All were great passengers.   Tex wanted to ride in my lap most of the time, and Mia leaned up front to be close to us as well, but the Chow  was the one that hit he the most.  We had brought our large crate for him (donated to us by the wonderful folks at Pilots N Paws) but he absolutely would not come out of the crate he was in.  He was just too scared.  This was how he had been at the shelter he was rescued from, and it was obvious why he couldn’t get adopted from that atmosphere.   We swapped our crate for the one with the Chow,  and took all 3 on their way.

In Modesto the volunteers from separate rescues met with us to pick up their passengers.  We had to disassemble the crate with the Chow and coax him into the one in the car he was going in.  After we did, he hid his face in the corner, still just scared but not aggressive at all.  It was heartbreaking.

2 days later we got the picture of him sitting outside on his leash.  He’s a totally different dog, safe from the environment of a shelter, with a caring foster.   Seeing that picture brings home for us why we do this…these animals know they are not in a good place, but with our help they can be brought somewhere to get a new chance at life.

We’ve seen this on several occasions,  and every time it drives how worthwhile what all of us who volunteer do is.   For us, our opportunity came completely because of Pilots N Paws.  Thank you, as always.

Derek Heikes and Kim Bemis, PNP Pilots