On many occasions I have had the opportunity to assist a friend of mine, a fellow Humane Investigator, in checking on the animals in a very hairy part of town on the south side of the city. The streets are lined with dilapidated homes - many burned out or collapsed and prime targets for drug dealers and other such illegal characters. It's the kind of town you usually go out of your way to drive "around" rather than "through" if it happens to fall along your route of travel.

In this town I have seen some of the worst of the worst of animal abuse and neglect cases. Dog fighting is a popular "sport" in the area and the status quo is to keep your dog tied on a heavy chain, provide little to no shelter and give food and water only when it's convenient to do so.

It's here where Izzy was found chained to a fence with only an

Stephanie Chizek of Pink Puppy Designs is also a Humane Investigator in Illinois. While on a case, she and her partner came upon a dog chained to a dilapidated doghouse. Rockefeller had been living there for 7 long years in a space of about 15 square feet day and night in all kinds of weather.

After speaking with the owners about the inadequate conditions, they signed him over to be put up for adoption. Stephanie brought him home so he would have a comfortable place to stay while he waited for a new home. At first he was very nervous about everything relating to living indoors since it was all very new to him. However, he is now learning what it is like to be an indoor dog... loved, kept warm, given lots of attention... and he loves it.

Rockefeller is currently available for adoption through Animal Education and Rescue (AEAR). For