“Stampede Steve, The Wonder Dog will probably go down as one of our all-time favorite rescue stories!” says Michelle Blake, Fences For Fido's Salem-area coordinator. She's probably right, this is a doozy of a tale and one that speaks primarily to the resiliant heart of a little dog with a big personality.

It's hard to know where to start with Steve's tale. FFF received an email one day from customers at a local bar who were concerned about a dog they would regularly see chained up and seemingly alone. When Michelle found him, on a cold day in early November, he was chained to a tire in a yard next to an empty home with nothing but a plastic travel crate for a shelter and a 4-gallon bucket full of dirty water to drink from. It was apparent that this small cattle dog had been utterly abandoned.

Michelle canvassed the neighborhood looking for answers and discovered that the dog had been left in this yard for nearly a year. She tracked down the human who belonged to Steve and was told that the dog was “stupid and couldn't learn anything.” When the family moved, they decided to leave Steve behind to guard the empty house, but they came by once a day to leave food. He also told Michelle that the dog was aggressive and shouldn't be approached. It was then and there that Michelle had a bold thought and decided to act on it. She asked the homeowner if he would relinquish Steve into her care. Michelle recalled that he seemed "surprised and a little amused that anyone would want this dog, but he agreed to let me try to put him into my car and take him."

Steve literally leaped with joy when Michelle returned a short time to later to pick him up.  “I had been warned that nobody could approach him, but he was the most gregarious and people-oriented dog I could imagine.” Michelle had no problem getting Steve off the chain and onto a leash where she led him to her waiting car. The little dog bounded in as if he had been waiting for that ride his whole life.

Michelle discovered that not only was he not aggressive, he fit right in with her home pack of two dogs and a cat. She says, “He began learning everything that most dogs take for granted. He discovered toys, leashes, and car rides. He learned how to walk on stairs and sidewalks and slippery floors. He played at the dog park and met countless new people, all of whom joined the search for Steve’s new home. It wasn’t easy to find exactly the kind of home he needed, one where he could burn his abundant energy, continue his training, and make up for the affection and attention he’d been denied for so long. He would need a family with plenty of space, time, patience, and know-how.”

As loving as Steve was, he still held on to some deep-seeded fears left from his traumatic beginnings. Left by himself on a chain, Steve was often attacked by roving dogs and lacked confidence around other canines, though he loved being with other people. After six weeks of living with his foster mother, Michelle, Steve's forever family found him. On December 20, 2009, Steve was taken to his new home, a blessed combination of love, affection, attention and much needed space. Steve's surroundings include five fenced acres full of wonderment and companionship with two dog siblings, a herd of pygmy goats that “fascinate and entertain him,” and an 8-year-old boy who has decided Steve will be his best friend forever. He also has the care and nurturing of a mom who teaches Steve all the things a good dog needs to know.

Steve no longer has to sleep alone in a cold, wet plastic crate. He has an easy chair AND a loveseat to snuggle into and a rich, vibrant life full of car trips and fun on the farm. In fact, we just heard from his mom who was out running errands...with Steve along for the ride of course...and she let us know that he is doing remarkably well. He turned three in March 2011 and the whole family threw him a big birthday party. His intelligence and energy has encouraged his mom to sign him up for scent-work training which should prove a perfect fit for this active, smart dog. No one will ever call Steve "stupid" again.

We love this fairy tale ending for a dog who's life started out almost hopelessly dark. Many thanks to all of those who participated along the way, but most of all to Steve who kept his spirit intact and beautiful. This little dog will have nothing but happy stories to tell for the rest of his days.