LUCY #136

#136 LUCY (Shepherd X) Little Rock, AR to Chesterville, ME LUCY #136, a 4 month old Shepherd X 10 pound female puppy was picked up in Little Rock, AR, by driver Jon D. Jon says Lucy was a super sweet little pup. She was rescued from a kill shelter and is now with her new "Mom" Lorrie F who took her on home to Chesterville, ME Arranged by Debbie B, AR Southern Dog Rescue Operation Roger driver Jon D 2/07 *************************************************************

PATCH #137

#137 PATCH (Catahoula Leopard X) Prague, OK-Fort Campbell, KY PATCH #137, a 5 month old, 30#, male Catahoula Leopard X from Prague, OK, was picked up by team drivers Larry & Tanya H and transported to his new home in Fort Campbell, KY, with his new "Mom" Karen B. Patch reportedly is a typical puppy. He was in a foster home for 3 months, is house trained and well mannered. While there, he lived with other dogs and cats and was a real love bug Arranged by Staci S and Dorianne S, Catahoula Rescue, INC Operation Roger team drivers Larry & Tanya H *************************************************************

SADIE #138

#138 SADIE (Shepherd/St Bernard)Hillsdale, MI-Branchville, NJ SADIE #138, a 6 month old, 66 pound, female Shepherd/St. Bernard puppy is our latest successful transport and was done by our newest driver John K within days of his coming on board with us. John picked Sadie up near Hillsdale, MI, from Linda P and transported to Scranton, PA. John says Sadie didn't want to get out of the truck. He had to enlist the help of Sadie's new "Mom" Timerly H who had arrived from Branchville, NJ, to take Sadie home. It wasn't so much Sadie liked the truck so much she didn't want to leave. Not at all. She wasn't so sure about this type of riding. She just realized Timerly was her ticket off this shaky, noisy, rolling, walk-in closet and she'd better take advantage of the opportunity to get off, that perhaps better things were in store for her. Buddy, John's Lab X traveling companion, did his bit in this transport as well. At one point when John got both dogs out to take a walk, Buddy decided John's ability to handle Sadie's leash wasn't enough. He took Sadie's leash from John's hand and continued to "walk" Sadie himself, leash in his mouth. John reports Sadie went to a loving family who lives on 14 acres and has two children with whom Sadie can play. Operation Roger driver John K Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:17 pm *************************************************************

LAKOTA #330

#330 LAKOTA (Alaskan Malamute) Phoenix, AZ-Linwood, MI LAKOTA #330 a Grey and White Alaskan Malamute, male, about 53# originated in the Lancaster, CA, area shelter. He was transferred to the LA County Animal Control for neutering and placement. He was then transferred to Diane with TARescue, Phoenix, AZ, for transporting to his new adoptive home in Linwood, MI, with Heather S and Linda A. Driver Merlin M picked Lakota up in Phoenix and soon knew he was in over his head in dealing with Lakota's needs. Lakota was extremely skittish, fearful, and unable to control his body functions while in the truck. Unable to deal with Lakota, he made it to El Paso, TX, where he went to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso. Unable to take Lakota in, the director, Loretta H, referred Merlin to another rescue/shelter. Team Leader Nancy R, was contacted and went into action to resolve the situation. The driver back tracked his route in an attempt to reach the new location but was stopped by a 26' length restriction sign. He was over 70'. With that facility closing at about the time he arrived, Merlin returned to the original location and arrived there about 15 minutes before it also closed. By this time nearly 4 hours had elapsed. Nancy arranged for Loretta to stay with Lakota until someone from the other facility could arrive. Merlin had to leave to make his next delivery. Lakota spent two nights at that facility until Driver Dale D and his co-driver could arrive about 5:30 a.m. to pick him up. Dale was able to confirm everything Merlin had said about Lakota. Dale met LOH Sue W and her granddaughters, Ashleigh and Maya, at a truck stop in Weatherford, TX. Scared of all noises, especially big trucks, Lakota dove into Sue's pickup front floor board and wouldn't be budged. At home she put him in the 10x10 pen formerly occupied by two other dogs, a large pup, Buddy, and a Doxi, Huck. Lakota quickly found the dog house and made himself at home for the next two weeks. At about 15 years, he is so comfortable in a doghouse or other small areas, he must have been a puppy mill dog turned loose to die on his own in the desert of California. (Sue's opinion.) On 1/31/09 Sue drove Lakota to Gainesville, TX, to meet the first of many 4-wheel drivers arranged by Team Leader Krystal M in cooperation with Transport Coordinator Tanya K whose team then transported him on to Michigan to his new fur-ever home. Lakota is docile and compliant once in hand. Getting a hand on him once he is loose is another story. Two emergency meetings of the BOD and all the parties involved has resulted in continuing efforts to resolve the matter. While this transport started out badly, the resulting pulling together of all of the people below should show the true hearts of the rescue/transport community. It is not about people. It is about God's 4-legged critters. Operation Roger Drivers Merlin M pu 1/15/09; BOD Dale D pu 1/17/09; LOH Sue W pu 1/17/09; Team Leaders Nancy R and Krystal M; Independent Transport Coordinator Tanya K along with 4-wheel drivers Sharla B, Dee R, Tanya K, Susi Y, Dorrie H, Jan M, Jonni T, Gina W, Revajane L, Shawna Z, Donna K, Lesley R, Heather S, and Keith S. Del 2/1/09 ************************************************************* We received this Email from Heather S 2/2/09: I would like to thank each and every one of you that assisted in lakota's transport. Without all of you, he would not be here ready to start a new life. When I picked him up yesterday, I just kept staring at him, because I was still in shock that he was actually here. We have a lot of rehabilitation to do with him, and I am taking it very slowly with him. I have just been sitting in the room with him quietly, allowing him to get used to my presence. When he is ready he will come up to me. Lakota is eating very well, and was quite hungry when he finally got home. My spare bedroom/computer room is set up for him, and he is right next to my bedroom so I could hear him if he started to have any problems. he only has had one mess in the house so far, I am sure there will be many more, but it all takes time and a lot of patience. he allowed me to massage his front paw last night. I just sat with my eyes closed, and rubbed his foot gently for about a half hour. He was so relaxed he leaned back against my book shelf, so he could still watch me if needed. He is everything I had hoped for, and I am so happy to be able to finally be able to give this guy a chance at happiness. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and Lakota's. I will have pictures posted on our web site soon of this darling boy. Please visit it reguarly to see more updates! www.fewstepsfromhome.homestead.com Heather Smith - President Few Steps From Home Animal Rescue ************************************************************* We received this Email 2/3/09: Monday, February 2, 2009 10:11 PM From: "Krystal McClain" View contact detailsTo: "ADOPT-Lakota" , "PILOT-NM/TX-Mark Bernstein" , "DRIV-IN-Shawna Zeilstra" , jayne23@neo.rr.com, "DRIV-PA-Kathy Schaffer" , bookworm1913@aol.com, "DRIV-OH-Carol Felkey" , "DRIV-OH/IN-Linda Martin" , "DRIV-MI-Lesley Reed" , "DRIV-MO-Dorrie Hummel" , "DRIV-MO-Susi Yust" , "DRIV-OK-Dee Ross" , "DRIV-OK-Sharla Braun" , "DRIV-TX/OK-Shelley Palmer" , "DRIV-OK-Ethel Washington" , "DRIV-TX/OK-Marcia Fanchin" , "DRIV-TX-Marian Jones" , "DRIV-PA-Lisa Gerlach" , rlewis@binghammchale.com, "DRIV-IN-Revajane Lewis" , "DRIV-IN-Jonni Turner" , "DRIV-MO/IL-Jan Marchlewski" , adopt4paws@yahoo.com, flaxmillet@msn.com, cdowd_postalpros@yahoo.com, "DRIV-OH-cszklarz" , "ADOPT-Lakota-" , "OP ROG-Sue W." , "DRIV-OH/PA-Wendy Tridigo" , wendy.tridigo@irs.gov, "DRIV-PA-Mary Ann Packer" , "DRIV-PA-Carole Rively" , gwilliams@dfi.in.gov, donnak900@aol.com, "COORD-OK-Tanya Kittrell" ... moreCc: caninecrusader@aol.comI know that many have already expressed their appreciation, but i wanted everyone to know that you truly are marvelous. When Tanya added 1 more and then 2 more dogs to Luke's transport you could have easily rejected the idea of taking on that many passengers. many people wouldnt offer that much of themselves, but all of you drivers did. You did what was impossible for any one of us to do on our own and made it possible. I think that this shows us with each and every successful transport just how much people can come together to make this world a good one to live in. You are taking the most "unimportant" members of society and giving them importance. It truly is the noble work that we all should strive to do more of. Thank you, for opening your planes, cars, and homes to 4 souls that were once thrown away. and thank you even more for doing it so joyously. It truly warms the heart to see so many people not only willing to give, but wanting to. Krystal McClain Operation Roger Team Leader (Krystals4Wheelers) *************************************************************

BRODY/KODA #331

#331 BRODY/KODA (Keeshond X) Aurora, NE - Merchantville, NJ BRODY, renamed KODA, a Keeshond mix, about 18 months, 50# male began his trip in Aurora with Driver Susan M. Arriving to pick him up, Susan was surprised to be met not only by the shipper, Judy H, but also by a reporter and photographer from the Aurora newspaper seeking pictures and an interview. Susan's two little traveling companions, Kelly and Tinky, joyfully welcomed Koda on board with excited barking (talking). All was well until the second night when Koda slipped out of his harness when taken out for a walk at a rest area in preparation for going to bed. He stayed in the area but neither Susan, two other drivers, nor could a state trooper entice Koda into grabbing range. The officer even opened up the back door of her squad car hoping he would jump in. No luck. They even enticed him to the door of the building with food but he stopped with his paws on the doorsill and wouldn’t move. Susan attempted to grab Koda’s fur at this point but he shied away. Having already called the receiver, Sandra C, and Operation Roger, Sue W, about the situation, Susan was feeling heartsick. Unable to sleep well knowing Koda was outside, she awoke when her own pets let her know he was near the truck. Slipping on her wet shoes and clothes, she got out. This morning Koda was hungry and responded to the food in Susan’s hand. He finally came close enough for her to grab him and get the leash and harness back on him. Susan said Brody's body language was "Ok. Game's over." We learned later Brody/Koda had a history of slippiing his harness. Something we had not been told to be on the alert for. Operation Roger Driver Susan M pu 1/31/09 del 2/2/09 ************************************************************* The following report is from Susan, the driver, and is found on myyango.com under Aunt Susan's Blog: Friday, February 6, 2009 The one that "ALMOST" got away!! I picked up Brody aka Koda in Nebraska last week. He is a Chow/Shepherd/Keeshon mix, about a year and half old. He is a rescue dog. His new adopted family lives in New Jersey and were eagerly awaiting his arrival. One dark night, I stopped at a rest area, after driving over 600 miles that day. I took him out for his nightly walk, and he slipped his harness and got away from me. There was snow on the grounds, and it was very cold out. He was all happy and excited and ran all around the rest area. Every time I got closer, he jumped away. Playing with me. He thought this was fun. Other drivers tried to help me catch him. I even brought out Kelly on her leash to lure him in closer so I can grab him, and it didn't work. He played with Kelly happily, but wouldn't let me get close enough to him to grab him. I tried throughout the night to catch him. I didn't want to give up on him. I didn't want to drive away and leave him there. I had a job to do, I had to get to my delivery in New Jersey for my trucking job. I called Sue, the founder of Operation Roger and left her a message. And I called Koda's new family in New Jersey, and Sandra just said she would pray for us she said I should try and get some sleep. I laid down for a few hours but couldn't really sleep. I heard my dogs Kelly & Tinky barking at him, as he ran and played around people that tried catching him too. He had his collar on with his tag for his new owners. Finally, at 5:30am I put my shoes on, jacket, hat, and grabbed his leash and bucket of food to try and catch him again. This time I tried a different tactic. I put food in my right hand, squatted down like a baseball catcher, and had the leash in my left pocket, and had my left hand open. I swung my hands around in a windmill type motion, around and around, and he loved that. He would put his mouth trying to catch my hand with the food in it. He was getting a bit tired and hungry also. He got close enough and I grabbed his collar!! Victory!! His demeanor when I grabbed him was.... "Game Over" and he relented. I grabbed his bucket of food and started walking him back to my truck. Again, he started going backwards and wanting out of his collar. I grabbed him with both arms, lifted him (he weighed about 50lbs), and put him in my truck. He was not going to get loose from me again. That was a nightmare. I was so afraid that he would run into the interstate and get ran over and killed. He stayed in the rest area and knew that I was there, in my truck. After he was back in the truck, he drank alot of water. He was very thirsty. He then layed down on the floor and slept soundly for a few hours. I was so relieved, that I could finally lay down and relax and try and get some sleep before I had to hit the road, for another 600 mile day!!. Sandra and I made arrangements for them to pick up Koda that evening, superbowl sunday, in Carlise, Pa. They drove about 3hrs to get there, and I drove all day and we met at about 11:00 pm. I listened to the Superbowl game on my satellite radio as I drove through the mountains in Pennsylvania. It helped keep me company and keep me awake. Sue, founder of Operation Roger, also said some prayers to keep me awake after that long, dark, dog chasing, then catching, night!! The following day, monday, I delivered to the customer in New Jersey for my trucking job. Before I went to get my next load, I had breakfast with Sandra at the truck stop in New Jersey. We had a nice chat. It was fun. And that is the story of Koda, the one that "almost" got away!! *************************************************************