My daughter, Molly, was driving by when she saw 3 men throwing a 6-week old beagle puppy between them like a football.  She stopped the car and begged them to give the pup to her, but they just laughed and kept throwing her.  She offered them money and looked in her wallet and had $17.  The men finally consented, took the cash and threw the puppy at her.  Markle was saved!  Molly knew she and her husband wouldn’t be able to keep her, she was the 4^th pet in an apartment with a 2-pet limit, but they wanted to get her healthy and win her trust before finding her a perfect home.

3 months later, that perfect home was found in Mobile, AL and we made plans to fly her down there on Saturday.  It was a tearful goodbye, but we knew Markle would fit right in with a 5-year-old beagle sister, loving parents and a big yard to run around in.  

We met at the airport with a 15-year old aspiring pilot named Cameron, who was excited about going on his first Pilots N Paws flight!   Caryl Lawson with Grace Girl Photography was there to take these amazing photos. 

As we were loading Markle on the plane, a nearby jet started its engine.  The noise startled Markle who jumped out of Cameron’s arms, slipped the collar on the leash he was still holding and ran off.  It took nearly 12 hours, a team of dedicated searchers and a couple of sightings before we were able to get her back!  For the 2^nd time in her short life, Markle was saved!  

We have flown with PNP for many years and I’m always so careful with double, sometimes triple leashing, but I let my guard down with Markle because she knew us so well!  I never dreamed she would run away from us.  It was a tough lesson and one that will stay with us forever!

We were able to make the flight the next day, Markle wearing a harness, 2 collars and 3 leashes!  She exited the plane right into her new Mom’s arms, where I’m told she has taken over the bed and settled right in!  Cameron loved his first PNP transport and will be onboard with us for many more.  So many good things came out of this flight.

Paul and Lilly Gardner, PNP Pilots

Photos courtesy of Caryl Lawson with Grace Girl Photography

Not done reading yet? See another awesome rescue story! »