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Relocating Zoey, Armed Service Family’s Dog

Relocating Zoey, Armed Service Family’s Dog

Zoey is a Weimaraner, the family pet of a U.S. Air Force family who was based at Okinawa Island, Japan.

Staff Sergeant Kevin Ruhl received notice that he was being redeployed to Minot, ND. Allison, his wife, and four children were to travel before him. Unfortunately, they were all set to travel from Japan to the U.S. on Delta Airlines, and Delta wouldn’t fly Zoey. The family had a friend, Airman Christopher Clark, who was flying United Airlines from Narita Airport in Tokyo to Bush Intercontinental in Houston TX, where he had a connecting flight back home to Florida for leave. United would fly Zoey on his flight, but only to Houston; the regional Embraers United flies out of Houston to that part of the Midwest would not accommodate a crate of the size that Zoey required.

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So: Zoey could get from Japan to Houston, but had no way of making it from there to Red Oak, IA. Where Allison and the kids had settled.

Allison came across Pilots N Paws before she and the children left Japan, and posted a transport request. Tom Bragg, a frequent and prodigious Pilots N Paws pilot (Beechcraft Musketeer) based at my home field, Pearland Regional Airport in the Houston area, beat me and claimed the first leg. The other legs quickly came together: John Davis (Beech Baron) out of Hicks Airfield in Fort Worth TX to connect with Bill Kinsinger (Cirrus SR 20) out of Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City OK., who had the home leg to Red Oaks IA Municipal to deliver Zoey to Allison and the kids. With no flying roles left, I signed up to collect Zoey at Bush on Saturday, 8/30/2014, board her overnight and deliver her to Tom at morning twilight Sunday, 8/31.

Tom (L), Zoey and John in Fort Worth TX

Tom (L), Zoey and John in Fort Worth TX and Tom’s Beechcraft Musketeer

Kevin flew with Zoey from Okinawa to Narita to fill out the paperwork and get her boarded on UA 2. Early that Saturday, I saw that the PNP transport request had received a last-minute reply from a first-time poster: It was from one of the Boeing 777 pilots who was operating UA 2. He had promised to check on Zoey in baggage/cargo before departing Narita.

I arrived at UA’s cargo facility at Bush just as UA 2 touched down (I had been previously assured that I could pick up Zoey there, having been listed as recipient). I was informed that there was a serious, possibly insurmountable, customs issue; not only would Zoey not be transported to the cargo facility, she likely could not be released directly to me. I explained and explained, called Allison, and was waiting for something, anything to budge when my cell rang. It was Art Harris, the UA 777 pilot, calling to inquire if Zoey was O.K. (he had my cell # from PNP). I explained the situation. Ten minutes later, Art showed up at the cargo terminal, fresh off a 12-hour flight, offering anything he could do to help (really got the immediate attention of the cargo workers). While we waited, we had a brief chance to talk. Art wants to get back into general aviation in his spare time, possibly with his son, and was interested in Pilots N Paws flights. We’ll talk again soon.

John (L) and Bill in Oklahoma City OK

John (L) and Bill in Oklahoma City OK and John’s Beech Baron

Short version: U.S. Customs finally agreed to release Zoey to Airman Clark, just as he needed to race for his connection. I sped toward the international arrival terminal, loaded Zoey in her crate and headed home.

Weather forecasts the next day were favorable through early afternoon. Tom boarded Zoey in his Musketeer and departed Pearland Regional at 7 a.m., connecting with John at Hicks shortly after 10 a.m. John and Zoey flew to Wiley Post in his Baron, connecting with Bill and his Cirrus around 11:30 a.m.

Bill (L), and John in front of Bill's Cirrus SR 20

Bill (L), and John in front of Bill’s Cirrus SR 20

Enter un-forecast thunderstorms. Tom had to set down in College Station TX en route home to Pearland Regional, and waited out the unexpected storms in Houston for a couple of hours. Bill had to divert and land at Shenandoh IA, just short due to unanticipated storms at his original destination.

Pretty much on schedule, though, around 2 p.m. Allison and her kids met Bill, greeted Zoey, and drove the girl to her new home.

Bill (upper L), Allison (C), Zoey and the kids.

Bill (upper L), Allison (C), Zoey and the kids.

Art, the UA 777 pilot, later posted to PNP: “That is great news. I am very impressed with everyone’s donation of time talent and resources. Great job guys.”

Allison reports: “Lots of tail wagging and crying when we were all reunited again. The kids are busy making thank-you cards for the pilots.”

Tom, John, and Bill: Bravo! Well done. You guys are the best.

Art: I look forward to flying with you/connecting with you on a transport mission soon.

Wade Roberts

(Images courtesy of: Tom Bragg, John Davis and Bill Kinsinger)

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One thought on “Relocating Zoey, Armed Service Family’s Dog”

  1. Jim Carney says:

    What a great rescue. This shows what can be done when great people work together!! Extra THANK YOU goes to my PNP friend Wade Roberts.

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