Stewart’s Journey: From Southern Streets to the Big Sky

written and submitted by dedicated rescue volunteer Roberta Harding

I have thought a lot about Stewart’s story since he was transported byPNP pilots last August. His situation exemplifies the spirit of PNPand of the people involved at every stage of animal rescue: shelter workers, rescuers, fosters, ground transporters, transport coordinators, pilots, the friendly folks at airports and FBOs, and adopters. I decided to relate his story now because of the inspiration it may  bring to all of us as we begin a new year of PNP rescue missions.

Stewart’s saga began in July of 2011, when Metro Animal Services [MAS] found him alone, bedraggled, and wandering the streets of Louisville, Kentucky. As you can tell by the photograph, he was in deplorable physical condition. His hair was so thickly matted, the groomer had no other option than to shave his coat to the skin.

Stewart doing his best to survive

He had fleas, dermatitis, demodex mange, eye and ear infections, and was underweight. He ended up needing numerous medications and medicated baths. Living on the streets also took an emotional toll on Stewart. Because of his poor physical condition and emotional state, Stewart was estimated to be a “senior”; approximately 9 years old. Fortunately for Stewart things were in the works to greatly improve his life.

MAS reached out to Angie White, the founder and director of Kentucky Animal Relief Fund, Inc, a non-profit animal rescue organization based in Louisville,KY, about helping Stewart. Angie offered to take Stewart, nurse him back to health and find a rescue that could place him in a forever home. What Stewart did not know was that he had hit the jack pot! Angie is renowned for her dedication in rescuing and rehabilitating senior and special needs dogs, then either finding them permanent homes or placing them with rescues. You can tell by the photo that under Angie’s care, Stewart not only regained his health, but also blossomed.

Thank you Angie for showing everyone how handsome I am!

 The other remarkable thing was that Stewart kept getting younger. As Stewart’s health improved, the vet reduced his age at each visit. He went to Angie’s as a 9 year old dog and when he left, his age was estimated at 3 years old!!! Why can’t that happen to me? Maybe we all should go to Angie’s!

Of course, the new improved Stewart still needed a place to go so he could find the perfect forever home. When Molly Bell, a rescuer in Helena,Montana, learned about Stewart she offered to take him into her rescue. In fact, Molly was fairly sure she already had the perfect home for Stewart!

Then the fun part commenced: how to get Stewart from Louisville,KentuckytoHelena,Montana?  As it turned out, it was going to take 3 days, 2 overnights, and 7 transport legs. The process of coordinating and executing this PNP mission was extraordinary on so many levels. People from different and culturally diverse parts of the country [the South, the Midwest, theRocky Mountain Statesand the Plains states] worked tirelessly together. Both genders were represented and the group was racially diverse as well. Everyone was flexible and acted selflessly; especially the pilots when flight times and other items changed.

One of the pilots, Roger Derby, generously came in at the proverbial 11^th hour and saved the transport by flying the first leg,Louisville,KY toSt. Louis,MO, on Friday, August 12, 2011. Dave Zilz, a pilot based near St. Louis who, the next day, flew fly the second leg, also saved the transport by offering to overnight Stewart. According to Dave, Stewart was an excellent houseguest and had fun playing with his son and hanging out with his canine companion.  From Dave’s video it looks like Stewart enjoyed his flight fromSt. Louis toKansas City.

Stewart with his pilot friends Dave and John

Pilot John Kuiper covered Leg 3 by getting Stewart from Kansas City to Goodland, KS where he met Adam Charles, aKAPA based pilot, who flew the fourth, and final, leg of Day Two of Stewart’s aeronautical adventure.

More pilot friends John and Adam, lucky me!

 After landing at KAPA, Adam met up with Dean Snepenger, who overnighted Stewart and got him to Pilot Mike Boyd at KEIK who flew the fifth leg of Stewart’s travels on Day Three. Thanks to Mike meeting Pilot Rich Clover in Rock Springs,WY Stewart was now much closer to beginning his new life with his new mom! 

Thinking Stewart might enjoy some canine company on the flight to KIDA [Idaho Falls], Rich brought his Aussie Sparky for the flight.

Stewart meets pilot Rich and his co-pilot Sparky!

The final leg of Stewart’sPNP transport began when Rich gave Stewart to Pilot Jerome Cain who flew him to his final destination: Helena,MT[KHLN]. Stewart must have known that he was at the end of his travels and something special was there because he “sang” as Jerome approached KHLN. Stewart was correct because his new Mom was waiting for him at the airport with Molly.

Hi Mom and Molly!

It was a joyous occasion, not only for Stewart and his new Mom, but for everyone who worked so hard to make sure it happened: MAS, Angie, Roger, Dave, John, Adam, Dean, Mike, Rich, Jerome, Molly and me [Roberta].

To me, Stewart’s story embodies the positive impact PNP has on the lives of so many animals.

video courtesy of pilot Dave Zilz, the flight from Stewart’s view!