🛬 Rescue Day with Chewy: My Fluffiest Co-Pilot Yet
Another clear California morning at Marysville Airport, and I’m loading up my trusty Piper Warrior with the usual essentials: fuel, coffee, and good intentions. Today is a rescue day, and while I’ve flown dozens, each one carries a little heartbeat of hope.
This time, I’m headed east to Cameron Park, nestled in the Sierra foothills, to pick up someone special. His name? Chewy. And yes, the Star Wars reference is intentional.
Though unlike Chewbacca, Chewy fits in a loaf pan. He’s a fluffy Pomeranian with a bark like a kazoo and a dramatic flair that would make C-3PO blush.
🛫 Takeoff to Fuzzball Territory
The Warrior hums to life and lifts off over fields that ripple like patchwork quilts. Folsom Lake twinkles beneath me as I head east.
There’s a rhythm to rescue day flights. Like a song I know by heart: preflight, fly, land, snuggle, repeat. But even with the routine, I remind myself not to go full autopilot—each animal matters.
👋 Meeting Chewy: The Fluff Awakens
At Cameron Park, Patricia awaits with an unmistakable sparkle in her eye. That’s the look of someone who loves critters with their whole heart.
“This is Chewy,” she says, delicately plucking a small golden cloud from a crate.
“Chewy had a little accident this morning,” she whispers, “so we gave him a bath. He absolutely hates hair dryers. He thinks they’re death rays.”
I glance down at Chewy, who is side-eyeing me like I might be the next thing to blast his fur.
✈️ In-Flight Naps and VIP Status
I secure him into his in-flight suite—aka the kennel with the soft travel blanket—and take off into the bright blue yonder.
Chewy settles quickly, curling into a ball with the confidence of a first-class passenger on a red-eye. Not a peep. Not a woof.
Now this is what I call a calm rescue day.
We float across the Central Valley, golden fields below and endless sky above. I check my GPS and give Chewy a glance. Still snoozing. He might just be a Jedi master of relaxation.
🛬 Welcome to Fresno, Smuggler Style
Touchdown at Fresno Executive Airport (KFCH) is smooth. On the tarmac waits Helga, my handoff partner from PAW SQUAD 559 Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.
She’s a Pomeranian pro—basically the dog whisperer of the Central Valley.
“Oh my goodness, he’s perfect,” she exclaims as I open the kennel. Chewy yawns, stretches like a bear rug, and melts into her arms. Mission: snuggle complete.
Helga tells me she fosters several Poms at a time. “Chewy’s going to love it. We’ve got three others just his size. It’s basically a cloud party.”
❤️ Why This Matters (And Always Will)
I hang back for a second, watching her coo at Chewy like he’s the galaxy’s last pup.
This isn’t just another errand. It’s a rescue. A rescue day that changes a little life—and maybe even mine.
There’s a rhythm, yes, but it’s not about going through the motions. It’s about showing up. It’s about seeing the furry little passenger as more than cargo. He’s a soul who needs us. Today, I’m lucky to be part of that.
And tomorrow? We fly again.
🐾 Just Another Rescue Day? Never.
So was this just another rescue day?
Not to Chewy.
Nor to Patricia or Helga.
Not to me.
Each wag, each gentle handoff, reminds me why I fuel up and take to the skies.
This isn’t just about flying. It’s about helping creatures too small to fly themselves.
One tiny loaf of a dog at a time.
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Check out our other rescue flights!
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