The following is a story about a Great Dane named Ellie Grace.
Prior to January 13, Ellie Grace lived in what can only be described as a hellish state of loneliness and suffering.
Her life consisted of a chain, mud and solitude.
In fact, the social dog who wanted nothing more than to feel the touch of kind hand, was so despondent that she eventually gave up on her so-called life.
On the day that Ellie Grace's rescuers discovered her, she had laid down and given up...too depressed to eat, too depressed to even stand.
Where Ellie Grace was found or who she belonged to are of little importance because sadly, Ellie Grace is not alone - she is just one of thousands of dogs who are confined to a sad life outdoors on the end of a chain.
Fortunately for Ellie Grace, when her rescuers asked her prior owner if they would consider surrendering her, they said yes.
Life changed in a heartbeat.
Ellie Grace was removed from the heavy chain which confined her, and was taken away by the kind hands that she so desperately longed for.
For the first time in her life, she was bathed and fussed over. Later that day, she was even allowed to lay down on a soft couch, inside of a warm home.
She was introduced with other dogs - dogs she could sniff and play with, rather than gaze at from the end of a tether.
Life began for Ellie Grace on the day that she was set free from the chain.
Helping Animals Reach Tomorrow (HART) is responsible for Ellie Grace's release. They are also responsible for educating the owners who once called Ellie Grace their own.
Thanks to HART's efforts, the dogs who remained at that individual's property were released from their chains. The dogs received new kennels which were layered with warm, soft hay.
The owner, who only knew one way of thinking when it came to dogs, learned a new way and, according to HART's founder, that person was not only open to change, but seemed to want to embrace a new way of thinking.
HART volunteers seek to educate area owners and help them see that there is a better way to treat their dogs. They collect donations to help free dogs from chains and provide them with suitable shelter, and freedom from their lonely, tethered existence.
According to HART's founder, tethered dogs in Louisiana and Mississippi are commonplace - it is not something which the majority of residents in this area consider to be "bad."
Learn more about HART and their efforts to help dogs at this link to their Facebook page.
Follow Ellie Grace's journey here.
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I am human, if you see a typo, please let me know. Questions, comments or story ideas can be emailed to Eims1@live.com.
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