Newport and Portland area volunteers pose in front of Maddie’s brand new fence in South Beach. The lab mix had been spending most of her time on a chain. Maddie’s neighbor, local author Matt Love, far right behind the fence, contacted the nonprofit on her behalf. (Courtesy photo)

Chopper is fascinated by all the commotion.

The friendly Labrador retriever-mix doesn’t usually see much excitement in the Portland backyard where he lives chained to a tree.

He strains against his tether to get as close to the action as possible.

Eyes bright, ears perked, Chopper stands at the edge of his small world and watches Fences for Fido volunteers build him a fence.

For the first time in his life, six-year-old Chopper is about to be set free from his tether.

Fences for Fido (FFF), a newly formed nonprofit, is striving to unchain dogs, one dog at a time.

In conjunction with other animal welfare groups, FFF builds fences and shelters, helps with spaying and neutering, and raises awareness about the physical, mental and emotional needs of dogs.

Since FFF built Chopper’s fence about four months ago, the group has put up five more fences and freed six more dogs.

Maddie, a 10-year-old Lab mix who lives in Newport’s South Beach neighborhood, received a brand new fence Aug. 22.

Newport High School journalism teacher and author Matt Love lives just down the street from Maddie. After talking to her owner, he contacted FFF on Maddie’s behalf.

“I saw Maddie on her chain when I walked by with my dogs,” Love said. “I asked my neighbor if I could walk Maddie, too, and he enthusiastically agreed.”



Man’s best friend



By nature, dogs are social beings that need exercise, and interaction with people and other animals, says The Humane Society of the United States.

Dogs kept confined at the end of a chain are deprived of basic needs, and can become lonely, anxious and aggressive.

Tethered dogs are forced to eat, drink, sleep and relieve themselves in a single, confined area. Tethers can become tangled, making it impossible to reach food and water bowls.

FFF’s mission is to facilitate more fulfilling lives for dogs and their guardians, which helps families experience a special bond with their four-legged family members, the group’s website states.

“In most cases, a fence changes the guardian’s life as much as it does the dog’s,” said Andrea Kozil, president of FFF. “No longer seeing their dog chained allows the relationship to blossom dramatically.”

Chopper’s fence was built in May. Since then, things really are different, said Keith Lamb, Chopper’s guardian. Lamb can play ball with his dog without having to worry about Chopper running into the street.

Maddie’s life has already improved, too, said Love.

“I think my neighbor is embarking on a new relationship with Maddie because of her new fence,” he said. “I think Maddie is very happy. She runs around and sits outside more.”

Chopper’s first tether-free moments can be viewed on the FFF website, www.fencesforfido.org.

Chopper certainly knew what to do once he was free. He galloped about, greeting his benefactors. He handed out slurpy kisses. He chased a ball or two.

He took deep, satisfying snuffles of tantalizing aromas that used to be just out of the reach of his chain.

“I get asked all the time what it’s like to see a dog enter his new pad,” said Kelly Peterson, FFF community outreach director. “What I feel the most is gratitude that I was able to experience that moment with the family.

“We know these people love their dogs, but circumstances have made it so that they can’t meet all of their dogs’ needs.”

Seeing the dogs bounce around without being restricted by a tether are memories she’ll keep forever, Peterson said.

“I feel very lucky that I’m able to witness that joy,” she said. “It certainly keeps me motivated to build as many fences as we can.”

A group of Portland-area folks started FFF after hearing about a similar group in North Carolina.

The Coalition to Un-chain Dogs flew to Oregon to help FFF build Chopper’s fence.

In much the same way, FFF may have already inspired its first chapter when visiting Newport.

Laura Ireland Moore, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County, and her husband, Drew Moore, a deputy district attorney and FFF board member, involved their friends from the coast.

“A lot of the Fences for Fido volunteers are close girlfriends of mine from Portland,” Ireland Moore said. “There was quite a bit of interest when I tapped my friends from here to help with Maddie’s fence.

“Everyone was like, ‘Oh, what about this dog? What about that dog?’ So we’re talking about starting a chapter here.”

Love said he enjoyed the whole experience and is all for continuing the tradition locally.

“I can honestly say that putting up this fence for Maddie was one of the best things that’s happened to me in years,” said Love. “It got me out of all the literary hustling and just let me get involved with a great group.

“I look forward to building more fences in Newport and getting my students involved.”

Materials to build each fence cost about $500, and donations are welcome. For more information, and to purchase T-shirts, mugs, water bowls and other items with the FFF logo, visit www.fencesforfido.org.