Rescue Tails Sherman flies to Oregon and back to find his true home and name
2009 Apr 25
Sherman was a very handsome German Shepherd who had been handed around among foster homes for nearly a year and was now staying at a very fine kennel near Huntington Beach, CA, thanks to donations from many people in the area. He was so extraordinary that no one wanted to see him go to a shelter, and they were looking for that elusive perfect home and family for him. They thought they had found it -- 1000 miles away -- in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
So off we flew, trying to beat some bad weather that was coming in fast from the northwest. We flew over the clouds of southern Oregon as it grew dark, counting on the truth of the weather forecaster and Air Traffic Controllers that there really was a small patch of clear skies over the small Cottage Grove airport. "Small" was definitely true, "clear" -- not so much! We landed in rain on a dark and slippery runway, hurried out of the plane and tied it down, and headed off on foot for the nearest motel.
We had difficulty reaching the adopters by phone and were growing concerned about the level of their enthusiasm for adopting Sherman. But we did finally reach them and arranged for them to pick us up in the morning. We insisted on driving with them to see where he would live, before we would give him up. Boy, were we glad we did that. It turned out that the home was on a very busy, high-speed-traffic street, and the yard had no fence. Also, the enthusiasm of the rest of the family for greeting Sherman seemed pretty low. With one look to each other, we knew: NO.
We explained how important it was that there be a good fence around a yard so close to the street, and that we could not leave Sherman with them. We made the long flight all the way back to Los Angeles that day, and started over in our efforts to find a home for Sherman.
Not one week later, we learned of an adoption day sponsored by a german shepherd rescue organization in Los Angeles (Westside German Shepherd Rescue -- sheprescue.org), and they kindly allowed us to bring Sherman. We weren't there one hour before we saw what we had been wishing for. A man and a woman and their own older female shepherd "Kia"were there, looking at all of the dogs. The way they behaved with the dogs, and the responses of the dogs to them, told us all we needed to know about their hearts. We noticed that they were looking over at Sherman, so we headed over to them. The man took Sherman's leash, and the woman knelt down and held her arms out to him. And that was it. They adopted him then and there and drove him back to their estate in Monterey, where he moved in happily with his new girlfriend Kia and the humans to whom he had given his huge heart. He was given his forever name -- "Tucker", and the rest is very happy history.
Follow Our Flights!
You can track our paths for several days after them, when we keep our GPS "SPOT" transmitter on "Track" mode. For the latest flights, see
For our latest journeys see (Track our flights).
Read about our completed rescues under Rescue Tails, and our most current rescues under Rescues in Progress!
Some of our recent favorites include:
JEREMIAH has come home to us!
2012 January 13
His adopter called to say she had become ill, and could we care for Jeremiah? You bet we could. We rented a plane and flew to Arizona and retrieved him immediately. Jeremiah was indeed a true friend, and we aim to be his true friends, too. He has been eating like crazy and slept his stress away for the first few days, and now he's acting like a young dog again. Read more here! 
CHAMP found at the airport!
2012 January 01
A sad, scared but dignified young Champ quickly won the hearts of everyone who met him at the New Orleans airport, and within two days we had permission from his original breeders to give him to a young couple with a younger female boxer mix, all of whom fell totally in love with him at first sight! Champ and Miss Princess are leading the good life now, and Champ's new dad finally has the fishing buddy he wanted! They tell us we made their dreams come true. We think they made Champ's come true, too.
Abby & Dinozo -- Two of a Kind!
2011 September--2012 January
Orphaned brother and sister, rescued and adored until calamity struck and they lost their family. Orphaned again, these gentle gems and perfect canine citizens found love and adventure with us until we found them their true forever home! Abby & Dinozo came with us to Washington January 7, and they were welcomed warmly and immediately into a home. Read more here! 
Yo! Get a Load of Yolo!
2011 November--2012 January
Left in the cold, high in the mountains of southern California, life was over before it had barely begun for this orphan teenager.
Little did he know, his adventures had only begun! As of January 7, it's back to snow but this time with a family who adores him, and lots of fun and play in the Pacific Northwest!
Saving Scarlett -- Love Forever at Last!
2011 August--December
Found on the streets, teats full but puppies absent, a battle-torn very hungry pitbull.
Hardly that sought-after doggie in the window.
But after we brought Miss Scarlett home to love and food, warmth and stuffed animals,
we discovered a warm heart and sweet spirit that changed us forever.
Gunner and Cain - A Very, Very Long Journey Home and the Happiest Reunion Ever!
2011 July--September 29, A Joyful Reunion At Last!
Here they are during their flight with four other dogs Sep 29 (New Orleans to Oakland, CA, fuel stop in Roswell, NM). .JPG)
And here's a photo from the happiest reunion ever!
More photos and updated videos here!
Ten dogs from death row to Canada!
Sheba-Cosette - this lovely lady waited a lifetime!
(2011 June) 
Jeremiah - a true friend finds a new lease on life!
(2011 May) 
Two Giant Dogs & three cats reunited with their family on Whidbey Island, WA
(2011 April)
Chihuahuas "Betty" & "JellyBean" fly to their rescue in Bremerton, WA!
(2011 April)
New Year's Rescue: 33 dogs & cats are flown to rescue in the Pacific Northwest!
(2011 January)
Hounds fending for themselves for years in Alabama fly to rescue in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
Romo & Stanley are flown to safe havens in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
NEWS!
Pellie Lou!
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2012
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2011
OIL:
Fri Dec 30
Tue Dec 20
Fri Dec 09
Sat Nov 12
Sun Sep 25
Wed Sep 21
Tue Sep 13 - USCG
Sun Sep 11
Sat Sep 10
Wed Sep 07
Tue Aug 30
Thu-Fri Aug 25-26
Fri Aug 19
Fri Jul 01
Thu Jun 16
Sat May 14
Fri May 06
Thu Apr 21
Sat Mar 26
Wed Mar 23
Tue Mar 22
Mon Mar 21
Sun Mar 20
Sat Mar 19
Fri Mar 18
2011 Sep 25, Sunday
2011 Sep 15, Thursday
2011 Sep 11, Sunday
2011 June
Humpback Whales!
Our Gift for YOU for 2011!
Click Here to Smile
from your heart, out! 
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2010
Galapagos Veterinary Support
Galapagos vets do much with little,
thanks to true friends who shipped a TON of supplies and meds from the U.S. in June, 2011.
Alabama
2011 April --
“Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe.”
-Albert Schweitzer
