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Pilots N Paws

A Christmas Miracle Flight for a Paralyzed Doxie named Sammy

From Pilot Scott Messinger:
 
PARALYZED DOXIE’S AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHT
  
It was early evening, and we were packed for the next day’s “routine” trip to Knoxville for The Blount County Animal Shelter.. And then the call came in.  “Do you know anyone going to Knoxville? We have a critically injured doxie in Rochester who needs to get to Knoxville for surgery”.

Sammie, bundled up for his medical flight

 
It was Diane Irwin from All American Dachshund Rescue. She explained that Sammy woke up and was unable to move. It appeared to be  a spinal injury.
 
I thought to myself, Id love to help, but there were 2 problems.  Rochester is 2 hours NORTH and we’re going south! (Already looking at 7 hours due to  50 knot headwinds). Our  7 hour trip had just turned into 11.
 
Heavy rain was forecasted for the following morning, so I told Diane that I had my doubts if we could even  make the flight work. We talked about  lake effect snow, cold air, and rain and icing issues, especially in Northern New York State
 
The following morning, we got a gift. A warm southern flow of air. High freezing levels. The gods were smiling on Sammy that day. We compromised,  and Sammy’s foster , Wendy drove 3 hours to  meet us in Elmira, NY. Elmira was down to landing minimums in heavy rain, so an instrument approach was called for.  We broke out of he clouds at 200 feet above the runway, so the pucker factor was high that day. ( pilot humor)

Sammie and his rescue friend

 
Sammys condition  was shocking. Wendy had him bundled in blankets and this dog could only move his head, but he didn’t seem in any pain. Sammy needed his bladder expressed, ( he was unable to do so due to a previous injury), so Wendy showed us how, just in case we were delayed along our route due to weather. We carried him to the plane in a drenching rain,  got our takeoff clearance, and were on our way south.
 
Sammys Story…..
 
Sammy is a very special dog. He was originally found tied to a crate,. dragging himself across the ground  to his food and water.
 A neighbor called Rescue, because his back legs were all bloodied and bruised, a result of just dragging along the ground for so long.  He had probably been hit by a car,  and his owner did NOTHING to fix his hind legs. As a result the legs had atrophied and had become totally useless.
 
Rescue had him sent to a surgeon in Knoxville, where they repaired what they could and fitted him with “wheels”. Sammy not only flourished with his new wheels, he went on to become a certified therapy dog, and had become a celebrity at local Children’s Hospitals.
 
You don’t say no to such a wonderful dog.
 
We  finally landed at Smyrna, Tenn , around 8:30PM, and were met by Bob Irwin, from All American Doxy Rescue,. The surgeon was waiting, so  Sammy went  off to the hospital.for his emergency surgery.
Diane called today and said he was out of surgery and his paralysis was due to a crushed disc. Surgery went well, and the doctor is hopeful for a full recovery.
  
Sammy sends a very powerful message of hope and  empowerment to sick children in the Ontario, NY area. One can only imagine the  smiles on their faces as he scoots around the hospital  room bringing smiles of joy.
 
 This time it was Sammy who needed help, and we  are proud to have been the ones representing Pilots N Paws for Sammy’s Air Ambulance Flight.
 
Get better soon, Sammy.  The kids are waiting!
 
Scott, PNP Pilot

Sammy gets the help he needs, hurry home little guy!

 
 
 

11 thoughts on “A Christmas Miracle Flight for a Paralyzed Doxie named Sammy”

  1. Nina says:

    What a BEAUTIFUL story. This is what Christmas is all about, helping others. Thank God for Pilots N Paws for all that you do. You are a group of amazing, wonderful, kind, generous, caring people.

  2. Jim Carney says:

    Scott,
    Way to go. Not only are you the dogs HERO!! You are my HERO and I know what flying into all the upstate NY Airports is like in the winter.
    Jim Carney
    Fellow PNP Pilot

  3. Diane Irwin says:

    We can’t thank Scott enough and Pilots and Paws for what they did for Sammy our precious boy. Because of Scott Sammy stands a much better chance of a full recovery, then he can head back to NY where he’ll be visiting the children again. Thank YOU Scott and Pilots and Paws!!

  4. michelle anderson says:

    …you are an angel on earth — helping those in need…
    Heavenly Father will certainly bless you !!

  5. wendy says:

    Sammy had his surgery and is ready to come home thanks to the efforts of Scott and Pilots and Paws. I can not thank you enough for helping Sammy. We all adore him and can’t wait for him to be rolling through our halls again. Bless you for all you do!

  6. Courtney W says:

    AWESOME team work!! I work with a small local dachshund rescue in MI and have been following Sammy on FB for a while now! This is truly what rescue is all about!! Thanks to everyone involved… Sammy knows what living life is all about!! xoxo

  7. Melissa Chenault says:

    You truly did a wonderful wonderful thing, and I would never be able to thank you enough……..Thank you for saving our Sammy.

  8. Amber says:

    I have been following Sammy’s story since the beginning. And cant tell you how thankful all of his followers on Facebook are. He had such a hard start to life and deserves everything life has to offer. And I am sure Wendy his mom cant wait for him to get home.

  9. Cheryl turner says:

    My doxie had spinal surgery at UT knoxville and make a full recovery. Loved reading this Christmas miracle. There are some wonderful people in this world !

  10. Julie Brown says:

    What an uplifting story! Kudos to Pilots N Paws and the people at All American Dachshund Rescue!

  11. Nadine says:

    From a doxie mom…Thank you for helping Sammy! What you guys do is wonderful!!

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