November 3rd, 2012 we started our 22nd Pilots N Paws Rescue at (3M5) Moontown Airport in Huntsville, AL, our home base. We met Michelle Spencer, who drove from Athens to deliver our first passengers, two American Cattle dogs, Pepper and Blue. These little guys were both excited and nervous, but they went in the same crate to keep each other company.

Weather was great! Clear, calm, and a little cool. We headed to Jasper,AL to pick up 8 more puppies from Tracy Rayburn. These puppies were just adorable. Amanda- a Curr, Spirit- a terrier mix, Caitlyn- a fluffy mix (I fell in love with Caitlyn), Coal- a lab mix, Samuel- a spaniel mix, a hound mix, Catahoula mix and a terrier (mini heeler) with no names. Very hyper dogs but happy to be rescued.

With all passengers loaded we took off for Bainbridge, GA. We met up with Ed Golly and Gary Keilty, two other Pilot N Paws pilots. These two pilots took our dogs/puppies along with 8 other dogs from the Bainbridge shelter and one huge German Sheppard who was ground transported from Panama City, FL. The pilots loaded up and headed to Tampa, FL to meet up with the rescues/foster families. Between all 3 airplanes we were able to rescue 19 animals.

It is always very emotional for these rescuers to let the dogs go, but they know the animals are headed for a better life.  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, who took care of our dogs so we could do this rescue.

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. All of these dogs are really sweet, and they deserve to be curled up on the living room floor at night not tossed out like trash.

Cessna N2858F
Todd & Mary Brooks