Live From The Rose City: November 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A Glimpse At Hope

Volunteer Tim takes a moment to show Nike just how much he means to him during the railroad fence build. Often, there are many unfavorable emotions that surface when working to unchain dogs. However, as this image proves, there is an overwhelming tenderness and sense of accomplishment that soon takes over in all of us making it all worth it.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

The Railroad Dogs

"Nike" looks on at the volunteers working to build him a new fenced area

"Doger"

This special guy is confined to a short zip line at the back of the property

"Gordo"

One look into this dogs eyes proves that he is anything but a ferocious guard dog

Volunteer Sue gently approaches a frightened and shy "Gordo"

A volunteer talks to a newly freed "Nike" as he looks for "Gordo", who soon will share a brand new fenced area on the other side of him.

Derek taking off "Gordo's" chain for the first time

"Nike" looking on at all of the excitement taking place. Most likely the greatest day of this young pups life.

Derek and Cedar have an intimate moment with "Three Legs" (now named "Trike"). The two had just learned that the owner is going to allow them to adopt him and take him home at the conclusion of the fence build. This pup has just hit the jackpot.

This is what we do

On a rainy and muddy November day a group of volunteers took time off from their schedules to help change the lives of five "guard dogs" recently discovered chained up on piece of property along a railroad. Each dog was strategically placed along the property. The volunteers come from an organization called "Fences For Fido", a group whose purpose is to unchain dogs throughout Western Oregon and Southwestern Washington by building fences and hopefully changing some thought processes along the way. After an emotional negotiation process with the dogs' owner, the group was given the go-ahead to provide a couple of fences and zip lines for the dogs. There was something dark and disturbing about the dogs discovered on this particular property. The dogs were confined with heavy chains to a distance of about five feet and most lived their lives alone, never seeing the others throughout the property. The weather contributed to filthy conditions. Wet and muddy. As if these conditions were not enough, one of the two dogs at the back of the property was missing a leg. It was learned that this young pitbull called "Three Legs" had lost a leg when he was hit by a train one day after getting loose. Upon his return, he was simply chained back up minus one leg. Another dog on the property was an expecting mother. The list seemed to go on and on. It was apparent that these were all truly broken dogs. There was a sense of urgency and the turnout by Fences For Fido volunteers proved that. Within a few hours two dogs, called "Nike" & "Gordo" each had a large fenced area which was split down the center, allowing them to see each other. "Nike's" chain had to be cut off and he immediately ran the entire span of his new area. Along the way he gave thanks to each volunteer with some fresh mud. The release of "Gordo" was equally heartfelt. The transformation from a life of chains to freedom was instant and amazing. I want to really reiterate the latter. The apex of the day came when it was learned that one of the volunteers, Derek, was going to be allowed to adopt "Three Legs" at the conclusion of the days events. This process was started upon Derek's first visit to the property to set posts for the fence build. He immediately fell in love and was willing to do whatever it took to give the pup the warm and loving life he deserved. Reluctant at first, the owner conceded after a lengthy negotiating process ("Three Legs" is now named "Trike"). Witnessing the days events evoked deep emotion to all involved and many to tears. A process in which all of us will never forget. I'm sure of this. It also proved that all of these dogs were anything but ferocious "guard dogs" and like most other living beings in this world just want to experience love and affection. Unfortunately, the story is not over. There is still the pregnant dog (that was not seen on this day) which means more dogs that will almost surely fall under the same predicament. Moreover, "Doger", the spry and good natured sheppard at the back of the property remains confined to a zip line. With more hard negotiations and the selfless work of the volunteers of Fences For Fido, these pups will be freed hopefully someday very soon. This is what we do. One dog at a time.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Just Golden

There is no question that this is my favorite view that I have witnessed with my own eyes. Growing up in the Bay Area I have probable been across The Golden Gate Bridge a thousand times. To this day I am taken back each and every time I ride across it. It is simply a magnificent beauty. On this night I was leaving from a show in the city in the wee hours of the morning. I could not resist stopping and setting up my camera and tripod. As I stood at this popular rest stop in the brisk air I waited for any kind of traffic to approach so I could try to get a nice trail of lights across the image. Usually, when I go home to visit I fly in to SFO and the drive across this mighty bridge represents a nice mix of relief, excitement, and emotion.

The Golden Gate Bridge

From the Marin side 2010