Medical experts had delivered the grim news that her time was limited, leaving her with just a short span to cherish. To ensure the remaining moments of her life were steeped in tenderness and nurturing, a pilot undertook a 400-mile journey to unite her with her adoptive family.
Meet Ashlyn, a senior canine residing in a shelter in North Carolina, whose days were growing tougher. The ordeal of shedding substantial weight was compounded by a diagnosis of sarcomas – cancerous growths lurking beneath her skin. However, a glimmer of hope emerged for Ashlyn when the New England Humane Society (NEHS) orchestrated a serene haven for her twilight days. Answering the call, Paul Steklenski, the visionary behind Flying Fur Animal Rescue (FFAR), orchestrated a plane ride to carry Ashlyn to her newfound abode.
As the plane soared, Ashlyn nestled beside Steklenski, an air of melancholy enveloping him. Thoughts swirled that this might well be Ashlyn’s final airborne escapade. While ferrying young pups to shelters, an endeavor he engaged in monthly with cohorts of 15 to 30 dogs, it was the older canines that tugged at Steklenski’s heartstrings. He acknowledged that the seniors demanded extra compassion, given their heightened vulnerability during transit.
Initially apprehensive about the impending two-hour journey, Ashlyn exhibited a cautious demeanor. Gradually, under Steklenski’s gentle sway and a steady supply of dog treats, she unfurled, extending her paws in a gesture of newfound camaraderie.
Steklenski reminisced how Ashlyn nestled her head on his lap, a simple act that reverberated profoundly. This affectionate overture was the ultimate reward, emblematic of a journey that commenced in 2013. A burgeoning interest in aviation intertwined seamlessly with the adoption of a furry companion, melding into an inseparable tapestry of Steklenski’s life.
Contrasting pet stores with shelters, Steklenski observed a glaring divide. The staggering number of animals languishing in shelters jolted him into action, prompting him to channel his newfound aviation passion toward a noble cause. Ashlyn’s remarkable recovery owes much to Steklenski’s intervention. What was anticipated as a hospital visit now beckons a longer reprieve, thanks to her triumphant resurgence. Lander, a seasoned dog fosterer with three canine companions of her own, was aghast at Ashlyn’s frailty upon her airport arrival. A staggering weight loss of 39 pounds rendered Ashlyn a mere shadow, her ideal weight bracket being 65 to 70 pounds. With meticulous care, Lander commenced a regimen of thrice-daily meals and essential supplements, catalyzing a transformation. Ashlyn’s vitality resurged; she became more animated and embraced the company of Angel and Xander, who reciprocated with affection.
The Landers, initially uncertain about the duration of Ashlyn’s stay, now view her as a poignant reminder to seize the present and savor each fleeting day. Above all, Ashlyn basks in the warmth of their affection. Steklenski’s compassionate act of airlifting Ashlyn to her new haven metamorphosed her from a shelter dweller to a cherished family member, epitomizing his continued devotion to animals in need.
Steklenski mused on the unexpected journey that unfolded, a path of extraordinary gratification that has seamlessly become the focal point of his existence.
