In Chicago, this year's chain-off participants were literally "in the doghouse".  They've spent hours chained to them, but never before have they been forced to climb in them, spider webs and all to escape the inclement weather.

It started with dark clouds rolling in and then hail stones the size of dimes, overnight the rain plummeted relentlessly as participants huddled inside leaking houses which actually provided the only shelter for many chained dogs throughout their entire lives. 

 

"We went through 'hail' for the dogs," said Rhonda Sims, who drove from South Carolina to participate in the Chicago Chain-Off event.  It's frightening, cold, wet and doghouses provide little relief from the elements as chained dogs ride out storms; this we know from experience to be true. 

 

The difference is participants in the Chicago Chain-Off knew it would end in 24 hours, for many dogs the end is nowhere in sight. Hope is a powerful tool to help endure.  Won't you provide hope to a chained dog?  

 

More exciting Chain-Off stories and pictures are on the way!  Watch your email for announcements from Tammy Grimes later this week!