Not many situations surprise me anymore, or leave me fully broken-hearted for the entire family, but this one did. A visit on a very hot summer day found two beautiful shorthair pointers chained—Lisa & Reba—all day, without much access to shade, or reliable protection from the elements. Lisa & Reba thankfully sleep inside with their people, but, because of the situation inside, they must sleep inside large travel crates; but at least in the darkest hours, the entire family is together. As way of background, the dogs are in fact loved, and are cared for by an elderly man who wasn’t able to get up to greet us as he welcomed FFF into his (and all of their) lives. FFF found this family via a concerned social worker--the need for this particular family is great, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to help this elderly, fragile man and his two beloved dogs who have lived with him for years—a man with memories of many long ago adventures with his dogs. But, life has changed drastically for him, with declining health it’s prevented him from doing anything for his dogs but to give them lots of pets and happy voice talk, AND most importantly, the most unexpected birthday gift to himself actually (the posts were set on his exact birthday, August 10^th): GIVING BACK by providing the greatest gift he can give today to his two best friends, who are more like family: the gift of freedom, zippies, and LOVE! A FENCED YARD!