You’ve probably heard about the “cat distribution system”, whereby some unknowable and unseen force is known to place cats and kittens into the path of people who didn’t know they were even looking for a cat until a cat found them. It’s a well-recognized phenomenon. Trust us.
However, a similar system isn’t as well established in the canine world, or so we thought. Recently, Curtis Shuck, founder and chairman of the nonprofit Well Done Foundation, found something he wasn’t expecting at an orphan well site: a new family member and canine company mascot.
Did You Say Orphan Wells?
You might not be familiar with the Well Done Foundation or the important work they are doing, but that’s about to change. The Well Done Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and plugging orphaned oil and gas wells across the United States.
According to Curtis, “these wells no longer have a financially responsible owner and are often left leaking methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
“We work with federal and state agencies, private landowners, and local communities to locate these wells, plug and permanently seal them, and then restore the land around them to its natural state. In simple terms, we find orphan wells, stop the pollution, and help the land heal.”
This is highly technical work that requires the right team, training, and equipment to ensure everyone stays safe. If left unplugged, these orphan wells continue to leak methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s over 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, into the environment.
Curtis adds that the orphan wells also pose a risk to nearby communities by contaminating groundwater and soil. “Plugging these wells stops the pollution, improves air and water quality, and allows us to restore the land for ranching, recreation, or wildlife habitat. Every orphan well we plug is a measurable win for the climate and for local communities.”
Having spent decades in the energy industry, Curtis had seen the growing problem of abandoned wells, and he remembers the moment he realized that he couldn’t keep ignoring it.
“During a trip through Montana’s oil fields in 2019, I came across my first orphan well, and I could literally see and smell the methane leaking. That moment was a turning point. I realized this was a space where I could bring my experience and connections together to make a real impact, so I founded the Well Done Foundation to take on this challenge head-on.”
Although he finds the work itself very rewarding, little did Curtis know that a seemingly routine visit to an orphan well was about to change his life. There at the site of the abandoned well was a scruffy, malnourished, abandoned puppy.
Meet Plugger
Estimated to be around five months old, this skinny little hound has turned out to be the reward and companion that Curtis Shuck didn’t even know he was missing; now he’s officially part of the family, and aptly named, Plugger.
“He was underweight and in rough shape, but after some care and a few vet visits, he bounced back quickly. I didn’t have any dogs before finding him, so he’s the first. He’s been fitting in great and doing all the puppy things you’d expect, hanging around the office, joining us on field visits, and becoming a bit of a mascot for the team. Everyone loves having him around.
“When we first found him, Plugger was very quiet and reserved, and you could tell he’d been through some tough times. He’s still a mellow dog and doesn’t bark much, but now that he’s healthy, we’re seeing more of his playful, curious side come out.”
With the curiosity and scenting instincts of a hound, Plugger may even become more than just a mascot at the Well Done Foundation.
“We’re actually exploring having him trained as a methane-sniffing dog, which would be a fun and fitting way for him to join us in the field,” says Curtis. “It’s early days, but the idea is that he’ll get to be part of the mission — a four-legged helper in the fight against climate change.”
The well-plugging journey has been an interesting one, but according to Curtis, this particular adventure has been the best.
“We’ve seen a little bit of everything from wells in people’s front yards to old equipment buried in the woods. You never know what you’ll find out there. But discovering Plugger was definitely one of the most unexpected and heartwarming experiences yet. It was a reminder that even in places that seem forgotten, there’s still life worth saving.”
How to Help
If you’d like to know more about the Well Done Foundation and support its work, please visit welldonefoundation.org to learn more, donate, or even adopt a well to help fund its plugging and restoration. Every contribution makes a tangible difference in reducing methane emissions and protecting the environment.
Was it karma or a canine distribution system that put Plugger in Curtis’s path? Either way, we’re just glad they found each other!
All images courtesy of Curtis Shuck
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Did You Say Orphan Wells?
