Dog Rescue Transport Day! We Drove Sophie the French Bulldog Home

It's been quite a while since we were called into service to help transport a rescue dog, but this past Sunday that's exactly what we did for a little French Bulldog named Sophie. Here's the story and the pictures:

For over a decade, we've been volunteering with dog rescues to do transports, home visits, and shelter pickups if needed. Usually, it has been for Dachshunds and Weimaraners (because those are the kids we have/had). 

(Photo: Sophie in Katie's front seat)

One of the transport chains covers all small dogs and it's called "Weenie Express" (named for Dachshunds or "weiner dogs."). Transports for the express are coordinated by a Katie, who lives in Virginia. She uses a website to send out an invitation to all members who live along the U.S. East coast from Florida to New England. So, last week we received one and responded. Transports are always on weekends because we all work during the week. 

(Photo: Tom wheeling Sophie, in her crate, to our pickup truck for a drive to Baltimore)

There were 2 French Bulldogs that were taken out of a kill shelter from Jacksonville, Florida and were to be transported to Baltimore through a series of 11 different drivers. There were two rescues receiving the dogs. One was in Virginia, the second in Baltimore, so Tom and I only had to transport one of the dogs on our leg. 

Our leg was about 60 miles (each way or 120 miles) from Alexandria, Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland. That means driving around the Washington, D.C. beltway which is always a challenge, even on weekends. Plus, that day it rained and there seemed to be quite a few drivers who decided 40 mph in a 60 mph highway was the right thing to do (it wasn't).

(Photo: Rob in the driver's seat with Tyler and Dash in the back seat)

At 11:30 a.m. on the rainy Sunday, we met Katie, who drove from Fredericksburg to Alexandria, Virginia. We meet at hotel parking lots, or park and ride areas because they're low traffic areas on weekends and we can walk the dogs, give them water and treats between car swaps. 

Sophie is 29 pounds, 7 years old, and a cream colored French Bulldog. She came with her paperwork, and a bag full of things. Because Katie said Sophie is "an escape artist" Katie put Sophie in a small cage on wheels and Tom wheeled her over to our pickup truck. The cage fit perfectly in the back of the extended cab, and Dash was back there to keep her company. Tyler decided that he preferred sitting in Tom's lap for the drive.

The drive in the rain to Baltimore took an hour and we handed Sophie off to Christal who was going to foster her for the rescue. The total time we were on the road with our co-pilots Tyler and Dash to do the transport was 3 1/2 hours. 

(Photo: Christal and Sophie. Christal met us in Baltimore and is fostering Sophie).

The rescue is K9 Rescue of the Eastern Shore (called K9-ES). If anyone is interested in adopting Sophie they can contact the rescue at www.k9rescuees.org