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Remember to pick your favorite contestant and Vote for the People's Choice Award Winner! Day Five Update During the night of Day Four it rained nonstop after midnight, without lightning, which meant the contestants could not be pulled out of the rain and taken to the big tent. Tammy, who was sleeping in the concession stand, could hear how hard it was raining, and was very stressed and worrying about her 'kids' out in the rain. She wanted to run out and get them out of there, but she couldn't. She finally lifted the window of the stand to peer out into the rain, and there stood Jacob, soaking wet and looking at her from his spot nearest the stand.
When it stopped for a moment, she went out to take photos of the field, and went over to encourage Jacob. After just talking for a moment, and taking a photo of him, he said he was done, unhooked, grabbed his sleeping bag, and went to the big tent to sleep. So much for encouragement! Although, how could you blame him?
She then went around and photographed the other contestants, so pitiful, before going back to bed. It rained again and again throughout the night, and there was not much sleep to be had...she even worried that when she woke up they'd all be in the tent, which wouldn't have surprised her!
She looked out again around 4:00, saw someone walking the outside of the fence, and it was Jacob. He came over and they spent an hour talking. Soon, around 5:00 a.m., Shawn unhooked and walked over to the concession stand. What a shocking feeling when you see someone drop out! You want to run over and hug them, or convince them that they really didn't unhook, and it would all be ok. It rained off and on for another few hours, but everyone stuck with it somehow, Lord knows how! We gave them peanut butter crackers before breakfast even, so they had to some thing to cling to...to give them hope...to enable them to go on. And we told them they would still get breakfast!
Everyone now had their own port-a-potty and space, so there was no more moving, and everyone hunkered down to dry out, spread their sleeping bags over the fence to dry, and regroup from the tough night they'd survived.
The Jackson Township EMTs have been incredible, coming by twice a day to check on our contestants, and we want to give them a big Thank You! (Pictured is Franklin Banfer, Lori Sandak, Sue Krawcion, and Ann Higgins)
The "Fishbowl", How we See the Contestants from the Concession Stand
Day Six Update Cold night, but no rain, so everyone, including Tammy, Rocky, and the new recruit Bobby McIntyre, (Gettysburg Rep), managed to get a decent night's sleep. Therefore, on day 6, all 6 contestants were quite chipper. Rocky did background interviews with them, during which Stephen broke down crying and couldn't finish the process. Living on a chain can be very emotional, and when other things have been going wrong in your life, clinging to hope can wear you down. He explained to Tammy that he'd lost his job in February due to speaking out against a cruelty issue, and his self-esteem had really suffered as a result. With a family to take care of, he really felt pressured to succeed at Chain Off. It was so sad, and she told him that it's ok to cry, let it out, let the pain come out! Kay Summerson, Jim Lauffer's mother, made a wonderful contestant and staff dinner, spaghetti casserole with green beans, italian bread, and gobs, yummy! It was supposed to be another cold one, but no rain, and we think everyone prefers cold to rain! We took photos today of the dogs running in the field, and the contestants chained. What an interesting juxtaposition. Remember to pick your favorite contestant and Vote for the People's Choice Award Winner! Contestant Excerpts from Days Five and Six Follow:
Stephen Port, Day Five: There are now only six of us. I wonder what day this will go on til. The weather is pretty much the culprit I think for most people leaving. No wonder...it dumped 2-3 inches of water all over my lawn and made everything so muddy. Pulse a little high this morning...after the horrible weather we had last night I though it would be my blood pressure. I don't know if my family will be here today or not...I hope so. We all know how important connections are to this lonely dog. P.M. I hear we may have more music coming up? It seems when we have music, more people stop by, and awareness is raised along with donations. Being chained to a doghouse is not for the faint-hearted. I've been bit by flies, mosquitos, fleas, ants, and you name it. The good thing is my kids can see this and it will help me to teach them how to make a difference. Stephen, Day Six: Home is where I yearn to be, although here is where I must stay. BTW, I have to say thanks to the wonderful medics of Jackson Township. Their love and support has been unending. Each day they check us to make sure we are all doing ok and hydrated. Last night was really cold. I heard some talk about sleeping bags that were rated for Arctic weather. Oops! I guess I should have planned better. I noticed last night my chains are not very animal-friendly. What I mean is that they only twist 1/2 way each way. The horror of that is imagine a puppy chained in the yard playing, the more he or she flips around the tighter the chain gets. I know this because my chain developed several of these from my tossing and turning...not only did it tighten my chain, but in essence it shortened it. The only way to get it back to normal was to roll my body the opposite way several times. P.M. Today I showed an emotional side of me I don't let many people know about. It's just things have bottled up for so long I don't know who the real me is...Aija's dog kissed me for the first time today. I was so happy. You know, it's weird, the dog wanted nothing to do with me til today, and then Slade licked me. Could she feel my pain and sense my compassion?
Tom Frank, Day Five: Looking around, I am confident I am the strongest of the remaining six, even ol' Special Forces I-Know-How-To-Keep-My-Feet-Bone-Dry Don over there. I heard back in his day he lived in a tree for a week. Well, back in my day I won a car by being chained to a doghouse for two weeks. I'm looking forward to waiting him out, even if he lasts until the end. P.M. Life is good. (Drew picture of the port-a-potty, which he and Jacqueline have been using the letters on to sign to each other.) Tom, Day Six: Feeling better than ever since we started. What is so hard about sitting somewhere two weeks in exchange for a car? Life is good. (picture of seedling plant.) P.M. (Drew picture of his wife, who visited him tonight and is staying in a local hotel.)
Aija Gillman, Day Five: Whoo! I've made it five days! There are now six contestants left, much thanks to the excessive rain we've had. I'm definitely feeling a lot better, though I think I slept oddly, because part of my thumb is asleep and has been for awhile now. A lot of strange things happen when you sleep in a doghouse. P.M. Blah. I miss my friends, I miss my computer, and I miss meat...and if I throw up my dinner one more time I think I'm gonna scream! I think it's accurate to describe my mood as 'frustrated'. I can understand why chained dogs are so defensive of their territory. I'm growing protective of my lawn-circle. Also, I've been breaking my day down into parts to look forward to....breakfast, journals, medics, snack, visiting time, journal, medic check, dinner, snack, pilates/yoga, bed... Aija, Day Six: It makes me sad to hear that Franklin and Lori might not be back (medics)--I really liked them...but that makes me feel more like a chained dog--someone visits you or brings you food, and you may never seen them again. It's really sad. Also, it was really cold last night, and my sleeping bag seems to have developed another hole. P.M. Best dinner so far! Oh, it was so good...I was starving. My stomach doesn't hurt anymore. I'd like to point out that Don sleeps an abnormal amount...either he's used to NEVER having to move, or he's ODing on the medications he's popping every day...and Heather is an uber suck-up, "I really, really respect you!" Who wants to join me for a puke in the port-a-potty?
Jacqueline Waldroup, Day Five: Well, there was an insane storm last night, and we lost two. Shawn and Jacob. Can't say I'm sorry. They were two that were competition. Next Heather and Tom need to go. I like Tom, but he's my heaviest competition. But he's like me. He's not leaving without the car unless he's disqualified. Then after him Heather. I think she'll be here for the long haul too. Last night two EMTs asked me if she was crazy, and if she ever shut up. I truthfully said yes and no, respectively. She seems nuttier everyday. P.M. We've been here for 100 hours and 20 minutes. A very nice woman I spoke to before said she was proud of me, and a few people told my mom they are rooting for me. So it seems I have more support than I even knew. That makes me want to go the distance for myself, my son, and the people that have faith in me. Jacqueline, Day Six: I changed my mind again. Heather still needs to go first. Then Don, Steve, Tom, and Aija need to go in that order. I say 3 left by Monday. Saturday at 2 will be 1 week, or roughly 168 hours chained. In a way it seems forever, but it also went kinda fast. Aside from the rain and my loved ones not being here, this is actually kind of fun! P.M. I have no idea what kind of challenges they have planned for Monday, but if they really wanted to be harsh, they could cut the snacks and only feed us twice a day.
Don McKendree, Day Five: It was like the monsoons last night; I was flooded real bad. My pen is a low area, and it doesn't drain. Last night was the roughtest night--it seems when you get wet and it continues to rain lots of mixed emotions--I could imagine the torture dogs must go through when people chain them outside. Sure, you can feed them, water them, and talk to them occasionally...but I'm talking about the feelings a dog has to go through but are unable to communicate those feelings. I sure am having a difficult time. I have been and done a lot of difficult things in my life, but being tied (chained) to a doghouse has got to be the roughest. Stripped of human communication ability sure puts things into the proper perspective. Let's unchain our dogs. Don, Day Six: There are all kinds of ideas/ways to help our furry friends. I believe with this experience I think there may be a way for me to approach owners that chain dogs and talk to them to make a difference. The rescued dogs running around this area are so friendly and obedient. P.M. We were given a pamphlet today from Dogs Deserve Better. To sum my feelings that come to mind, people are terrorizing another living thing.
Heather Shirley, Day Five: I'm not really a chained dog; I'm a chained woman, attempting to live vicariously in mind through a chained dog. P.M. A broken heart is what I get when all I want is a broken chain. Every time I get away, they catch me and tie me again. I deserve better. Heather, Day Six: I woke this morning after a good night of sleep. The morning breeze felt good, and the birds sang a song of good life. I stretched my legs and inhaled the fresh morning air. This feels good, and I am fully awake after my stretch. I move to stand when I feel a strain on my neck, and I hear the sound of a chain. I am immediately reminded what my life is about. My mood has shifted 180 degrees. P.M. A poor excuse for a doghouse. Why don't I go in my doghouse, you ask? Because the hay makes the air filled with particulates. Because it leaks. Because it has poop in it. Because I got stuck by a nail in there and now I'm scared to go back inside. Contest-Day
One/Two & Synopsis, Photos: First to Go Contest-Day
Fourteen & Synopsis, Photos: Event
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