of his truck and ready to go. As a boy, I watched these guys grow old and eventually pass on to doggie heaven. I have always been surrounded by dogs and my love for them started with these two exceptional dogs. Finding this photo brought me right back to those days (as will probably be the case for my family as they see this).

Today my grandparents' dog Sugar passed away and it reminded me of all of our dogs of the past. Its sad to see them move on to the afterlife but this picture is an example of how they will all live on forever in our hearts. 

Tank

Tank stares directly into the lens from beyond his fence

Molalla, Oregon 2012