Murphey gets some playtime in after getting a fence and some much needed freedom.
#fencesforfido
Beavercreek, Oregon
Nick Esposti
Live From The Rose City
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, May 26, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Snow Days
The snow continues to fall in Oregon. So much of it in fact that work continues to be called off. That means this jackass (yours truly) continues to sit out in the freezing cold and take pictures of his dogs with all that free time.
Elvis
Clackamas County, Oregon
2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Dogs in Snow
The pups enjoy a snowy, freezing afternoon of play at home in Clackamas County, Oregon. As pleasant as it was, I think we are all very ready for spring.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Simple Changes
Upon entering the property where Lisa and Reba lived it was apparent that the two pointers were afraid and not to be approached. Actually, they were moved inside for the majority of the project. Both are loved by their elderly owner but due to circumstance had spent their outside time chained to heavy excavation equipment. However, we were there to change that and by the afternoon a fence was built and the chains were taken away. The transformation that takes place week in and week out is phenomenal and seems so simple. Chain a living being up and it becomes fearful, aggressive, and eventually broken. Take away the chains and it all changes, often immediately. The evidence speaks for itself.
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I waited very patiently looking through my lens as Lisa hid under a trailor and watched me right back. She finally stepped out and got a closer look at me. |
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Reba nervously looks on after we set posts on day 1 |
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History |
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Reba lets Jerry in for some love |
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The days reward |
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Lisa is a completely different dog off of the chain. Very soft and gentle. |
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Treat time for Reba |
For more information please visit www.fencesforfido.org
and......... if you are in the Portland/Salem/SW Washington area come out and help change a dogs life!
Monday, August 19, 2013
The Time Has Come For Your Light To Shine, Buddy!
Buddy spent nearly 14 years chained to a pole along a national forest treeline in The Columbia River Gorge. Isolation and a fixed walking distance was his reality. After discovering him this summer, a group of volunteers spent a weekend building him a fence and giving him his well deserved freedom. Simply meeting Buddy and spending a moment with him brought many to tears. As we worked, his old raspy howl could be heard, essentially telling us he demanded a visitor. It was painful to hear and it drove home why each and every one of us were out there. Everyone worked at an emotional pace until its completion in the afternoon. When he entered his fenced area, he hobbled along slowly swaying side to side trying to figure out how to run again. It was the first time in a very long time he was not dragging a heavy chain behind him. It felt as though he was not sure what to do and that uncertainty was beautiful. Knowing that he will live out the rest of his years liberated from a chain made me grateful that I was able to be a small part of this entire experience.
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First glimpse of Buddy and his reality |
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Andrea meets Buddy. He touched us all profoundly. |
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Buddy is happy with all of the attention |
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Outreach volunteers often form strong bonds with the dogs as was the case with Ryann |
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Dragging around heavy chains like this often cause severe physical (and mental) disabilities for the dogs |
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Getting a first look at a dog that has not been able to run for many years |
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There really is an understanding of gratitude that takes place between the volunteers and the dogs |
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Buddy got a steady flow of treats throughout his fence build |
It should be noted that Buddy will share his new fenced area with a young pittie named Roxy, also chained up in another area of the property. Hopefully, he will live out the rest of his life with a pal.
Stabler, WA
2013
For more information on Fences For Fido please visit the website:
www.fencesforfido.org
Monday, August 12, 2013
Happy 8
Today, my dog Elvis turned 8. I He's been my best pal since the day he came to me. He lives a sweet life these days that typically include chasing his tail, stealing food, and leading the charge when a squirrel enters the yard.
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Back in the day picture of me pestering him while he tries to nap |
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Chasing his tail with a nice photo bomb by Lu |
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Happy Birthday, big guy! |
Lisa and Reba
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Lisa |
The countdown is on to get Lisa and Reba off of those ugly chains. These two girls belong to an elderly man who adores them but all outside time must be spent on the end of a chains. If you have not learned from this blog by now, dogs become nervous and/or grumpy when they are chained. Think "fight or flight". Take away the latter and they are left with one means of defense. Luckily, these pups will be getting a fence real soon thanks to a group of tight-knit and dedicated volunteers.
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Reba |
Milwaukie, Oregon
2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Flex For Big Brother
Recently, I finally got the opportunity to see my brother, Tony, compete at The San Jose Bodybuilding Championships and take first place. I was impressed throughout the entire competition at how dedicated and composed the athletes were. Watching my brother walk out on the stage and pose with pride was an experience I will always remember. He started this journey as a little fella doing pushups. Now he is a champion.
Santa Clara, California
2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Goodbye, for now
Today I said goodbye to my stepfather Michael, who passed away unexpectedly this week. It's been an incredibly tough week. Exceptionally heavy, actually. I have spent my time back home in a supporting role for my mother who lost her best friend. I have been involved with many of the arrangements for his service, sifting through pictures and intently searching for the perfect music to play. ofyen, i found myself breaking down at what I was actually doing. Surreal, disbelief, and grief are three words that immediately come to mind. Michael was a lifelong friend and he will be greatly missed by many. He loved the Dodgers, the 49ers, and the Warriors. He was a smartass, a storyteller, and was shy around people. Realizing he is gone has been overwhelming at times at such an early stage. A good friend shared a poem on the subject that I have found great comfort in. We had it read during his service realizing that many others may find that same comfort. Goodbye, for now, Michael.
Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Turning Loverboy Loose
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Elvis The Horse
Elvis is a horse that was a victim of abuse and neglect from the elements of the Pacific Northwest. He was rescued this winter and is on the road to becoming a happy horse again.
2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Shadows Day
Videographer Brian Grubb, gets some footage of Shadow before the build |
Volunteer Mindy watching and enjoying Shadow goof off. This look pretty much sums up his personality. |
Happy Dog |
Dogs that live on tethers often become tangled in them |
Dogs Just Know Oregon City, Oregon 2013 For more information please visit: www.fencesforfido.org |
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