We're not perfect. We try to balance what's best for the dog and what the owner wants. This is Mike's story:

We were contacted by a local homeless support group who were helping a woman experiencing homelessness get back to her son in Virginia. She was able to get on a bus the next day but couldn't take her dog Mike. We agreed to transport the dog to VA for her. Since we had a few weeks before transport date, we opted to get him neutered and fully vetted. We contracted ground transport most of the way with the last leg scheduled with Pilots N Paws. Weather wasn't cooperating, but the kind pilot and his family agreed to foster until the weather cleared. After a few days with the pilot's family Mike was reunited with his owner.

The pilot tried to stay in touch to make sure Mike was doing okay. The family had been quite smitten with Mike. He called me to ask if I had spoken with the woman; I had not and was not able to make contact. A week later, we get a call from a local VA animal control officer telling us they had Mike in custody, that the woman had moved back to Texas, and Mike was picked up loose in the streets with a panhandler - and not in great shape. We immediately called the pilot, and he quickly agreed to adopt Mike. Unfortunately, animal control had decided to press charges, and Mike was being held as evidence in a neglect case. The case was expedited, but it was the longest 10 days of the pilot's and Mike's life.

The story below is the pilot's note to us from March 28, 2025:

Forgive me. The past couple of days have been a little hectic. Even when you called yesterday, I was distracted by other things. I want to fill you in as completely as possible.

When we got to the shelter the adoption process went smoothly. While incarcerated, they found Mike had tapeworm and treated him for that. They were also treating him for the CIRCD but we aren’t sure whether he has it or whether they were treating him preventatively. We will sort this out in the next few days.

We failed miserably our first parenting test! Inside the shelter, we put a collar and leash on him. We said our goodbyes and thank-yous and took Mike to the car. He didn’t want to get in the car and instead Houdini-ed out of his collar and ran across a very busy street as an escape. I could see tragedy flash before my eyes - all this effort only to lead Mike to his death within 30 seconds of taking him out of the front door of the shelter! I rushed into the street, physically stopped traffic while my wife tried to corner him with the help of a fence. No luck. He ran back across the street (fortunately traffic was cooperating by this time) into of all places, the front door of the shelter. The staff was wonderful. They had seen the “great escape” from inside and rushed out to provide extra manpower- about 8 of them! They also provided us with a donated harness that Mike wore the rest of the way home. 

We were so surprised that he bolted like that. He was always so cooperative before. I think he was just stressed from his last few weeks, the excitement of being “free” again and nervous about getting in the confined space of a car. Anyway, we are both fortunate and grateful that it turned out to be a funny reminiscence rather than a heart-breaking tragedy. 

Before putting him in the plane, we walked him around in the fresh air for a while. He calmed down and returned to the sweet boy we were expecting. He hopped in the plane without a lot of hesitation and settled down nicely in the back seat. He was an angel the whole way, until, about 10-15 minutes before home, we hit some pretty jarring turbulence. Unfortunately, this caused him to lose his breakfast.  No biggie, we were prepared for that - the ride continued without incident. Soon after, we were on the ground back at home and Mike was clearly glad to be somewhere he recognized.

Again, we gave him some time in the yard and fresh air, then we took him inside. He clearly remembered two locations - where his food and water dishes were and where our bed was. He hopped right up as if he owned the place. 

The poor thing smelled horribly of urine and kennel, so we put him right in the bath. He was so good. We got him clean and dry finally and he went straight back to the bed where he settled down for a couple hours’ nap. My wife was tired too.

Before Mike, we had considered adopting a dog but decided against it. We live with my wife's dad who is 87 and has Alzheimer’s. We thought our hands were full enough. When we had Mike the first time, we were surprised to see how well he did with her dad and how much her dad liked Mike. It was clearly good for him. Mind you, her dad can’t remember anything that happened 5 minutes ago, so we were stunned when two weeks after Mike left us, her dad said out of the blue, “where’s that dog that was here? I liked that dog”. Suddenly, door seemed open.

That’s when we started looking more earnestly. Mike made such an impression that we searched the local shelters for a similar breed, and we even joined some breeders groups to learn what our options might be. The day before you texted me with news of Mike, I transported two mixed German Shepherds - a mom, who was pregnant again, and her 6-months-old puppy. I told the man to whom I delivered Momma to call me once the puppies arrived because we might be interested in adopting one.

I’m telling you all of this because I want you to know how seriously we were searching and what a difference you made in the lives of three people so far away. You didn’t have to rescue and attend to Mike’s health needs. You didn’t have to work to find him transportation across the country. You didn’t have to follow up with his owner. You didn’t have to contact us, and you didn’t have to work so hard to make sure he ultimately landed safely in our hands.  We are grateful to you beyond our capacity to express it.

Next time when you’re having a bad day, remember us. The work you do is so important to animals and humans alike. And rest assured, all is well in Mike’s world. 

God bless you and your mission.