Friends Remember a Beloved Animal Advocate

Sue Heublein helps unchain a Fido. Photo by Brian Grubb

Friends and colleagues packed a Molalla church on March 30 to memorialize Sue Heublein, a leader in the movement to unchain dogs across Oregon and the US. Sue had served on the board of directors for Portland-based Fences For Fido, where she also volunteered as a client outreach coordinator and fence builder, working with area families to free dogs from life on a chain. Most recently, she co-founded Unchained Planet, a project of Fences For Fido to mentor groups and individuals across the country in starting their own unchaining organizations.

Fences For Fido colleagues praised Sue’s cheerfulness, even when working on sad dog situations or battling the aggressive cancer that ultimately ended her life. The 67-year-old Sue had retired from a distinguished career in upper-level management with the Veterans Hospital. As a member of the Army Reserves, she completed Officer’s training, won awards on the rifle target-shooting team, and attained the highest rank of Captain.