With hugs and kisses, tail wags, treats, and plenty of cameras and balloons, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley celebrated the dogdoption of two loveable pups Saturday:
Whiskey and Pluto-now-Jack, survivors of the horrific November plane crash that killed rescue volunteer Seuk Kim, on his way to Albany to deliver the dogs to the ASSV.
Mr. Kim wasn’t far from the conversation, but the attention focused on Whiskey, who’s adoption by Cyndy Ross of Middletown, Connecticut—a foster fail—was finalized.
Jack’s owners, Stephen and Rachel Clemens of Averill Park, brought him down for the reunion too.
Maggie Pryor, executive director of ASSV, said after word of the crash and the dogs’ rescue spread, they received hundreds of adoption allocations from across the country.
“We’re so happy with the families we found,” she said. “Whiskey, especially, as he healed, we were in constant contact with Cyndy. Photos, texts…I feel like he’s my grandson.”
Whiskey, a six-month-old Lab mix, suffered two broken legs in the crash; rescuers found him borrowed into a snow bank.
A puppy named Lisa died in the crash.
Because of the severity of Whiskey’s injuries, he was rushed to Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, CT for multiple surgeries.
He spent 30-plus days crated and is finally cleared for a return to normal puppy play.
“It was hard on both us us,” said Ms. Ross, a retired OR nurse who now works at Peiper Memorial and was his recovery foster.
The day Whiskey was released to adoption was a difficult one, she said, though she knew ASSV would find him the best possible home.
It turned out it was with her.
“When I saw him on that [surgical] table, I went right up to him. I fell in love with him instantly,” Ms. Ross said. “He’s a real love bug and never skipped a beat with my other dogs and cat.”
Jack, a 1½ year-old Yorkie/terrier mix escaped the plane crash unscathed; he wasn’t found until a day later when he ran up to rescuers.
The fact that he looks so much like a dog they already have is what caught the Clemens’ attention.
Like Whiskey, he’s been the perfect fit, traveling with them almost immediately on an already-planned vacation to Florida—where Ms. Clemens said, he loved the beach.
“He’s just a goof, a real sweetie,” her husband said.
Whiskey and Jack were both slated for euthanasia at a high-kill shelter in Georgia.
Their story, Ms. Pryor said, underscores the types of dogs available at Shelters like theirs.
“People think there’s ‘something wrong with them,’” she said.
Clearly not. And if they do need training, we turn to SUNY Cobleskill. Those kids are great.”
Seuk’s Army, a non-profit created in Mr. Kim’s memory, is working to bring mobile spay/neuter clinics to the South.
They’re also working to create pet food pantries, an idea Ms. Ross said she’d like to try too.
To donate to Seuk’s Army, call Sydney Gallup at (843) 714-8215.
Checks can be mailed to Seuk’s Army, 245 Abenaki Way, Piedmont, SC 29673.
Online donations can also be made through Zelle.