Claire and I arrived home around midnight last night, after departing Charlottesville just before lunch (we had to have a delicious Bodo's Bagel). We slept a full 10+ hours the night before. We felt (and acted) so much better getting on the road and actually talked the whole way home!
It is a wonderful feeling to know that in just 3 days, we helped save the lives of 26 dogs. The lack of sleep, the heavy weight of responsibility that comes along with driving the dogs, and the miscellaneous incidents (i.e. diesel spills!) along the way, are all worth it in the end. The trip not only results in lives saved, but it reminds me of what a big impact one person can make in the life of a dog, the life of a family, and the health of a community. The impact of each saved life is unmeasurable.
A BIG thank you to the volunteers and staff at Shelby Humane who prepare these dogs for the long trip, at Greater Nashua who unloaded and cleaned the van for us (we were tired drivers), and at Salem for welcoming these pups into their shelters and finding each of them loving homes.
If you are interested in driving a transport, please check out SHS's website for more information.
As we get information about the dogs and their new families, we will update the blog (as I write this, my Shelby Humane dog, Honey Belle, is curled up on her bed beside me)!