Our 14th Pilots N Paws Rescue on February 25, 2012 started at Huntsville Airport in Alabama, our home base. We departed with Mr. Bojangles, a Brussels Griffon Terrier delivered from Glenda White at Huntsville. We headed to Montgomery, AL. At Montgomery, Mr. Bojangles stayed on board while we loaded 2 labs (Halden and Jarvice), border collie, pregnant beagle, 6 beagle puppies and one cat. Loading the airplane was like playing a jigsaw puzzle, so many dogs of different weights and sizes and how they will fit in the crates. We had to figure out which ones will get along in the crates so there will be no in-flight issues.

Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces

After successfully loading all scheduled passengers, we had room (barely) for a standby passenger, a male beagle. It is always very emotional for these rescuers to let the dogs go, but they know the animals are headed for a better life. Once all were on board, we headed to Marianna, FL. We met up with Jeff Bennett, another Pilot N Paws pilot. We transferred the animals to his airplane. Jeff brought three dogs from the south that needed to head back north. This transfer was a little more involved; we unloaded all 12 dogs and a cat from our airplane then unloaded his airplane.

There was one dog named Conan that was a red zone, so it took a little more caution to make sure all other dogs were out of his path. Conan is a bull terrier mix. We also picked up a chow named Buddy Bear and a lab mix named Buddy.

With all animals on board of both airplanes, Jeff took off first headed back to Florida. We took off and headed to Tuscaloosa to drop off Conan, with Tuscaloosa Camp K9. Then we headed back home to Huntsville. Waiting there was Lynda Grizzle who adopted Buddy Bear. This will be her 5th chow rescue. Also waiting in Huntsville was Suzanne Carter who will foster Buddy until a forever home is found.

Creative Tie-Downs?

All rescues are complex rescues, but they end up very successful. Another part of a successful rescue is finding someone to take care of our 4 dogs. Thanks to Adam Wallace for letting our dogs out during the day.

We appreciate how hard the volunteers work facilitating constantly changing dogs, destinations, times, pilots, and weather.

Unfortunately many others aren’t as lucky, and as you all know, the only answer to this devastating issue is to spay/neuter/rescue.

Todd & Mary Brooks once again saving furry lives.

Cessna N2858F
Todd & Mary Brooks