I finally got around to signing up for Pilots N Paws last week. Late Thursday night, I got an email about a possible rescue mission for this past weekend. Friday was the only day I could do it, but I thought there wouldn't be enough time to put it all together. 4 phone calls later, it was all set.
The plan was for me to pick the dog, a young Catahoula, up at a local shelter and fly her to Midland, TX (1hr 45min) for foster care. I started Friday morning getting the plane ready for my canine passenger. I removed the passenger seat and seat belt, then covered the seating and baggage area with garbage bags, then pillows, then blankets and towels.
I picked up the dog as planned and she seemed a little nervous, so I walked her for almost 10 minutes in the grass. She showed no interest in going to the bathroom during that time. I put the back seat down in my truck and loaded her in. We weren't even out of the parking lot yet, and she decided to pee. No big deal... I stopped and sopped it all up with an old bath towel. I then spread that towel out in case she decided to do anything else. About 7 minutes later (halfway to hangar), she poops! It all went on the towel, but then, of course, she tracked it everywhere. Then to complete the trifecta, we were about 100 yards from the hangar when she starts throwing up. Did she hit the towel? Of course not! She managed to hang her head over the side of the seat, so the throw-up went between the seat and the door... Ugh...
I tied her off to the truck while I cleaned it in front of the hangar. At least she'll be empty for the airplane, right?
It took a little convincing, but I managed to get her in the airplane. She seemed a little nervous, but she was asleep less than 10 minutes into the flight. She slept all the way to Midland and woke up just as my wheels touched down. I was taxing over to the FBO, looked back to check on her, and I see her heaving like she's going to throw up again. No problem, though, I have everything lined with trash bags and towels. Guess where she threw up??? In the 3 inches I had NOT covered! Are you kidding me? Really? I had a little area right behind me not covered, because that's where I had a few random things sitting on the floor. Unbelievable! Look at the pic 3rd from the bottom to see how she had her head, and you can see in that position, how the throw up got on my baggage carpet.
Even with all the "accidents", it was a very rewarding trip, and I look forward to doing it again! I learned a lot! I'm a dog owner x2, but I still was caught off guard. A little more time to plan would have been nice, but I will definitely be more prepared next time.
I'm not sure who's keeping score (Tanya?), but add one to the 7/7A group! Enjoy the pics!
The "first class" cabin all ready for it's passenger
You're going to make me do what?
I'm going to give you the evil eye until you change your mind about making me get in that tin can!
Get me out of here!
Ummm... I don't think I like this...
How did I end up in this thing with this guy?
Ok... Maybe it's not so bad...
I'm just going to rest my head on this can of carpet cleaner for a while...
Are we there yet?
Turning the dog over to the foster family. Can't wait to do another one!
The plan was for me to pick the dog, a young Catahoula, up at a local shelter and fly her to Midland, TX (1hr 45min) for foster care. I started Friday morning getting the plane ready for my canine passenger. I removed the passenger seat and seat belt, then covered the seating and baggage area with garbage bags, then pillows, then blankets and towels.
I picked up the dog as planned and she seemed a little nervous, so I walked her for almost 10 minutes in the grass. She showed no interest in going to the bathroom during that time. I put the back seat down in my truck and loaded her in. We weren't even out of the parking lot yet, and she decided to pee. No big deal... I stopped and sopped it all up with an old bath towel. I then spread that towel out in case she decided to do anything else. About 7 minutes later (halfway to hangar), she poops! It all went on the towel, but then, of course, she tracked it everywhere. Then to complete the trifecta, we were about 100 yards from the hangar when she starts throwing up. Did she hit the towel? Of course not! She managed to hang her head over the side of the seat, so the throw-up went between the seat and the door... Ugh...
I tied her off to the truck while I cleaned it in front of the hangar. At least she'll be empty for the airplane, right?
It took a little convincing, but I managed to get her in the airplane. She seemed a little nervous, but she was asleep less than 10 minutes into the flight. She slept all the way to Midland and woke up just as my wheels touched down. I was taxing over to the FBO, looked back to check on her, and I see her heaving like she's going to throw up again. No problem, though, I have everything lined with trash bags and towels. Guess where she threw up??? In the 3 inches I had NOT covered! Are you kidding me? Really? I had a little area right behind me not covered, because that's where I had a few random things sitting on the floor. Unbelievable! Look at the pic 3rd from the bottom to see how she had her head, and you can see in that position, how the throw up got on my baggage carpet.
Even with all the "accidents", it was a very rewarding trip, and I look forward to doing it again! I learned a lot! I'm a dog owner x2, but I still was caught off guard. A little more time to plan would have been nice, but I will definitely be more prepared next time.
I'm not sure who's keeping score (Tanya?), but add one to the 7/7A group! Enjoy the pics!
The "first class" cabin all ready for it's passenger
You're going to make me do what?
I'm going to give you the evil eye until you change your mind about making me get in that tin can!
Get me out of here!
Ummm... I don't think I like this...
How did I end up in this thing with this guy?
Ok... Maybe it's not so bad...
I'm just going to rest my head on this can of carpet cleaner for a while...
Are we there yet?
Turning the dog over to the foster family. Can't wait to do another one!