Tamira Thayne fundraising for Chain Off 2014: Team Tami for Chained Dogs

When you live near a chained dog and watch him or her suffer every day, your life becomes almost unbearable too in witnessing the suffering. You can't help but look as you drive by, hoping against hope to not see the dog there, hoping he or she has moved on to a better life.

But, sadly, for many that day never comes without groups like Dogs Deserve Better, who fight for the rights of these dogs. We work through rescue and rehabilitation programs, as well as education, grassroots legislation, fencing programs, and vet care grants for those who rescue chained dogs.

Dogs like Sampson, who inspired me to drive 12 hours to West Virginia to pull him from a chain and take him back to our rehab center to learn how a 'real' dog lives. Sampson is a big boy, a dane/shepherd mix, and had spent every day of his nine years on a chain. His family said if someone didn't come get him right away, he was going to the shelter where an old guy like him would never have a chance. Now Sampson is one of the many dogs who call the Good Newz Rehab Center home until he finds a loving family of his own. We call him the 'gentle giant' because he lays on the ground for the puppies to crawl all over him, and doesn't even think of causing them harm.

I've personally rescued Sampson and over 250 more like him from horrible situations in a pen or on a chain, and they made my life so much brighter. Giving them joy brought me joy right back. I've spent 825 hours on a chain to raise awareness and inspire better legislation for these dogs.

We hope you'll support Dogs Deserve Better in our quest to free dogs like Sampson and the others like him who wait, without a voice, for a helping hand.

I will be spending 49 hours on a chain in seven different states between July 21-29, 2014 and I'm hoping you will come take a stand with me, or support me by donating to my cause. I will be chained in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. Learn more by visiting our link at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/chainoff2014.html.

Thank you!