Have you ever been the instrument by which a life is saved? I bet if you think hard you can come up with several instances in your lifetime where your intervention has been instrumental in saving a life. Yesterday, Danny Thornton I got to save a life. Thanks to Gayle Balaban of The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E, who facilitated the connection between me and the Caolina Poodle Rescue at Dreamweaver Farms, Danny Thornton and I were able to save Nigel's life. See the picture below, that is Nigel laying in the backseat of my truck during transport.
Nigel is just over a year old. I was contacted about transporting him a couple of weeks ago by Gayle who is very active with this rescue organization; if you look through her posts, her love of poodles is evident. This transport was actually suppose to take place last Saturday, December 6, 2008 but one of the legs in the transportation chain could not be filled. When it was canceled for that weekend, I was quite concerned about Nigel's welfare. Luckily all the legs were able to be filled for yesterday's transport. I just received an e-mail from Bunny, who tirelessly coordinates the transportation, that Nigel made it safely to Dreamweaver Farms in Pacolet, South Carolina. My involvement in the transport consisted of meeting the previous leg's transporter very near my home in Knoxville. Danny Thornton and I then transported him about 60 miles to the east where he was picked up by the next transporter. This transport consisted of six legs of which I was the fifth leg.
I could tell when I picked Nigel up that, in spite of already having travelled for seven hours that day, he was a young, energetic pup. As you can see from the photo he was in need of grooming. He seemed very happy to lay across the backseat quite calmly as we travelled. I am also happy to note that he had already been neutered, was current on all his vaccinations, and had no fleas! This being my first transport, his overall health was my primary concern.
I am happy that I fought my uncertainty about participating in a transport as this was a very personally fulfilling experience for me. I am sure that Nigel will have no trouble being connected with his forever family as he is a beautiful and well behaved puppy who only wants to be loved. If you have the chance to participate in rescuing an animal, be it a dog, cat, horse, or whatever, take it! I spent about two hours out of one day to help save a life.
Read Gayle's post below when she first learned that the original transport had been canceled.
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Rich: What a wonderful story. You are a hero and congratulations for your efforts. This is a great cause and they are lucky to have someone such as yourself associated. Thank you for sharing.