Fortunately, Angus couldn't understand the words. But he knew that he was scared and lonely. Three days later someone came and took Angus out of his pen. He was put in another truck, and unloaded at a different shelter. This one also smelled of lots of dogs and cats and antiseptic. But it didn't have the smells of death and hopelessness.

Angus was still lonely, but not quite as scared. He had no idea how lucky he was. Angus had been rescued from the gas chamber by Cheryl Routh and taken to Happy Hills Animal Foundation in Staley, NC. There the 3-4 year old blind miniature schnauzer was quarantined for 30 days to make sure he was healthy. He was given all his shots, wormed, given a heartworm test, and neutered. Then he was put up for adoption, both locally and on the shelter's website.

Over the next couple of months Angus demonstrated what a wonderful dog he was. He was already housebroken, walked great on a leash, and was good with adults, children, other dogs, and even puppies. He was briefly adopted by a local man, but returned when the man's other male dog just wouldn't accept him. Angus came back with raving compliments. "He's a perfect gentleman, great around the house, a perfect house dog. I wish I could keep him."

Meanwhile, Ardeth and Ellaine were looking for another miniature schnauzer to add to their family of 3 schnauzers. Their Jenny had died in October, and they were ready to welcome a new dog into their lives. They saw Angus on the Internet, but he was in North Carolina, and they were in Washington State. They had always said they'd never fly a dog, especially cargo, but that was the only way to get Angus to Washington. As the weeks went by, Ardeth kept going back to the website to look at him. One night, as she went to bed, she asked Jenny what she should do. That night, she dreamed of Angus. The decision made, she went about finding a non-stop flight from Charlotte NC to Seattle WA. When Ardeth contacted Happy Hills, they weren't sure either. They had never shipped a dog before, and the horror stories of what could happen to animals in the cargo holds of airplanes had them worried. However, this was an adult, blind dog, which had already been with them 3 months. Not the most "adoptable" animal. And it sounded like a wonderful home. Finally, they decided it was worth it.

Angus had a safe, successful flight to Washington State. And the reports coming back to Happy Hills were wonderful. "Angus found a place to sleep in bed where he could have his head on my pillow." "Angus has learned to eat poached egg from a spoon, and loves going for walks on the beach." "He has great fun playing with his 2 brothers, Joey and Fitz, and his sister, Pip." But the miracle doesn't end there. Ardeth and Ellaine took Angus to a veterinary ophthalmologist who ran lots of tests, including an ERG and an ultra-sound. He determined that there was an 80% chance that he could restore Angus' sight with surgery. Ardeth and Ellaine didn't hesitate. On May 31, 2001 Ardeth took Angus in for surgery. As soon as the operation was over, Ardeth insisted that Angus be brought to her. She sat with Angus in her arms until he woke up from the anesthesia. Angus opened his eyes.... and saw Ardeth's face for the first time. She smiled, he wagged his tail, and Angus truly had gone from hell to heaven.

Except for the guess at the beginning on how Angus was picked up as a stray, this is a true story. Thanks to the love of the rescuers and Ardeth and Ellaine, he narrowly escaped the gas chamber, traveled 3000 miles to a new home, and received his sight after a lifetime of darkness.

Click the links below to learn more about Happy Hills. And one other positve note, thanks to Angus' safe flight, Happy Hills has adopted several other animals out of state, including 2 more to Washington State. This has allowed more animals to be saved than could have been with only local adoptions.


Angus at Happy Hills, a sad, scared boy.	Angus, Pip, Joey, Fitz, and Ellaine in Washington

Angus at the beach in Washington	Breakfast treats

Dinner. Yes, food is very important to Angus!	Angus, with a big smile on his face