Rescue Pups Go on Small Adventures on Board a ‘Dog Train’ [Video]

• A couple who used to run an animal rescue relocated to the suburbs and brought with them a dozen rescued dogs.
• The couple built a dog train so they can take all the dogs for a ride. 
• People go out on the streets to watch the dog train as it passes by.

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The roar of traffic on the highways around Lehigh Acres, Florida, gives way to a sound far more pleasant on Friday evenings, shortly before sunset: the joyous chorus of happy dogs on the go.

A dog train appears on the streets as if on cue, to bring joy to its furry passengers.

After years of running an animal rescue shelter in Costa Rica, Alice Johnston and her husband, Paul, relocated to Lehigh Acres around eight years ago. They didn’t, however, relocate on their own. They also brought with them over a dozen dogs under their care, all of which had been rescued from the streets. 

The Johnstons, now living in the suburbs, decided to get creative.

Alice Johnston told The Dodo:

“We have so many dogs, of course we couldn’t walk them all or put them in the car to take them for a ride. So, my husband build a train so that we could take them out, drive around the community. He pulls the train with a lawnmower, and I ride a little scooter behind him to keep an eye on things, to make sure they’re safe.”

It’s impossible not to smile when you see the cheerful gang.

A Texas man who built a dog train for his own rescue pups came up with the idea for the Wonderland Express, as it is known. It’s also a big hit with the Johnstons’ dogs.

“The dogs get so excited. They just love it. They absolutely love it,” Johnston said. “They know it’s Friday better than we do. It’s amazing how they know.”

But the dogs aren’t the only ones who enjoy their weekly excursions.

According to Johnston, there are people who wait for them every week to pass by on the street, with some people coming out to give treats to the dogs who really enjoy it. 

The Johnstons have made excellent use of all the attention the train receives.

“My husband has signs all over the train encouraging people to adopt, and not shop,” said Johnston. “There are so many homeless dogs, and they make wonderful pets. Anything we can do to encourage people to give these dogs a chance, we are happy to do it.”

The Johnstons have no plans to publicize their dog train, but they are pleased that people are interested in seeing it. Their goal is giving delight to their dogs, and spreading the word about the joys of adoption.

“It gives us so much joy to know that dogs are getting a second chance,” Johnston said. “And it really gives us satisfaction knowing we’re giving our dogs a good life.”

Source: The Dodo