AFTLOA has always said that the sky is the limit when it comes to finding each Angel the perfect, forever home! Please follow Liam's Journey as he makes history by being the very first AFTLOA Angel to take flight to his new adoptive parents in 2012! :- )
Bella and Pip will also follow suit by taking flight just in time for Christmas to be with their forever families!!! Please stay tuned to see upcoming Blog Posts to hear more about their Journeys!!!
At the end of this Blog Post, please allow us to introduce you to IZZY whose life was spared because Liam's adoption provided a space to be opened for us to offer her a chance at a new life!
Bella and Pip will also follow suit by taking flight just in time for Christmas to be with their forever families!!! Please stay tuned to see upcoming Blog Posts to hear more about their Journeys!!!
At the end of this Blog Post, please allow us to introduce you to IZZY whose life was spared because Liam's adoption provided a space to be opened for us to offer her a chance at a new life!
Liam's Journey begins in a High Kill facility in South Carolina where he was known as "Smoke" an unclaimed/unwanted stray with a very large, visible "cherry eye" (which would require surgical removal). He was simply found wondering and picked up as a stray by Animal Control for no fault of his own. Liam was placed on "death row" once his time was considered "up" (after 5 days) and the shelter had reached intake capacity.
People often ask how such beautiful animals could be found just wondering and/or are simply unwanted when the reality of it is, this is a very common issue we continue to fight in the southern states. There are very few laws protecting animals and many people simply do not believe in spaying and neutering their animals ultimately causing the population to multiply faster than we can place each animal entering our rescue making what we do each day exceptionally frustrating to see the faces we cannot help once we ourselves have reached intake capacity.
We were in constant contact with the shelter to ensure "Smoke" would not be put down and finally spoke up for him in his final hour. He arrived to our home on August 3rd, 2012 thanks to the help of Rebecca A. for transporting him to his "temporary home" with us where he would be loved, thoroughly screened, and receive removal of his "cherry eye" prior to being placed up for adoption.
Upon our intake of "Smoke" (name chosen by the shelter staff for his paper work), we knew that he needed a new, unique, and more fitting name to fit him and his new life. We consulted with our wonderful Junior Volunteer, Bailey (12), out of Philadelphia to choose a new name for him since we continue to run out of names!!! Bailey's favorite breed of dog is a Golden Retriever so we new she would find joy in re naming him.
After some thought, Bailey finally decided on "LIAM" after Liam Hemsworth who plays a character in the Hunger Games and also after her favorite member of the pop group "One Direction"! :- ) We felt the name was well considered, is unique to him, and is very fitting to this young man's wonderful personality. Thank you, Bailey, for having a paw in Liam's new life!
Once Liam had adapted to his new name, our family, our lifestyle, and the rest of the gang, proving himself to be one of the most amazing dogs we have had the pleasure of rescuing, we immediately began making arrangements to have his "cherry eye" removed.
People often ask how such beautiful animals could be found just wondering and/or are simply unwanted when the reality of it is, this is a very common issue we continue to fight in the southern states. There are very few laws protecting animals and many people simply do not believe in spaying and neutering their animals ultimately causing the population to multiply faster than we can place each animal entering our rescue making what we do each day exceptionally frustrating to see the faces we cannot help once we ourselves have reached intake capacity.
We were in constant contact with the shelter to ensure "Smoke" would not be put down and finally spoke up for him in his final hour. He arrived to our home on August 3rd, 2012 thanks to the help of Rebecca A. for transporting him to his "temporary home" with us where he would be loved, thoroughly screened, and receive removal of his "cherry eye" prior to being placed up for adoption.
Upon our intake of "Smoke" (name chosen by the shelter staff for his paper work), we knew that he needed a new, unique, and more fitting name to fit him and his new life. We consulted with our wonderful Junior Volunteer, Bailey (12), out of Philadelphia to choose a new name for him since we continue to run out of names!!! Bailey's favorite breed of dog is a Golden Retriever so we new she would find joy in re naming him.
After some thought, Bailey finally decided on "LIAM" after Liam Hemsworth who plays a character in the Hunger Games and also after her favorite member of the pop group "One Direction"! :- ) We felt the name was well considered, is unique to him, and is very fitting to this young man's wonderful personality. Thank you, Bailey, for having a paw in Liam's new life!
Once Liam had adapted to his new name, our family, our lifestyle, and the rest of the gang, proving himself to be one of the most amazing dogs we have had the pleasure of rescuing, we immediately began making arrangements to have his "cherry eye" removed.
Through the help of amazing donors, Liam's cherry eye was removed on September 18th, 2012 and the surgery was a success with no complications! :- )
Rhonda Elhman
Pam Gillmett
Melinda Bell (Sawyer's Adoptive Mom)
Special Thank You to all of you! We simply could not afford to rescue dogs such as Liam without YOU!
Rhonda Elhman
Pam Gillmett
Melinda Bell (Sawyer's Adoptive Mom)
Special Thank You to all of you! We simply could not afford to rescue dogs such as Liam without YOU!
Liam just days after his cherry eye removal!
Once we had gotten to know Liam on a personal level and his surgery was a success, after some shares via Facebook keeping everyone on his progress before he even making it as an Available Angel on our main web site, Liam had gained interested from a Illinois couple looking to adopt a Golden Retriever to fit with their lifestyle. After seeing Liam and hearing more about him, they immediately fell in love.
Once the couple had been approved to adopt, it took some time for us to make transport arrangements since we have never placed an adoption off of the East Coast, but we were determined and after failing miserably to find a reputable ground transportation organization, we were finally in touch with Pilots N Paws who is a fantastic Non-Profit organization flying animals to safety across the US and proceeded to make arrangements to have Liam flown to meet his family in Indiana.
Through the help of Pilot Christophe, a date had been set as preparations for Liam and his flight were in full swing!
The night before his departure, Liam received his bath so he looked handsome and was clean for his new mom and dad!
Once the couple had been approved to adopt, it took some time for us to make transport arrangements since we have never placed an adoption off of the East Coast, but we were determined and after failing miserably to find a reputable ground transportation organization, we were finally in touch with Pilots N Paws who is a fantastic Non-Profit organization flying animals to safety across the US and proceeded to make arrangements to have Liam flown to meet his family in Indiana.
Through the help of Pilot Christophe, a date had been set as preparations for Liam and his flight were in full swing!
The night before his departure, Liam received his bath so he looked handsome and was clean for his new mom and dad!
Departing morning for Liam was a teary one for us... after such a short time with our family, Liam truly captured our hearts, but we knew that we had to let him go in order to save another in his place. We had his favorite blanket, his food, and his paper work ready, and just before walking out the door, we let him choose between two different balls he would normally carrying around in his mouth. Liam chose his favorite orange ball and carried it outside where he went potty, and then hopped into the van (he loves to ride!) never once dropping his ball...until he got into the van and then he had to retrieve it from between the seats! :- )
Upon arrival at the small airport, Pilot Christophe and his co-pilot for the day, Jason, greeted us approaching respectfully without pressure as Liam showed a slight discomfort and protectiveness by growling slightly as he clenched his favorite ball in his mouth (this was actually very funny to both us and the Pilots!). Pilot Christophe and Co- Pilot Jason took their time introducing themselves to Liam as they discussed the process with us and after about 10 minutes, Liam was giving kisses and receiving belly rubs!!!
Once Liam was finally comfortable and relaxed, Co-Pilot Jason escorted Liam through the building to the small plane. Liam trotted by his side never once dropping the ball in his mouth which seemed to comfort him.
Liam and his ball is the perfect example why we send a blanket and/or favorite toy with each dog so that they can feel comfort such as a child with their favorite doll or teddy bear when being introduced to new people and situations.
Liam and his ball is the perfect example why we send a blanket and/or favorite toy with each dog so that they can feel comfort such as a child with their favorite doll or teddy bear when being introduced to new people and situations.
Once Liam was finally securely harnessed and settled into the plane, it was time for us to say our "see you later" to Liam (we never say goodbye!). We were loving and calm to not upset him, and watched from a short distance as the plane got ready for take off. We heard a few whimpers from Liam and watched as he sniffed the windows and stirred a bit, he was obviously confused, but we watched as he finally laid down. It was bittersweet, just like it is with every dog we see off on their final journeys, but we knew Liam had a new life waiting for him with his new mom and dad, and 4 legged Hound mix sister, Alice.
Departure November 17th, 2012: This was it! Liam was off on his first leg of the flight from South Carolina to Kentucky where he would then be passed to Pilot Lloyd to make the rest of his flight to Indiana where he would meet his new parents.
Liam with Pilot Lloyd , new 4 legged sister Alice, and his new parents, Angela and Dan, after Liam landed just a few hours later of his departure in Indiana where his parents met Pilot Lloyd to pick him up and take him HOME!
LIAM in his FOREVER home!!! :- )
Please enjoy the below pictures we have received from Liam's first night home with his adoptive family, and the days since. We are sure there are more where these came from and we normally post individual updates on our Facebook Fan page.
A very huge thank you to Angela and Dan for being so patient and understanding during this process, and of course for providing Liam with a wonderful life full of all the love and attention he is so deserving of!!!
Sending our love to both Liam and Alice which includes tons of kisses!!!
Bailey, we hope it will make you smile to know that Liam was able to keep his name since he loved it so much!!!
Ms. Melinda, thank you for sharing Liam on Facebook where his parents happened to spot him!!!
And to the amazing Pilots of the "Pilots N' Paws" team, you were all truly exceptional beyond words! Your compassion and love for the animals simply glows and there is no questioning it that you all made this adoption happen for Liam! Thank you for your everything you have done, for being so patient with us and introducing us to the world of aviation, and for your continued support since Liam's Journey to help these Angels get to their forever, loving families!!!
Please enjoy the below pictures we have received from Liam's first night home with his adoptive family, and the days since. We are sure there are more where these came from and we normally post individual updates on our Facebook Fan page.
A very huge thank you to Angela and Dan for being so patient and understanding during this process, and of course for providing Liam with a wonderful life full of all the love and attention he is so deserving of!!!
Sending our love to both Liam and Alice which includes tons of kisses!!!
Bailey, we hope it will make you smile to know that Liam was able to keep his name since he loved it so much!!!
Ms. Melinda, thank you for sharing Liam on Facebook where his parents happened to spot him!!!
And to the amazing Pilots of the "Pilots N' Paws" team, you were all truly exceptional beyond words! Your compassion and love for the animals simply glows and there is no questioning it that you all made this adoption happen for Liam! Thank you for your everything you have done, for being so patient with us and introducing us to the world of aviation, and for your continued support since Liam's Journey to help these Angels get to their forever, loving families!!!
"NO REGRETS"
As you can see, it took a group of people working together to simply save ONE life. You might think a simple share on Facebook is not that important, but 1 share was all it took for Liam to find his forever home!
YOU matter, and YOU make the difference.
If you wish to get involved as AFTLOA continues to expand our efforts further, please consider the following:
*Social Networking -Every Share on Facebook counts!
*Fostering - we are currently seeking foster families within close proximity to current adoptive families who are able to assist us in the screening process of potential fosters. Please email with your location for information if you are interested.
*Donating - please consider making a tax-deductible donation
*ADOPTING - Adopting an AFTLOA Angel is the best gift you can give!!!
YOU matter, and YOU make the difference.
If you wish to get involved as AFTLOA continues to expand our efforts further, please consider the following:
*Social Networking -Every Share on Facebook counts!
*Fostering - we are currently seeking foster families within close proximity to current adoptive families who are able to assist us in the screening process of potential fosters. Please email with your location for information if you are interested.
*Donating - please consider making a tax-deductible donation
*ADOPTING - Adopting an AFTLOA Angel is the best gift you can give!!!
INTRODUCING "IZZY"
Meet "Isabella" (Izzy) pictured with Sam, and Ashley Hill who provided her Ticket to Freedom by transporting her from the shelter to our location where we met her off the interstate to pick up Izzy! Thank you, Ashley!!!
Izzy is a stunning, young, approximately 70 or so pound Great Dane/Lab mix who was saved off of "death row" for no fault of her own when the shelter reached capacity.
She arrived on November 26th and we will have more information up about her hopefully within the next week and will begin accepting applications for her at that time! If you know of anyone who might be interested in providing a loving home to this beautiful, elegant, young lady, please share this post with provided contact info below!
Many Blessings, Love, and Thanks,
The AFTLOA Family!
Izzy is a stunning, young, approximately 70 or so pound Great Dane/Lab mix who was saved off of "death row" for no fault of her own when the shelter reached capacity.
She arrived on November 26th and we will have more information up about her hopefully within the next week and will begin accepting applications for her at that time! If you know of anyone who might be interested in providing a loving home to this beautiful, elegant, young lady, please share this post with provided contact info below!
Many Blessings, Love, and Thanks,
The AFTLOA Family!
Special Thanks to everyone again for your continued LOVE and SUPPORT!!! We love you all!!!
EMAIL: AFTLOAnimals@aol.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AFTLOAPetRescue
EMAIL: AFTLOAnimals@aol.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AFTLOAPetRescue
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