No matter who you are, your first plane ride is an exciting experience. You might be nervous or scared at times, but there's something about a journey that brings out the magic in your surroundings. Now imagine how magical that experience must seem for our ever-optimistic, wholesome four-legged friends. A Very Good Boy named Woody got to feel just that during a very special plane ride, one toward his future.
Woody is a 5-year-old Great Pyrenees. He was found on the streets of North Carolina in bad shape. The poor pup had mange, heartworm, and other problems that would require a great deal of money to correct. When Woody was brought into a shelter, his condition was thought to be so hopeless that he was scheduled to be euthanized. Luckily, the good people of LaMancha Animal Rescue in Unionville, Pennsylvania, were ready to take Woody in. There was just one tiny obstacle — getting Woody there. Enter Paul Steklenski and Flying Fur Animal Rescue, which would treat Woody to a plane ride to his new life.
Woody was in bad shape.
Poor Woody had a whole bunch of medical issues that were going to cost a pretty penny to treat. While a North Carolina shelter felt there was no future left for the pooch, the staff at LaMancha Animal Rescue in Unionville, Pennsylvania, thought they could save him.
Paul Steklenski got wind of Woody's story and stepped in to help. Paul is the founder of Flying Fur Animal Rescue.
Paul has transported over 1,000 animals over the past three years with his airplane. He got the idea after rescuing his own dog, Tessa. He told the Dodo, "At the time, I was completing my airman’s certificate and adopting Tessa, and it just all came together and made sense. You realize the airplane is a really efficient way to move a lot of animals hundreds of miles in a short amount of time to get them off death row."
Paul was transporting four other dogs on the day of his flight with Woody, so it was a tight fit. He arranged the crates on the plane to keep the weight balanced and left an open space for Woody to lie in.
As soon as the plane was in the air, Woody had some other ideas. He wanted to check out the plane from a different perspective. So he got a little closer.
Next thing Paul knew, Woody was right behind the passenger seat, smiling at Paul and a cameraman working on a documentary about Paul's work with Flying Fur Animal Rescue.
Woody's sudden desire to be close to people had its benefits for Paul, too. He was dealing with stressful conditions, flying up the East Coast during a week that was full of unpredictable weather. Woody helped him keep his calm under pressure.
All the excitement was enough to tire Woody out. He enjoyed watching the clouds go by from his newly claimed spot, then decided to take a nap.
Woody's condition started improving thanks to the care of those at LaMancha Animal Rescue. After a short time in their care, his coat regained its white fluffiness, and he was gaining weight.
Paul got to visit Woody just two weeks after their flight. He was happy to see Woody was doing great.
Woody was happy to see Paul. It was like the rush and excitement of their special flight all over again.
Woody still has a way to go with various treatments before he's 100%, but you wouldn't know it from his playful demeanor.
It's amazing for everyone involved to see how much progress Woody has made when just weeks ago, his life was considered all but over.
This story has an extra-special happy ending because not only did Woody make it to LaMancha, he also found a forever home!
The world is a more magical place when we see it through an animal's eyes. After all the pain Woody had been through, he still had love in his heart, something we can all learn from.
