The Dog Chain Home Station

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The Dog Chain Home Station

Updated: November 15, 2003

Let's begin again, shall we?

"The basic idea of this website is to provide a low-key, no-frills source of original information and analysis on the shows 'Road Rovers' and 'Spydogs'." When I first typed this sentence over a year ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. In this time, I have endeavored to balance my obligation to this ideal with the others that come naturally with maturity. Whether or not I have been successful is not for me to judge.

There are some things that I feel very strongly about, but very few are as strong as my conviction that in order to join a community, you must be able to contribute something of unique value to its betterment. I am neither writer nor artist (despite anything you read here). I cannot bring myself to abandon the cause of the Rovers or the Spydogs, but I cannot bring myself to be an active member of either fandom. My frustration comes not from being an isolated outpost (there are some advantages to this) but rather it stems from the fact that I do not know what, if any, impact I am making. The fact about Exile's father's name is important to me because no one else has ever posted it, but it has limited value if no one else ever sees it.So, I continue in this Catch-22, unable to go forward or backward.

And now dear readers, a question for you: Can anyone out there in Road Rover land give me information on when the decision to cancel the show was announced? I have some new information about this subject, but it needs this one key piece of info for it to have any meaning. In a shameless ploy to attract more attention to myself, I have posted this information at the Institute's website linked below.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled website:

Welcome to the Dog Chain Home Station!

Now listed on better search engines the world over.

In this small corner of the information superhighway, I will attempt to present a wholly unofficial take on two shows that, if given a chance, would have, and still could be successful.

Before I begin, I should tack on this disclaimer.

This is a test of national and international copyright laws. This Dog Chain Home Station, in conjunction with no federal, state, or local officials, did not intend to infringe upon these copyrights. If this had been an actual attempt to infringe upon these copyrights, this website would be followed by official news, information, or instructions, as well as being done a whole lot better. It also has not been done to gain the author any profit. If the lawyers and other company officials responsible for safeguarding their respective copyrights honestly think this (ahem) effort could make any money, think of what your company could make off of these copyrights with any effort.This concludes this test of national and international copyright laws.

The basic idea of this website is to provide a low-key, no frills source of original information and analysis on the shows "Road Rovers" and "Spydogs". One thing you will not find here is a description of either show. Why? Because I feel that you should explore any or all of the other websites devoted to these two shows. I won't endorse any of them, because I believe that you should form your own opinion about these topics.Think outside the doghouse. Be a consumer of information. There is a lot of it floating around out there. If, however, you feel that either or both of these shows are a lost cause, why am I typing this and why are you reading it? For the people who already love these shows, no descriptions are necessary. For the people who have never experienced "Road Rovers" or "Spydogs", no description can do them full justice.

I also feel that many of the other websites you will come across can be summarized with the following statement:

Reader, if thou seekest the Rover or Spydog monument, look about thee.

Many people care enough about these shows that even after three to four years of waiting for new episodes, they are still willing to keep pulling for their canine heroes. It says something about the people, individually and as a collective whole, but it also says something about the shows themselves, something that has been stated many times and by much better writers than me.

I will also say nothing against the decision to cancel these shows because to err is human, to forgive, canine. Money is the driving force behind business, but can anyone trust the evidence presented by their eyes and hearts?

It is unfortunate that neither of these shows are currently airing in the U.S. because they are truly classics of American animation.( Okay, my bias is showing.) There are several good animated programs airing on all networks, but the majority of them are so merchandised that it's difficult to tell what the show ends and the commercial begins. All that is left of the Rovers and Spydogs are the memories of their fans. While there weren't too many episodes, it's the quality of those memories that is important.

Before I end this too-brief introduction, allow me to give you an overview of the way the Station operates. As a college student, I don't have much free time. I will try to update on a weekly basis. Sometimes, more weakly than others. It's also my intention to keep this as small a site as possible. I find working under strict limits forces me to include only my best work. I know it doesn't say much if this is the best I can do. I am not currently accepting any stories or drawings in order to stay within these guidelines. Again, a careful exploration of the other sites will find what you're looking for in 98% of the cases anyway. I have come to realize what my contribution to the cause can be. The focus, at least for now, is to become a viable option for people to get a fresh perspective, perhaps, on these two wonderful shows.

If you feel up to it now, you can visit The Institute of Canine Cartoon Comedy Research Home Page

For a look at the theoretical work of yours truly, please take time out of your schedule to drop in on the Barken Commission Homepage

If you really like torturing yourself, check out the Stories page. The prologue and first three chapters of my first story are now up. I've gone for more of a novelistic feel because I'm a little more comfortable with it.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions are gratefully accepted. If you want an answer, be forewarned that the answer may be slow in coming, as I'm not good at remembering to check my in-box. Forewarned is forepawed. The address is dogchainhome1@aol.com.Please address any Rover or Spydog related missives to the 26th Dog in order to avoid confusion with anything unimportant.