With bundles of love on our laps

Edie and Jingle

Mari and Jewel

Of course you know today was Saturday and for Mari and I that means up early, an hour and a half trip to Spartanburg, SC, to pick up some dogs and get them started on their journey to rescue by giving them a ride to Salisbury, NC, 3 hours away.Today we had 26 dogs, and a missing driver. This was devastating, as we tried to figure out how to get all the dogs in vehicles to make the trip to Charlotte and beyond. Not taking them is not an option. Going back to the shelter would be the end for them.

So Mari and I took 2 extra passengers. Mari drove with Jewel, a 10 pound, skin and bones, Italian Greyhound mix on her lap, and I shared my seat with Jingle, a sweet Boston terrier mix with ears bigger than his head!

In the back rode Rascal, a spaniel mix, Spot, a border collie/hound mix, Spider a shepherd mix, and Six, a yellow lab mix.

Jewel was scared, uncertain, and submissive but after a few minutes of cuddling with Mari, she fell fast asleep in her lap. She probably has not had that kind of comfort, peace and quiet in the cool air for a long time, if ever. Jingle was more confident, but it seemed like he couldn't believe his luck, to get to ride shotgun and look out the window for a while before falling asleep too. He gave me lots of kisses!

Everyone in the back fell asleep too, except Spider, who first had to rip up the bedding in his crate. Once that bit of business was done, he fell asleep too. They all seem to realize they have left the chaos and cacophony of the shelter behind them, and the cool air, soft bedding, and gentle rocking of the car puts them at ease so they can sleep.

When we got to Salisbury, NC, the appointed place for the next drivers to take our passengers, Jewel didn't want to leave Mari. A bond of trust and love had quickly developed, and given the chance, Jewel would've held on to Mari for the rest of her days.

It's late Saturday evening, and by now Jewel is at her destination in Virginia. The other passengers continue on, to points north, in all, traveling 17 legs in two days.

Six little lives continued on today, and we played a small part in it. I can go to sleep tonight knowing that I helped and for those 6, it was the most important day of their lives. But what will keep me awake is that there are so many more who didn't get to ride.... and they are gone.