A Magical Christmas Train Built to Help Homeless Dogs Find Homes
I’ll do whatever it takes to help a dog find a home, but this time, I took things to the next level. I built a train for homeless dogs. Yes, you read that right—a real, moving train designed to spread joy and get these deserving pups adopted. And not just any train ride—this one travels through a bakery for dogs and takes a magical world tour, stopping at places like the North Pole, Germany, and even sunny Miami.
Overcoming the First Challenge
Getting the train up and running wasn’t easy. The first challenge? Figuring out how to get a train upstairs. My solution: building a ramp strong enough to hold the train and give it enough velocity to make the climb. I’ve never done anything like this before, but with a thick piece of plywood and some four-by-fours, I made it work. Once the train was on track—literally—it was time to bring the vision to life.
A Festive Journey Through the Bakery
Here’s how it works: the train rolls through the bakery, stopping at a festive train depot where my team and I wait with toys, treats, and gifts—each designed to match the theme of our current stop. After loading up, the train heads out the front door, circles the block, and returns for a new round. Each time it comes back, we completely change the theme. It’s ambitious, but these dogs deserve nothing less.
Gingerbread Treats for the Occasion
Of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without gingerbread cookies. I pre-baked gingerbread people—yes, people, because we believe in including everyone—so we could quickly decorate them when the dogs arrived. With the cookies ready and the train on standby, it was finally time for the big event.
The Magic Begins: Stops Around the World
The train arrived, the dogs hopped aboard, and the magic began. We kicked things off with a trip to the North Pole, complete with winter-themed treats like peppermint puppuccinos and snow-covered decorations. It was heartwarming to see the dogs’ faces light up. Fiona, one of the passengers, stole the show. She’s a beautiful dog who’s been through a lot. Rescued from a life spent in a cage as a breeding dog, Fiona had multiple surgeries before she could start her new life. Thanks to our amazing community, she even got her name through a fan poll. Giving her a special holiday experience felt like a small way to honor her resilience.
The train didn’t stop there. We transformed the bakery into a German Christmas village, complete with traditional decorations and gingerbread cookies. Next, we celebrated Hanukkah with gifts for all the dogs and festive blue-and-white treats. Finally, we turned up the heat with a tropical stop in Miami, featuring sliders, burgers, and Hawaiian Santa toys. Each destination brought its own unique joy, and the dogs soaked up every moment.
A Special Day for Fiona
As the train rolled on, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much these dogs deserve love and care. For Fiona, this holiday train ride was a celebration of her journey and a send-off to her new forever home. That’s right—Fiona was officially adopted! Her new family saw her in one of our videos and knew she was the one. Seeing her find her happily ever after made all the hard work worth it.
Join the Mission to Help More Dogs
By the end of the day, the train had made its rounds, the dogs had full bellies and happy hearts, and we had created memories to last a lifetime.
Happy Holidays, and here’s to more miracles for dogs everywhere!
