Monroe -- Marilyn Perhaps?

Linda once again stepped up and hosted another dog, lucky Monroe, at her home last night.  You may recall that Linda is doggie mother to Dolly, so when she heard the name, Monroe, she immediately thought of Marilyn.  Dolly (Parton) and (Marilyn) Monroe -- both in the house.  We giggled over this as we speculated what Monroe would be like.  So, please let me introduce Marilyn, er...I mean, Monroe.  Linda is the one with the long dark hair.  Monroe -- well -- doesn't exactly look like Marilyn Monroe -- but Linda still felt she was beautiful!




Monroe's first meal of the day.

Monroe's transport arrived quite late, as it was delayed by heavy rain in the south.  She was tired and hungry.  Linda was happy to take her home and provide her first meal of the day.  Due to the number of dogs being transported, they are not fed much because of the hours and hours they spend in vehicles.  Better to arrive hungry, than not arrive at all!



I ain't goin' nowhere!

Linda, of course, wanted to take Monroe for a walk after her dinner, but Monroe wasn't having any of it.  She liked Linda's house, and wasn't about to risk going out the door for fear she'd get pushed into another vehicle and be trapped again for hours on end.  So she planted herself on the landing at the top of the stairs.  Linda didn't push it.



I'm a killer dog, I'm a killer dog...

Monroe soon became comfortable and found a toy that she just loved.  In fact, she even slept with it!

And surprise, surprise.  Monroe liked belly rubs.  She liked them so much, that Linda is convinced Monroe would let her belly be scratched 23 hours a day!  The extra hour would be for eating and walks, of course.





Not to be outdone, Dolly also had to get in on the belly-rub  action, and soon Linda found herself, arms outstretched, trying to be all things to all people dogs.  Boy, they have the life, don't they?

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear, and there's nothing like being in the great outdoors, with a beautiful view.  So Monroe took the opportunity to breathe some fresh air and enjoy her morning in repose on the deck, while Linda prepared to take her to the final leg of her transport.  Monroe knew she'd been the perfect house guest.  No accidents, no problems.  And Linda kept telling her what a good dog she'd been.  So a great time was had by all.  Monroe is on her way to the northeast today, where she will be fostered until she finds her forever home.  As sweet as she is, she'll be snapped up quickly, and will live the life of the star she is.

Update on Missy

Remember Missy from last week?  She was the dog whom I believed missed her family so much.  As predicted, the young lady of 24, who was so interested in adopting Missy, even at her ripe old age of 6, met Missy last Sunday and still had love in her heart for her.  She excitedly submitted her application, and Missy went home with her just this past Thursday.

We don't know whether Missy's original family was a family with kids, or if maybe she belonged to just one person who couldn't keep her for some reason.  But what I do know for certain is that her new doggie mother will be very good to her, and Missy will soon be barking a new tune -- one of joy, security, comfort and love.  Lots of love.

Beautiful Becca

Linda hosted Becca for an overnight last night, before she was transported further up the line to her foster home.  Becca was beautiful, and enjoyed watching the neighborhood from her perch on Linda's deck of her condo.

The deck wasn't the only thing Becca enjoyed.  A good old belly rub is one of her favorite things.  Isn't it everyone's?  And notice how much she enjoyed just plain old lovin' (right).  I know, everyone enjoys that!

And here's Linda's favorite picture (left) of Becca.  It's wonderful to know she is well on her way to a safe, happy home, thanks to the transports that somehow manage to work in a rather chaotic situation.  And thank goodness for people like Linda, who are dedicated to helping these wonderful dogs escape to a much better place! 

Just Missy and Me

Yesterday, August 4th, another dog transport came my way.  I was supposed to transport two dogs, Missy and Oscar Meyer, last Saturday, but it fell through.  This weekend, I was set to drive both again, but learned late Friday that Oscar Meyer wouldn't be coming as he had a urinary tract infection and had to remain at the foster home where he is.  So Missy would be coming alone.  Because I thought I'd have two large dogs, I hadn't arranged for anyone to accompany me, as I wasn't sure the two dogs would both fit in the back seat.  So this time, it was just Missy and me.

I arrived early at the drop-off location, but waited only two minutes before Missy arrived.  It turned out her driver was Steve, who was the man who had helped me on a previous transport after I fell backwards in the parking lot (and got a mild concussion).  So I got to thank him in person for all his help that day.  I was so happy I got the opportunity to do that.


Missy is a six-year old mix who sadly was surrendered by her family.  Wish I could tell you why.  She's the sweetest girl, but it seemed quite apparent she missed her family.  I got the distinct feeling she hoped her family was there to meet her, and was disappointed it was only another driver.  She walked great on the leash, and after a few slurps of water, we were ready to go.


Missy inaugurated my special backseat cover-up that I'd hurriedly bought for my last transport, King Arthur, who instead chose to sleep on the floor.  She hopped right in, but was nervous and upset, as she panted quickly and whined a bit.  We waved bye-bye to Steve, and started our trek to the next location.

Missy contemplated being the navigator on this ride, but finally decided to settle down in the back seat -- where she kept her eye on me, just to be sure I obeyed all laws and followed the correct route.  I've become quite the expert at taking photos while I drive.  Don't tell anyone, okay?



Once we got off the highway and got into more stop-and-go driving, Missy was up to check things out herself.  She got excited, and hopeful I think, that her family would be there to meet her once we got to our destination.  She immediately began searching the parking lot, and I'm convinced she was looking for her family.  It made me sad, but I tried to cheer her up by taking her for a stroll and giving her some cool water.  But when a car drove by, she'd look up with such hope in her dark eyes.

We waited about 15 minutes for Ray, her new foster mother, to arrive and in those few minutes, Missy seemed to realize that she didn't know anyone in the parking lot, and she wanted to get back in my car.  I think she hoped we'd continue on to find her family.  But of course, that wasn't the plan.

Ray arrived and we chatted for a few minutes.  She needed to go to the pet store (one that welcomes dogs inside), which was across the parking lot.  So I let Missy go, and off they went.  I just know Missy was hoping Ray was taking her to her family.

Missy really tugged at my heart, so I was relieved when Ray told me Missy has a solid potential adopter -- a young lady of 24 who has already fallen in love with Missy, an older dog, just from her picture, and is anxious to have Missy come live with her right away.  Ray promised to update me.  So keep your fingers crossed.  Missy is a family dog who has lots of love to give, and it looks like her new family may be smaller than her previous one might have been, but sometimes a family of two is all it takes -- especially if it's a real love affair.  And I suspect it is.



Goober, Goober, Goober!

Linda hosted another dog this weekend.  His name is Goober.

He arrived on another Darlington Express Transport.  The history on these dogs is rarely known, and they can prove challenging sometimes.  If they've never had a home, or are always kept outside, they lack all training in the manners of living inside.  Such was the case with Goober.  So Linda had her hands full -- of cleaning products.

First off, Goober got a sponge bath.  Since he also enjoys belly rubs, he didn't mind much that someone was doing double-duty and cleaning him at the same time.  In fact, he probably didn't even know.  But hopefully, he enjoyed his cleaner little self afterwards.
Linda didn't report how Goober was on the leash, or how he liked his walks.  But Linda did learn this morning that he doesn't like the vacuum cleaner much, and he seemed puzzled when he watched her scrubbing the carpet.  Linda seemed to drink an awful lot of coffee, which Goober didn't understand at all.  She seemed to think it would calm her nerves, but Goober didn't get why she needed her nerves calmed.  Could it possibly be because she's a cleaning nut?  After all, that's how she spent most of her morning before delivering him to the next leg of his transport.

As for him, he was quite comfortable other than when the Hoover came near.

Despite this being one of Linda's more difficult cases, she and I both know that he'll soon be in good hands at Furever Friends in Rochester, NY.  And they will work to quickly get him trained on good homelife behavior, which will prepare him to find his "furever" home.  He likes people and is sweet.  He just doesn't know what it's like to have a home.  Hopefully, that will change real soon.  We wish Goober lots of luck on his quest!  In the meantime, Goober owes Linda a large roll of paper towels.

Yay, Effie!

Let me introduce you to Effie, a sweet terrier mix, who arrived two weeks ago on the Darlington Express transport, and had the pleasure of spending one night at Linda's house.  She quickly warmed up to Linda, who treated her to cut-up chicken.  No wonder!  Bribery always works with dogs!  But she wanted to follow Linda everywhere, and even jumped over a baby gate to be sure Linda was within her sight. 

Effie loves walks, and her little tail never stopped wagging as she pranced along with Linda.  She also loves her belly rubbed.

Little Effie was so fortunate.  After she left Linda's, she went to a temporary foster home, who had a boxer.  Effie fell in puppy love with him.  But this proved she'd be great with other dogs.  And before you could say, "Lady and the Tramp", Effie was adopted by a family who also has a small dog.  Hopefully love will be in the air there too.

It's so gratifying to hear these success stories.  This transport idea works, one dog at a time.  Effie is proof positive!

Dolly at Home with Linda

Dolly, who has a happy home with Linda, my friend who took up dog transporting with a vengeance and also hosts doggies overnight to enable them to catch their transport the next day, casts her gaze at the view off her deck of Linda's condo.  Yes, that really is Dolly!  You might think she's a black lion with her mane cut this way, but that's beautiful Dolly, looking stately and beautiful, as a happy border collie should.