Pilots N Paws is a group of pilots and animal rescue workers who coordinate their efforts to save animals from bad situations. I have been wanting to participate in a dog-rescue flight since I first learned of the organization at Airventure, and I finally got my big chance on September 27. Since I was vexed in my efforts to line up the rental plane for this flight, I enlisted the help of pilot Rene Rivero and his Cessna 310.
Wally was found and fed by workers at Walmart.
There was plenty of room in Rene’s twin-engine gas guzzler for several dogs, but we picked up just one deserving pup: Wally, a “boxer mix” (euphemism for “mutt,” by the way). Wally was found abandoned at a Louisville Walmart (hence his name), where he was cared for by employees there. A new home in Minnesota was found, and rescue workers on the ground proceeded to coordinate three pilots, plus transport on either end, to get Wally to his new home. An amazing amount of work went into this, especially by coordinator Cheryl Anderson in Minneapolis. The pilots have the easy (and fun) part of the job, frankly.
Ready for departure: Rene, Anne Marie, and Charlene with Wally
Rene, Anne Marie (Aviation Vacations’ tour planner, along for the ride) and I killed time in Gary — think smokestacks, chain link, and Dairy Queen — until it was time to meet Wally. When he finally arrived from Louisville in Jay Wetzel’s Cessna 210, I was happy to see a friendly and happy dog… even if he did have a tendency to drool excessively when he was nervous (upon landing, for example). He was the perfect passenger and seemed to enjoy his “first class” accommodations in the back of the 310.
Wally and James in Middleton
After a quick and easy flight to Middleton (near Madison), we left Wally with pilot James Blystone for the last leg to Anoka, MN. As they taxied off, Wally peeked out the side window and did his best to look cute… and succeeded admirably. I later learned the flight went well, and Wally is now safe and happy in his new home. If I do more Pilots N Paws missions (and I will, for sure), I may end up with a houseful of “Wallies” myself!
Bye bye!
Categories: cross country, pets and aviation, pilots R awesome
Tom Teel Said,
October 3, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
James, Great job! Three plane rides for Wally- what an adventure and lot of work to set up like you said. All of you involved must feel so good inside having made Wally and his new owners so happy. Thanks for being so caring, TAT.
Cheryl Anderson Said,
October 19, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
YAY for Wally! He was just adopted in MN! A huge success for everyone involved!