the only thing worse than sticking a dog in a tiny pen outside/keeping a dog on a short chain outside, is letting a dog run loose...
we also live in a rural community in the boonies and it never ceases to amaze me to see not only mutts but purebreed dogs running loose - in packs - not only big dogs but little ones that cost $$$ - with collars on!
and then you see them on the side of the road being eaten by the buzzards after they were hit by a log truck...
you want to walk up to the 'owners' and smack 'em - anybody who does that and says, "I love my pet" is lying through their teeth...
I don't know why someone even has a dog if they are going to stick it outside on a short chain...
sigh