Day 19. Below, sitting for Monroe County dogs.

Day 19, August 26, 2010. Operation Fido's Freedom.
I Just Want to Play (and so do They)

I know how much you liked the last poem, so I wrote you another one, which is even worse. My 11 year old daughter can probably write better poetry! Enjoy it, you're welcome.

My boyfriend's coming today.
I really want to go play.
But alas, I'm here to stay.
8-6, every weekday.

At least I'm getting mail.
Here where I'm in jail.
And I'll rarely wail.
Except when I feel hail.

For I know it's self-imposed
And were I so disposed
I could leave here unopposed
From this place where I have posed.

As a chained dog I have sat
Wearing a stupid hat
But I'm going to the mat
For dogs and that is that.

So pass SB1435
While the dogs are still alive
Forget about all this jive
Let hope for dogs arrive!

—Anonymous. Ok, it was me.

Random thoughts of the day:

1. Joe is coming up today, but he likes to surprise me. Now, I like surprises, but I really want to know when he's getting here!

2. I need to start videotaping people's enthusiasm for this law. Cool stuff, this morning I had two awesome reactions, and I never get it on film. And you can ask them to repeat it, but then the enthusiasm is forced.

3. As I sit here, I visualize myself connecting with the heroes I'm most inspired by, which are among the greatest ever. Alice Paul, the suffragist, for her endless determination and single-mindedness. Mother Teresa (I saw Time Magazine put out a special magazine about her, I bought it tonight) for her infinite love for others. Gandhi, for his steadfast determination to right social wrongs. Nelson Mandela for his long-suffering patience and vision in the face of darkness. And Jesus, for his ultimate sacrifice on behalf of those he loved. Drawing from their amazing strength helps get me through.

4. Weatherwise, it's been the best week yet. Only a few sprinkles here and there, not overly hot or cold. I've really come to realize how many days out of the year chained dogs suffer due to weather here in Pennsylvania on top of the lack of food, water, physical care, and socialization with humans. there are a lot of them.

5. The French tours continue to come by and sympathize with the plight of American dogs. Really, do we want our country known as such blatant animal abusers? It has to stop.

6. I really don't get how many people feel compelled to walk right through my little area without speaking to me or acknowledging my existence when the steps are VAST! Maybe I need no trespassing signs…oh, don't get me started on that.

Stacey holding the cards

7. I got 11 letters today! That makes 13 total. I was doing an interview, and this guy comes down the steps holding the stack, so he made it on the news too! Not sure if he really wanted to be on the news…

Thanks to: Chira, Justy, & Brie, Gordon Bakalar, Deb Carr, P.Hench, and the Reese family from PA. Your cards and letters made it! Denise and Christine from Ohio, thank you. Kim Foster from Maryland, Lee Anne Harre from New Jersey, and Jenna and Corey DiMare and Adrienne Down from Massachusetts, your cards, donations, and letters all made it, thank you so much!

8. Below are some of the before and after pics of dogs I've rescued from chains or fostered from chains. Every dog deserves better than life at the end of a chain! What century are we living in here, people?

Bandit, threatened to be shot by the owner

Beckett, found dragging his tether down the road

Bo, a simple black dog, the reason I formed DDB. I love you, Bo!

Bridget, a blind Akita left on a chain

Chia, another Akita on a chain, she had some good months before passing

Chloe had a really dilapidated doghouse, full of holes

Levi was so depressed livinig on a chain. He had a great couple years chain free.

Find your Senator and House Rep at: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/
Please contact them TODAY and tell them “I’m here for their law.”
Remember, they work FOR us. Insist that they support SB1435.

I will be actively blogging, facebooking, and tweeting daily from my chain.
To follow me, fan me, or read the nightly blog, check out the links below:

Follow the campaign, Operation Fidos Freedom on:

Can you donate for this campaign which aims to save tens of thousands of dogs from life at the end of the chain? To donate by phone, call 814.941.7447.

Dogs Deserve Better is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
To donate by mail, send check made out to Dogs Deserve Better,
P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684