Some days just end on the right note. Today, I had the opportunity to be in a story that starts out sad, but miraculously finds a happy ending. Our story is about a young puppy named Dakota who was moments away from being put down, but found life.
I’m on the road anywhere from 6-8 days at a time while at work. Followed by 4-6 days at home. One of my favorite ways to spend time at home is …wait for it … flying! Sometimes I fly my Piper Warrior around the pattern. Other days I fly to another airport for breakfast. But the one thing I absolutely enjoy doing is flying animal rescue flights for the charity Pilots N Paws. PnP is an organization that helps pair animal rescues needing to move an animal with a pilot who can volunteer. Not only is it a great way to keep the plane flying, it saves lives with happy endings!
The Call
This week I got a call from Lynn asking if I could fly a puppy from Bakersfield CA to Modesto CA. Poor Dakota was adopted as a young puppy but returned a few months later to a shelter in Apple Valley. Unfortunately, the shelter she was at does not hold animals long and she was scheduled to be put down. Thankfully, a wonderful woman named Terri was able to pick her up in Apple Valley and drive her two hours to Bakersfield.
The Warrior loved the crisp January morning and climbed at more than 1000 fpm. The winds were more favorable the higher I climbed so I chose to cross the CA valley southbound from Sacramento to Bakersfield at 9500’. Guided by a nice 20 knot tailwind, I was able to make the flight in about 2+10 hrs; a few minutes before Terri arrived.
The Pickup
My first thought seeing Dakota was, what an adorable girl! She’s still a puppy but was very mild mannered and calm. We snapped a few pics and walked her out to the plane. One question people often ask is, how do the animals act in the plane? Personally, I always choose to kennel an animal I’m transporting. I have a large metal crate that easily unfolds into my back seat and can fit most medium large dogs. I have a few smaller plastic kennels for small dogs and cats. Dakota fit easily into the metal kennel and was fast asleep by the time I leveled off.
The Happy Ending
I took a look at the winds aloft before departing Bakersfield and found that while 9500’ was great for flying South, 4500’ was going to better for flying North. With neither a head nor tail wind, the flight was going to take me about 1+30 hrs to get to Modesto. A hop, skip and jump later I pulled the engine to idle and shut down at the Modesto Jet Center FBO where Angela was waiting to pick up her new foster puppy. Angela works with a network of rescues and was going to be keeping Dakota until the an opening could be found for her.
One more selfie for the road, and I waived good bye to my travel partner.
Good bye Dakota…and enjoy your happy ending and new life.
Interested in flying your own Pilots N Paws rescues? Check out these items we use to keep our passengers safe, comfortable and happy.
@canucopeaviation
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Check out our other rescue flights!
