BONUS: Rowdy's Ride to Remember

 

And You Did Another One After That?

Picture this: It's September 2021, and I'm still riding the high from adopting Stella, a perfect addition to our family. Little did I know, the journey I was about to embark on would lead me to my first-ever dog transport mission – a tale filled with unexpected twists and heartwarming moments.

I had kept in touch with Stella's rescue group, and one day, an opportunity to help another pup in need arose. The mission? To transport a dog to his forever home in Massachusetts. The plan was to pick him up from a Jersey Turnpike rest stop and meet his new adopter halfway. My heart swelled with generosity, and I eagerly volunteered for the job.

In the following days, I connected with the new adopter, whom I'll call Betty, and together, we hatched a plan. However, fate had other plans. A sudden email from the rescue shattered our hopes as the adoption fell through. Betty was heartbroken, but I reassured her that when the right dog came along, I'd be there to help with the transport.

Five days later, Betty reached out with exciting news – she had found her furry companion, a yellow lab named Rowdy, a 70-pound bundle of joy on the mend from being a starving stray. Our plan for a meet-up in two weeks began to take shape, but I knew I couldn't tackle the journey alone. That's when my dear friend Phyllis stepped in, offering both assistance and her car for the ride.

The day finally arrived, and as I met up with Phyllis, I felt more confident thanks to my previous experience with Stella. We knew the drill: where to go, where to park, and where to wait. But as the moment approached, things took an unexpected turn. Rowdy, far from calm or cooperative, proved challenging to coax into the car. Picture this: a rest stop on I-95, with me trying to outsmart a stubborn dog while Phyllis documented the entire escapade for Betty.

Thirty minutes of dog wrangling ensued, with Rowdy determined to avoid the car. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and I had to wrestle him to the ground to ensure he wouldn't escape. Once safely in the back seat, I breathed a sigh of relief, while Phyllis enjoyed the spectacle.

On the road, we began our journey up I-95, planning to pass through New York City. As we crossed the George Washington Bridge, a sudden surprise rocked our world. A giant, wet tongue landed on my face. I turned to see Rowdy, perched in the back seat as if contemplating joining us up front – a 70-pound yellow lab with adventure in his eyes.

Panic set in. I needed to maintain control of the situation, drive safely through the tight confines of I-95, and prevent Rowdy from making an unscheduled leap into the front seat. With the skill of a "seasoned dog wrangler" and the voice of a shrieking, panicked teenager, I squeaked out, "NO! SIT DOWN!!" while stretching my arm across the back seat to block access.

For the next hour, I drove with one hand on the wheel, my right arm serving as a barrier to keep Rowdy in check. There was no safe place to pull over and reattach his leash, so we persevered, relieved when we finally arrived at our destination.

We texted Betty to announce our arrival, and a few minutes later, a black Subaru Zip-Car pulled up nearby. Betty emerged, a petite figure with an unassuming demeanor. I recounted our eventful journey, all the while fearing that Rowdy, a dog larger than Betty herself, might overpower her. To my amazement, Betty swiftly took control, calming Rowdy within minutes.

Eager to get back on the road, I declined Betty's offer of lunch or coffee and thanked her for her gratitude. Phyllis and I hastily departed, making a quick U-turn at the next exit. We pulled into the nearest gas station, needing a moment to decompress from our wild adventure. We couldn't help but laugh and exclaim, "WTF! Never again!"

Yet, here Mark and I are, transporting dogs almost weekly, thoroughly enjoying the journey. As fate would have it, Phyllis and I are set for another "first transport" together, an airport run. Stay tuned for that story in our next post!

In the world of dog rescue, every transport is a unique adventure, filled with highs and lows, but the rewards are immeasurable.

ROWDY

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There is no love like the love from a rescue! ❤️🐶❤️