Animal Transport

Today I went back to the barn that was housing the white chihuahuas that were saved from the hoarder out in the desert (see the January 29 transport for details). They have been there for 2 days and not quite knowing what to expect from anyone. Today was their flight to freedom and I was there at the crack of dawn to gather the flock together. Well, they had other ideas. If you can image 15 white chihuahuas, not overly friendly, loose in a 12×12 horse stall with hay and what-not on the floor, trying to elude capture, you would have some idea of the setting. They kept going round and round and there was no way I was going to corral these chickens. Finally I asked two of the horse handlers for help and we slowly started to gather them one by one. Then it was finally over. All were safe in their kennels and ready to hit the road. I will say that this has been one of the more difficult capture and transports I have done in quite a while. All are safely on their way and next week we do it for the second group. What fun awaits me then.

Today I went to a shelter and pulled a very scared and not socialized little guy; it will take much work to get him where he should have been a year ago. This is what happens when a dog is just part of the backyard and doesn’t meet and play with people at all. This is a great little guy. He looks to be a year old, part shepherd and aussie maybe, but so, so scared. Who wouldn’t be in his shoes (or paws). I only hope the rescue spends the enormous amount of time it will take to get where he can trust people like he should. Time will tell.

I also was tasked with transporting 33 dogs that were part of a hoarding pack of 70 that came from the desert area. Luckily all were small and after two trips we had them settled in for the night at a local ranch. I will pick up 15 on Friday for their flight. The others will have to wait a week for another flight. About 20 had to go back to the hoarder as there wasn’t any rescue to take them. So sad. At least they are now fixed; but knowing the types that hoarders are, she will only add to the ones returning. Never ending. At least we saved most.