Written by Kelly Peterson

 

Since we met the “Railroad Five” we accepted that these chained “guard” dogs may only get warm dog houses and zip lines from Fences For Fido. They may never feel the mad crazy love we developed for each of them the moment we laid our eyes on those very first unforgettable photos. Yet that reality did not paralyze any of our volunteers, and in true Fences For Fido spirit, we wiped away heartbreaking tears and unspeakable sadness, to do all that was possible and within our control: giving five special souls a little more warmth, freedom, dignity, and more than enough hugs, kisses and love to attempt to begin to make up for a lifetime of loneliness.

 

Although all of our hopes and dreams for these extraordinary fidos haven’t come true … yet, we did manage to receive a poignant gift from a family who went from complete resistance to cautious acceptance.  And, that gift came in the form of one tiny but powerful, joyful word: YES!

 

We credit the family’s change of heart to the fact that:  (1) the family witnessed our volunteers working quietly, diligently, respectfully on their property without judgment; and (2) while in discussions with the family the immense support and sheer will from our volunteers was channeled into every single conversation. We simply never gave up, and we methodically considered every small interaction with the family—keeping our eyes on the big, furry prize. And, quite simply, we did not want to let our volunteers, or these love-starved dogs, down.

 

While it seemed like a lifetime to wait for this intensely affecting, life-changing build, it was ONLY 18 days from the moment we visited the family until both Gordo and Nike, two of the five dogs, had transitioned from short, heavy, cold chains to warm dog houses to zip lines to complete freedom, Tryke, a third dog, was fully rescued from his lonely life of isolation and hopelessness and is sleeping each and every night next to Derek Rupp, one of our most beloved volunteers, and Dodger, the fourth dog, an active, keenly aware, loving cattle dog, was at least given a warm dog house, to keep him dry throughout the winter, a long zip line, to prevent him from getting tangled in the chain, and a harness, to protect him from choking himself when he zooms about on his new zippy line.

 

Gordo

 

Nike

  

Tryke (formerly Three Legs because his rear leg was torn

off in an accident)

 

Dodger

 

Upon learning of living conditions of these affection starved, submissive lap dogs (disguised as “guard” dogs), their circumstances haunted our minds and hearts, and even the most experienced, seasoned of volunteers were eerily affected. The images found their way into all of our dreams, dogs with individual personalities, souls and needs living essentially forgotten, without spirit, love or dignity. Whether it was your 1st or 46th fence build, the pain was experienced by all and the sense of emergency was unlike any other we’d experienced especially when we discovered by accident a 5th dog on the property: a chained Mama dog who had just given birth to a litter of six puppies.

 

Mama

 

STILL. Volunteers immediately rallied quietly, quickly and without a pause in action. Prior to fence build day, volunteers came out to the property multiple times in pairs and small groups to build dog houses and zip lines, to dig holes and set posts, and to continue discussions with the family.  These moments were stolen in many ways—our volunteers are all VERY busy. They have full-time jobs with tremendous demands. They have full, rich lives but still they found time to make as many visits as needed—regardless of weather or time of day—in an effort to make even the tiniest of changes that might make for a more merciful existence for these special dogs.

 

There are no real words that describe the complexity of emotions during this fence build yet a few come to mind. Joyful. Bittersweet. Haunting. Euphoric. Heartbreaking. Life-changing. Anxiety-filled. Disturbing. Tender.

 

Gordo being unchained into a better world created by a simple fence.

 

Nike in his new yard off his lonely chain at last.

 

Dodger on his new zip line with his special friend Kelly

 

Wednesday was special, alright.

 

For me, it was because I was surrounded by more than 20 other FFF volunteers somewhere out in Aurora, standing, shivering in the pouring rain, chilled to the bones on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.  A day we will never forget. And, if you asked any one of us in that moment we would all agree—there was nowhere else we would rather be than right there in the moment making a change that truly mattered. In fact, most people had either taken the day off from work or postponed another important engagement for a day that changed all of us and created a bond that is oh so much deeper and richer.

 

The last moments of that rainy morning seemed more like a dream.

 

Some of the special volunteers who helped our Railroad Dogs

 

Tryke free'd in the best way possible:  he has been adopted

by his new best pals Derek and Cedar.  Some say it was love
at first sight for all of them.

 

We still dream of freedom for Dodger and Mama. And we like our dreams to come true…

 

Dodger clinging and hugging one of his volunteers, not wanting

to say goodbye.  He is the father of Tryke, who will not live

this kind of life.

 

So, until we meet again at that same property somewhere in Aurora to celebrate the lives of these sweet dogs and those volunteers who step outside of their comfort zone to do what they know is right.

 

If you would love to read more about the Railroad dogs' long overdue but quick life transformation, please visit our Facebook photo albums that share each phase of their story so far:

 

Emergency Dog Houses Are Delivered

 

Return Visit for Zip Line Installation

 

Derek and Tryke Meet Again Video

 

Another Return Visit for Fence Post Setting

 

Beautiful Summary Album About Helping the Railroad Dogs

 

and  Volunteer Nick Esposti's Blog That Captures Portions of This Incredible Story

 

If you would like to contribute to Fences For Fido so that we can continue to unchain dogs still waiting to be found, to have their worlds changed in ways they can only dream of until we find them, please DONATE     to help us build more fences--sadly we hear of dogs needing our life-changing services week after week.

 

A Special Video About the Railroad Five - Video by Kristin Leppert and edited by Josh Dion.

 

Update 11-23-11:  It has been a short but profound week since Tryke was rescued:  he has been neutered, had a dental cleaning with teeth extractions (due to the same accident that took his leg), vaccinated, bathed, de-wormed, and had X-rays on his leg stump by Oswego Veterinary Hospital who we thank so much for continually treating and caring for some of our most needy dogs once they are surrendered to us.

 

Here are some happy moments from Tryke's new drastically different life showing the miracle of healing love:

 

Newly renamed Tryke heading to his new life, probably his

first time ever in a car.  He cuddles with Cedar for comfort

and security as his life changes forever.

 

New dad Derek picks up his happy boy Tryke after his stay

at Oswego Veterinary Hospital.

 

The best nap of his life - warm, loved, safe and secure at last.

 

We hope the way he previously lived is already a fading memory soon to be forgotten entirely.