When you meet a dog who has traveled to 46 states - by train - you know that this is no ordinary guy. He is a special dog, and now he needs surgery to remove a large tumor from his eyelid, which is pressing on his eye. Texas A&M has scheduled him for surgery on October 1; they’ve said that it will require one or two surgeries, and that the cost will be between $1,200 and $2000 for the initial procedure. A second surgery may be needed if the eyelid repair causes any hair to rub on the eyeball. There is no way to know until it heals if that will be the case, so I’m asking for an additional $1500 to be ready for that, if needed. The last paragraph will explain the plan for any excess funds that aren’t used for eye surgery.


Freddie Evins spent his first years houseless, nomadic, riding freight trains with Dawn and other travelers. He was always there to protect and love Dawn when she was alone; he was literally her ride or die. When Harvey flooded Houston, Freddie was swept away, kidnapped, and held for ransom for ten days; the longest ten days of their lives.

Fred’s life changed as radically as Dawn’s when, six years ago, she chose to leave that life and get sober. He now lives in a house with a yard, his own bed (although Dawn’s is preferred), and he enjoys two meals a day, treats, and a life that would never have been possible if Dawn hadn’t chosen to stop riding trains and living the life that went with it.

While Dawn has done all that she could to keep him comfortable, the tumor on his eyelid has now come out from under the lid and is pressing directly on his eye. It is very large and, although A&M does not believe that it is cancerous, it must be removed. It will be sent for pathology to ensure it is benign. The surgical team conducted tests and measurements this week, and they think they can save his eye.

The transition from having only Freddie’s bowl and the clothes on her back to the life she has now has been miraculous. Dawn drives a concrete truck for a living, sometimes upwards of seventy hours a week. She has a car, rents a home, and pays all her bills, but she does not have savings to pay for this surgery. She has sold her motorcycle, but it isn’t enough.

If you can help, I can’t think of a person - or a dog - who has been through more, or who would be more appreciative, than these two. If you know me, you know Dawn’s story. If you don’t, you’ve missed out on one of the most incredible stories of hope and redemption. Dawn sends fellow travelers in need a little bit of money when she can. I’m asking that you do the same for Fred. It doesn’t have to be much. She’s tried so hard to get by without having to put Fred through this surgery or to ask for help, so I’m asking on her behalf.

Any money not used for Freddie’s surgery will be allocated to help the animals of travelers who need veterinary care. It may be for spay or neuter, medical care, or injury, but anyone who donates here will know that their money will go to help an animal who is deeply loved but doesn’t have the funds to be cared for. Because that’s who Dawn is.