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Delivered To Safety

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Positive Real Estate Professionals

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.

HELP HELP HELP ANIMAL LOVERS PLEASE---NASHVILLE OR PARIS TN.

Valerie Springer
Benchmark Mortgage nmls 2143 - Birmingham, AL
Home Loan Officer AL, FHA, VA, Conventional and Re

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.

Dec 14, 2008 10:04 AM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru

Rich, I am just glad to have been a part of giving Nigel a chance at a better life.

Dec 14, 2008 10:35 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Rich, I know how devoted Gayle is to this wonderful cause and did read that you were stepping in to help as well!  Nigel is one very lucky dog and Gayle, you and Charles did a wonderful job.  Bless you all.

Dec 14, 2008 10:48 AM
Eric McGowan
Moody, AL

Rich, kudos on Nigel's behalf. So many animals are abused and need our help.

Dec 14, 2008 11:36 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Rich - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  AND DANNY, TOO!  Nigel is a handsome fella.  I hope his forever family gives him plenty of love.

And God bless Gayle for her efforts, too!  The animal rescue operations are a valuable thing.  Animals can't speak for themselves, so they need us to watch out for them.

Dec 14, 2008 11:38 AM
Gayle Balaban
The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN
E. TN Waterfront Real Estate

Thanks Rich and Danny too.  Kudos to you both.  I am so grateful that you could help Nigel and Bunny out.  One more dog saved!  Thanks guys.

Dec 14, 2008 12:22 PM
Chris Fisher
Your Virtual Assistant - Concord, CA

Nigel looks quite comfortable there.  I'm glad Gayle put you guys to work taking care of the poodles.  I know if I was closer I'd be transporting too.  He's a sweetie and a good sport, I can tell!

Dec 14, 2008 03:04 PM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Valerie - I am happy that I was able to help.

Danny - Thanks!

Carole - Gayle definitely devoted to this cause and I am happy to be able to help when I can.

Eric - Very true, they only have people to depend on.

Carol - You are right they depend on us for food, shelter, love, everything; that is what makes it so difficult to see abused and abandoned animals.

Gayle - It was our pleasure.

Chris - Nigel was awesome! Loving, well behaved, if I had room I would have him as my companion.

Dec 15, 2008 03:48 AM
Marey Hoeppner
Kalamazoo, MI
Your Success Is Our Goal!

Rich that is a very cute photo! Thanks for sharing.

Dec 17, 2008 12:59 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

marey - He was a great dog.

Dec 17, 2008 02:44 PM