Ed. Note: In our January 2008 issue of Change, Jennifer
Rowan wrote a brief synopsis about her experiences with evacuating
animals that appeared on our Your Personal Change page. In this
story, she gives us more detail, and introduces us to the two women
pilots who played a big part in the rescue missions.
At 10,000 feet, Juliet, her crew and cargo are not moving
at the speed of light, but they are well on their way to safely
delivering whatever the cargo load of the day may be. “Just on
Time Delivery” is the motto of Dodson International Air, but
it’s more than just that.
“50 Juliet” (as we fondly refer to her) is a DC-3/C-47 and
filled with history; from transporting GI’s in World War II,
to delivering animals to safety across the United States after
Hurricane Seasons 2004 and 2005. This antique beauty is also
used to train pilots whose dream is to fly this type of aircraft.
Currently on staff at Dodson International Air are two of the
very few women in the states licensed to fly this moving piece of history.
I’m familiar with this particular plane, as I had the honor
of coordinating the life-saving animal airlifts, quite often from
many different areas of the country. In all, eleven magical flights
transpired with 50 Juliet, moving nearly 3,000 animals into the
loving arms of pre-approved rescue organizations and animal
shelters from sea to shining sea.
In November of 2005, I became the official “Animal Flight
Attendant.” A fan of flying and adventure from way back, I
was about to embark on a journey the likes of which I could
never imagine, safely at the hands of Pilot Sheila Mabbitt and
Co-Pilot Meradeth Guthrie. They were both trained to fly the
DC-3/C-47 by Ron Tallent, owner of Dodson International Air
in Morristown, Tennessee. His daughter, Teri Gaddy, was the
dispatcher involved in the rescue missions. We were on our way
from Dothan, Alabama to Napoleon, Ohio, with nearly 100
adorable evacuees onboard.
I will never be able to aptly describe the rush of peace and hope I felt that day when we took off. As if the energy and joy of the
animals wasn’t enough, the friendships that were about to be built
with the crew were priceless. I now call them my “Flying Family.”
After take-off, I moved about the plane to ensure the animals were
okay and was promptly rewarded with the sight of them curled up
in sunbeams streaming through the windows, napping contentedly.
Having not slept myself for nearly two days, I took a seat and slept
for a solid half hour. That sleep was not without dreams, however. I
dreamt of solders in uniform. It was as if the 50 Juliet was welcoming
me into her cargo hold by sharing her historical life-saving work with
me. It was unforgettable and quite moving.
When we landed in Ohio, we were greeted by throngs of animal
lovers and slews of reporters wishing to tell our story. The energy
of this group of people completely rejuvenated me, as we carefully
unloaded our excited cargo. After completing several interviews, I
stepped away from the crowd to have a quiet moment of awe at what
had been accomplished that day; each of the pets had been through
such trauma. Overcome with the emotion of the entire day, I wept.
Captain Sheila came over and comforted me, while gently guiding
me to make the next flight, so I wouldn’t miss my commercial flight
to my next adventure. Her quiet strength was immeasurable.
Using 50 Juliet, my “Flying Family,” and my now extensive contacts
across the nation, I plan to make more history. Due to a serious animal
overpopulation crisis in the south, I’ve formed an organization called
Transport Animals. Its goal will be to move animals to areas without
overpopulation issues, while working with Southeast Texas animal
care organizations to get better long-term solutions in place. Spay/
neuter and educational programs are the only way we will ever get
this under control. Please visit www.TransportAnimals.com for more
information.
In the meantime, Sheila and Meradeth continue to soar. Read
more about them in the sidebars that are a part of this article. For
now, 50 Juliet remains grounded, awaiting her next adventures. I
long for the sky myself.
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