Charley - a Quickie

I received an email about a woman needing help getting an owner-surrendered rat terrier by the name of Charley to Sacramento.  There was a transport coming from Ridgecrest, CA (a hundred miles east of Bakersfield) and headed to Oregon carrying a St. Bernard named MonAmi.  At 8am, I met up with Charley at a grocery store parking lot and then we headed north to Bakersfield to meet the volunteer with the St. Bernard.  And here's dedication and generosity for you:  the transporter I met up with actually RENTED a car, rather than using her own, to be sure the St. Bernard would fit. 

Below is the email I sent to all those involved once I got back home.

Hey All,

Just got back from handing Charley over to Karla.  Charley rode well in passenger seat, just slept for the most part.  Karla and I agreed that unfortunately it was best for Charley to ride the next leg in the crate; luckily her car could accomodate the crate in the passenger seat.  MonAmi is sooo chill!  He's awesome.  But Charley wasn't much into him.  I didn't fear the Saint would do anything; I feared Charley might never stop barking from being so upset about MonAmi's presence.  Not sure if she was ever properly socialized with dogs, or if it was just his enormous size in comparison to hers that got her upset.  She just seemed terrified, barking and backing away, snipping in the air.  She didn't try to sniff his butt (and he certainly wasn't going for hers given her connipition fit; he just politely ignored her) or do any of the usual "nice to meet you" signs dogs give one another.  Then again given their size discrepancy, perhaps neither knew the other was actually a dog.

Once in the crate, the door facing Karla, she was fine, even if Mon Ami's giant head happened to sniff near her.  Maybe on the next leg she can be out of the crate, or perhaps she'll find it more comforting be in there.

Here's her in the beginning looking a bit scared, but she settled into the ride eventually.  Love the bat-wing ears!

-Stephanie.