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Cory & Julie Ferguson, West Virginia
Sammy Ahlman, Illinois

Chained in Chicago, 24 Hours, June 27-28

 

I knew going in that I would come out with a new appreciation for what chained dogs go through on a daily basis, but nothing could prepare me for the boredom that I experienced.  I am used to going all of the time and having some type of mental stimulus to keep me occupied, but this gave me a helpless feeling for 24 hours.  Not only did we face the boredom, but we experienced heat during the day, then hail, and then a continuous rain. 
 
Then, when I really started thinking about it, this was only for 24 hours on one given day.  There are so many dogs that experience isolation, neglect, abuse, and far worse weather extremes than we will ever think about going through.  At the end of the Chain-Off, I took off my collar, went and had a great lunch, relaxed in an air conditioned house, and crawled into a nice bed to sleep.  Chained dogs do not have any of these options.  They can only hope that someone will come to see them for even a minute or two and hopefully give them some water and food. 
 
It is so easy for people to take things for granted and it really requires you to stop and think about everything as we go through our busy lives.  Sure, our personal pets have a great life and that's fine, but we can easily forget how many other dogs will never know what true love and companionship is.  Dogs were created, by humans, to be their companions and far too many people seem to forget this. 
 
Now, with the Chain-Off behind us, I have garnered a deeper understanding of what far too many dogs go through in leading a life on a chain and it has deepened my resolve to help educate, create more awareness, and do whatever I can to end the cycle of chaining everywhere. - Cory Ferguson

 

When I was at the DDB Chain-off 2008, about 13 people sat chained to dog houses. Some doghouses were used by actual dog owners who had chained their dogs and left them outside. My dad & I made my doghouse, but I painted it myself.

  

A few hours later, a short storm blew over us. Most of us thought it was over.  My Aunt & I moved into my dog house to be safer. Suddenly, pea-sized hail rained down on us.  Those with the old and beaten up dog houses were forced to seek shelter inside them or sit out in the hail.
 
Finally, we fell asleep. My Aunt’s puppy Jinx curled up next to me.  We had thought the storm had passed, but in the middle of the night, it poured.  I awoke abruptly to the sound of hard rain on the roof on the dog house. My Aunt and Uncle did not have shelter so I was worried. Then I remembered they had a couple of tarps.  The tarps kept them pretty dry.  Others in the group had nothing and were absolutely drenched. 
 
In the morning, I woke up and my legs were totally soaked.  The rain had come down so hard – my dog house provided some shelter, but not enough to keep me completely dry. Others were drying to dry off and get just a few minutes of sleep. 
 
The experience gave me an idea of how hard it would be to brave the elements every single day without good shelter.  To leave a pet outside, without shelter, or enough food & water, never loving them or caring for them just does not make sense to me.  Why even have a dog then?
 
This was a really great experience for me and I am grateful my Aunt Julie and Uncle Cory invited me to participate.-Samantha Ahlman

 

I knew going into Chain Off 2008 that it wasn't going to be easy, but even through the wind, hail, and cold wet night, what got to me the most was the sheer boredom.  Dogs may be a little better equipped than people to withstand being outside, but I think the worst aspect of chaining for them is the isolation.  Dogs are like people in that they are social beings with an innate need to be in a pack.  We created them from the wolf and in doing so took on the responsibility of becoming their pack.  At the Chain Off, we had others to communicate with and it was still hard.  I can't even begin to imagine the torture dogs endure spending their entire lives isolated and alone. It certainly gave me a renewed determination to help in anyway to get the message out that plain and simple chaining IS abuse and needs to be stopped. - Julie Ferguson