Monday, August 18, 2014

Tuesday's Tails: Freckles and her Pups!

If you're involved in animal rescue, you know how important transports can be in saving the life of an animal.  There are many different transporting organizations around the country, each one like a "freedom train" of sorts for animals in need.  Dogs and cats are whisked out of high-kill shelters and passed - from vehicle to vehicle, person to person - across the state or the country to safe rescues and forever homes.

Since I am currently unable to foster, I think that volunteering with transports is the next best thing.  When we have the time and funds, my husband and I love to help bring homeless dogs to their eventual forever homes - it is extremely rewarding, and it's surprising how close you can get to the dog in such a short time (check out another of our transporting experiences here).

Freckles and her two female puppies were our latest passengers, and all three of them were absolute angels during the ride!  They were eventually brought to Ruff Life Rescue in Wisconsin, where they are now up for adoption.

Her name is Freckles for a reason! :) (Photo courtesy of another Paws on Wheels transport volunteer)

These dogs are a mishmash of breeds (most likely Shepherd/Border Collie/Lab); Mama Freckles is 1.5 years old, and her two little girls are about 10 weeks.  Before we set off on the road, we were warned that Freckles seemed very timid and scared - and sure enough, while she accepted scratches behind the ears, she was pretty fearful...she even wedged herself in behind the passenger seat and refused to sit beside us!  

Camera-shy and in such an awkward position!  However, she was fast asleep like this!

Toward the end of the trip, however, Freckles had warmed up and was giving a few shy kisses.  She seemed like such a sweet girl with a loving, mellow personality.  There is no doubt she is going to make someone a great pet!  The puppies, in contrast to their mama, were noisy and playful - as most puppies are, of course!  

This gal was the more outgoing and rambunctious of the two puppies...

While her pink-collared sister was sweet but subdued.  The girls were playful at first...

But they snuggled up together for a nap once we hit the road!

While waiting for the next volunteer so we could make the "hand-off", Jared and I got in some quality cuddle time with the puppies - can never get enough of those big bellies and puppy breath!  When I brought Freckles outside to jump into the next vehicle, she turned into a different dog:  She sprawled herself across my lap, nearly knocking me over, and proceeded to smother my face in kisses!  It was SUCH a sweet moment...kind of like she was thanking me for the ride and saying her goodbyes. :)  I was, quite honestly, sad to see her go, though of course hopeful for her bright future!

If you'd like to give Freckles or one of her puppies a forever home, please contact the Ruff Life Rescue to fill out an application.  Also, if you're interested in volunteering for transports, check out the Paws on Wheels transport organization.  Though there are many different organizations out there, Paws on Wheels is one of the most efficient and reliable!

If you're involved in animal rescue, have you ever participated in a transport?  How did it go?  Please let me know in the comments, and, as always, thanks for reading! :)




14 comments:

  1. We volunteer for a dog transport about once a month. It is a great experience anda great way to help. It also gives you some valuable insight into the dogs which can help with adoption. Keep up the good work and I am sure Freckles and her girls will find homes soon.

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    1. Good point - we really got to know Freckles on the ride, and it's nice to be able to provide her foster home with useful information. I'd love to read more about your transport experiences! :)

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  2. Hi Y'all!

    Good luck to Freckles and her daughters!

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  3. The head peep drives cat transports, and it's one of the most rewarding things she has been able to do in the rescue community, since we can't foster now, either. Paws up for getting animals out of kill shelters and to places where they can find forever homes! We hope Freckles and her puppies find their wonderful forever homes soon.

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    1. We haven't yet done a cat transport, but I'm certainly looking forward to doing so one day!! I am equal parts dog AND cat lover :)

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  4. All three are precious! Hope they find homes soon. You are awesome for all the work you do for homeless pets! Will share.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing. It really is the least I can do - I am always wishing I could do more. But transporting is definitely a good start!

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  5. I love Freckles' feet, she's gorgeous. I admire you so much for doing transports; they're so necessary (as you mention) to get all those deserving animals out of the high kill shelters. There's so many horribly ran shelters in rural areas. I think Freckles will definitely make someone a perfect companion. Will share Freckles and the pups.

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    1. Thank you for sharing, Jen! I appreciate your kind words so much...the high kill shelters are absolutely terrible, and there are so many of them! Especially in Miami, for example...I would love to just drive down there and pull a bunch of dogs to safety! Maybe one day :)

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  6. Such sweeties and love Mama's freckled feet :-) We used to participate in transports a lot, especially moving dogs from a local high kill shelter to city shelters where they "needed" dogs. A great experience.

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    1. Isn't it strange, how one breed of dog can be unwanted in one area of the country, yet in high demand in other areas? I don't get it. :/ It really is a great experience and super rewarding! Thanks for reading, Sue. :)

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  7. That's so awesome!! What a neat way to give back. I can't foster either, so I think I'll have to look into this! Thanks for sharing your sweet experience with Freckles and her pups.

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    1. Thanks, Emily, I definitely recommend transporting! There are tons of transport organizations out there, and they need volunteers to drive cats as well! If you've got some extra time and gas money, why not do it? It's a very rewarding experience :) And it can make for great blogging material ;)

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