A chihuahua under the seat... Oh MY!

Saturday was another big transport day. More dogs than usual, we helped transport 30 dogs from Greenville, SC to rescues and adoptive homes in several points north.

One of the drivers who met us in Spartanburg, SC had several dogs crated in the back of her SUV, and she also had an 85 pound yellow lab named Beau tethered in the back, and a 10 pound chihuahua untethered on the front seat. Keep in mind that at the shelter, they don't let the dogs out to relieve themselves if they're going on a transport, they just load them up and send them off. Well, part way to Spartanburg, Beau's tether came undone and he was frantic to go to the bathroom! He jumped over the front seat and all you-know-what broke loose. What a mess! Meanwhile, the frightened chihuahua that had been sitting there dove for cover when it saw this huge lab coming at her and ended up hiding under the front seat.

The chi stayed right there, too, snarling and snapping at any attempt to get her out. Fortunately this driver was taking the next leg to Charlotte, NC also, which bought some more time. Once in Charlotte, everyone tried to get the dog out from under the seat. We couldn't get the seat off, and that dog was not budging! Here it is, 95 degrees out and muggy, and dogs and drivers are waiting in the parking lot before the transport could continue on.

Finally, the last driver showed up and through some magic was able to coax the scared chihuahua out. Kudos to the new dog whisperer!!

We were an hour late, but when we got to the next stop in Salisbury, NC, the drivers there were waiting, and thank goodness they were experienced transporters. Dogs were walked and watered, and in 10 minutes all were loaded and on their way.

I want to comment on one of the passengers in our car. He was a 4 month old German Shepherd puppy named "Flame". He had a huge burn down the middle of his back. In spite of his name, it didn't look like a burn from a fire, rather it looked more like an acid burn. It was raw and oozing, and yet he was a sweet and trusting boy. Whoever did this, or let it happen to him, should be strung up by the most tender part of their anatomy.

In transport, we see the worst of humankind, and the very best of animals. I'll take the animals any day. Transport isn't glamorous work. Yesterday it was hot, hard, sticky, smelly, and dirty work.

I can't think of a better way to spend my Saturdays.

"Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,
defend those who cannot defend themselves,
and plead the cause of those in need."
- Proverbs 31:8-9