Rescue Flight: Urgent 2 Cleft Frenchies – KBDN to KLHM

On August 5th, 2024 I was able to scramble on short notice after I had an opening in my schedule to take care of this request posted on the Pilots-N-Paws website: https://www.pilotsnpaws.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=94788&p=448763#p448763


When I arrived in Bend, Oregon to meet with the owner who was sending them to the “Cleft Pup Brigade” in the Auburn, California area she informed me that she fell in love with one of the pups and only needed to send one to rescue – which was great!

French Bulldog puppy just a few days old.

The ladies working the desk at the Bend FBO were all “Ooooo’s” and Awwwws” and for good reason. This little guy didn’t even have his eyes opened yet and was just a bundle of warm fur! I can see why the owner wanted to keep the sibling.

Teeny, tiny puppy in a big airplane.

When we arrived in Lincoln and met the rescuer, Rachel, she informed me that since the cleft was only in the upper pallet and not separating the front of the mouth, the puppy just needed to be bottle-fed until the pallet closed on its own and it would be as if it never had a problem.

It was along flight from Carson City, Nevada, to Bend, Oregon to Lincoln, California and then back to Carson City at around 7.5 hours of flight time and 794 miles (690 nautical miles), but totally worth it.

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