2010 May 14  - Mesa, AZ

She was not the biggest or strongest, but arguably the cutest of the four puppies desperately seeking a life with the help of Westside German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles, CA.  Susanne and Jerry in Mesa, AZ found her on the internet and recognized the dog for them.  They wanted her to come to them in a quick, stress-free, safe way, and they knew about us through some friends to whom On Wings Of Care had brought dogs in the past.  So the little pup formerly called "Landon" packed her leash and collar and paperwork and met us at the airport for the journey to her new life, with the lovely name "Maggie May."

She was not the biggest or strongest, but arguably the cutest of the four puppies desperately seeking a life with the help of Westside German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles, CA.  Susanne and Jerry in Mesa, AZ found her on the internet and recognized the dog for them.  They wanted her to come to them in a quick, stress-free, safe way, and they knew about us through some friends to whom On Wings Of Care had brought dogs in the past.  So the little pup formerly called "Landon" packed her leash and collar and paperwork and met us at the airport for the journey to her new life, with the lovely name "Maggie May."

They called us on Thursday, and we made the flight the following Saturday. The early morning flight out to Mesa was calm and lovely. But were we ever glad we left when we did, because the flight home that afternoon was plagued by high desert winds and turbulence, the precursor to a bigger storm that arrived Sunday morning.    Maggie May met us at the airport early Saturday, brought by her foster mom Janay and Janay's friends Janelle and Chris.  It was clear that these kind people had grown to love Maggy May very much and she them; their love and concern for her was huge.

Maggie May is a beautiful German Shepherd puppy.  Her feet are enormous compared to her body, as are her beautiful deep brown eyes compared to her face!  What a sound, intelligent, peaceful looking face that little puppy has.  We knew instantly that she was a special one.  She had the entire back of the plane, no crate, just leashed loosely to a tie-down at the rear so that she couldn't come so far forward as to interfere with any flight controls.  Even the leash was unnecessary though; she lay down and with just a few ear rubs, she went right to sleep.   Only when we began the descent into the  Phoenix area did she sit up and make a soft whimper; but a few words of reassurance and a head rub soothed her, and for the rest of the flight until we landed, she sat up, eyes alert and intelligent, aware and calm.

We landed and saw her new family and friends waiting excitedly at the gate with video camera and still cameras.  I lifted Maggie  May from the cargo compartment, greeted by happy squirms and licks to my face, and carried her over to the eager arms of her new mom.  Just a few words of reassurance and the loving arms of her new family, and Maggie Mae was smiling again.  The men helped me fuel up my airplane while the gals took Maggie May over to the grass and to give her some fresh water, and then we headed back to Los Angeles.

We continue to receive happy updates from Susanne and Jerry.  Maggie May quickly won the heart of everyone she met in Mesa, and they say she has remained beautiful and smart and the love of their lives!  (No surprise to us!  :--)  )