Though Eugene Bostick from Fort Worth, Texas officially retired about 15 years ago, he managed to embark on a new career that is very impactful.
He has now started his new career as a train conductor for rescued stray dogs.
He never planned to help the needy pets but, when he saw people leaving their dogs to starve, he and his brother thought to help the stray dogs.
“We live down on a dead-end street, where me and my brother have a horse barn. People sometimes come by and dump dogs out here, leaving them to starve. So, we started feeding them, letting them in, taking them to the vet to get them spayed and neutered. We made a place for them to live.” Bostick told The Dodo.
Over the years, Bostick has taken in countless abandoned dogs. He is keeping them safe on Bostick’s farm. The rescued dogs can run and play on Bostick’s farm. But that was not enough.
One day, Bostick thought why not take them out on little trips to other places as well as it will make them happier.
“One day I was out, and I saw this guy with a tractor who attached these carts to pull rocks. I thought, ‘Dang, that would do for a dog train. I’m a pretty good welder, so I took these plastic barrels with holes cut in them, and put wheels under them and tied them together.” said Bostick.
And then, he decided to build the dog train.
Bostick and the nine dogs currently under his care go on a trip once or twice a week now.
“Whenever they hear me hooking the tractor up to it, man, they get so excited. They all come running and jump in on their own. They’re ready to go.” said Bostick.
The dog train has gained popularity among locals. They always ask to take pictures whenever Bostick and his dogs are out for a trip.
“I’m getting up in age. I’m 80 now, so I suppose it can’t last too much longer, but I’ll keep it going as long as I can. The dogs have a great time. They just really enjoy it.” said Bostick.