The following came from Groovy Goldendoodles
by Cathy Bennett

There’s a strong possibility some of you reading this blog post today, are not aware of our Pilots N Paws post from last October. This organization is so near and dear to my heart I was delighted to participate in this quarter’s: Blog the Change for Animals blog hop – I couldn’t resist talking about these pawsome people…

So what exactly is Pilots N Paws? Simply put – they are volunteer licensed pilots who donate their time, resources, and private planes to rescue animals from shelters where time is running out.

I understand this all started with Debi Boies who wanted a Doberman flown from Florida to South Carolina in 2008. Since then, Pilots N Paws has transported more than 75,000 animals.

They do not just transport dogs and cats either. In August they flew a bear cub badly burned in a Washington State wildfire to a Lake Tahoe wildlife facility where she is being treated for her burns.

I was first introduced to Pilots N Paws when I was a columnist for The Virginia Maryland Dog magazine. Pam Wahl, Publisher / Editor-in-Chief, told me she’d met the most courageous group of people doing wonderful work with saving the lives of animals.

Smitten with this crusade, Pam was traveling as often as she could to meet these planes as they landed to rest, refuel, transfer animals, and switch pilots. She captivated all my attention every time, as she told me pawdorable stories about the puppies and senior dogs at the airfield.

Weeks later she would give me updates on certain animals she’d described earlier. I too was hooked. It was during one of these many conversations when she invited me to join her at a local airfield for one of their scheduled stops.

Of course I accepted – who wouldn’t want to witness something like this?

A family furrend and retired Airforce pilot offered to fly both the boys and Doodle Dad down there in his plane leaving his wife and I to follow along by car – BOL. Harley was quite comfy in the cockpit…

Unfortunately we could only talk about if they could fly because the plane was grounded due to a “no show” of a particular part replacement necessary for flight. However, Harley seemed to love his runway taxi test…

Last month Harley’s social calendar took a head on collision with an already accepted invitation to the Wigglebutt Warriors event. So we were unable to attend this years Pilots N Paws benefit. How exciting though, for all the aviator fans to see and meet Patty Wagstaff.

This non profit organization performs countless selfless acts not only saving the lives of so many animals, but also helping them get a fresh new start with loving furever homes.

Pam Wahl is now a student pilot and Vice President of Pilots N Paws. I have no doubt one day very soon Harley and I will both be standing on the edge of some grassy airfield watching her navigate her own plane onto the runway carrying animals to safety all by herself 🙂

For more about Pilots N Paws, including information about volunteering and guidelines for rescues, visit pjd.aey.mybluehost.me/.

We’re joining Blog the Change for Animals Blog Hop today. Please read the other blog posts throughout the day and offer help or encouragement where you can. Remember, a kind word can make a difference!