Adrienne was just 24 hours from being euthanised when Paul flew to her rescue. (Picture: SWNS)

When things get tough, remember that there are still good people in this world.

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People like Paul Steklenski, a 45-year-old pilot and former tank trainer who now runs an animal rescue charity, called Flying Fur Animal Rescue.

When he heard about Adrienne, a poorly dog who was set to be euthanised in 24 hours time, Paul stopped at nothing to save her life, flying 750 miles to rescue her in time.

Adrienne, two, had been taken off the streets and put in Granville County Animal Shelter, a kill shelter, after a suspected case of abuse had left her with a severe bladder prolapse.




She was scared, lonely, and in desperate need of surgery – which the shelter couldn’t afford.

Poor Adrienne is suspected to be a victim of abuse. (Picture: SWNS)

‘She has faced a big trauma,’ said Animals R Family founder, Nicole Bruck, said.

‘The disturbing thing is that things like this are unusual in females and it is possible she was trying to give birth when she was injured, or that she was raped by a human.

‘Something large ripped out from inside her with force.’

She had a severe bladder prolapse, thought t be a result of rape by a human or a traumatic birth. (Picture: SWNS)

A rescue charity that works with Paul, Animals R Family, was alerted to Adrienne’s condition, with a note that if the surgery couldn’t be sorted out soon, the dog would be put down within 24 hours.

The charity agreed to fund the $1,500 (£1,115) surgery needed to save Adrienne’s life, but, just to add another challenge to the matter, they needed to get the dog from Granville County Animal Shelter in North Carolina to a vet in Stamford, Connecticut, who had agreed to do the treatment for a lower price.

Paul knew he needed to step in.

Pilot Paul Steklenski bought a plane a few years ago so he could help dogs in need. (Picture: SWNS)

He’d bought a plane back in 2013 specifically so he could journey to rescue dogs, and cases like Adrienne’s are exactly why he’s invested thousands in learning to fly and making trips.

He flew from his home in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, to North Carolina, where he popped Adrienne in the front seat and flew her back to Westchester, New York. That’s a 750 mile round trip, FYI.

Oh, and just to make that trip even more worthwhile, Paul managed to take 13 other abandoned dogs along with him for the ride. A round of applause for this guy, please.

He flew 750 miles to save her from euthanisation. (Picture: SWNS)

This Monday, Adrienne was taken to hospital and underwent surgery on her bladder. She’s now recovering brilliantly, with an IV drip and painkillers keeping her comfortable, and will soon be ready to find a forever home.

Don’t worry – all the other dogs will be found loving homes, too. They’ve all been taken to non-kill shelters where they can wait to meet the perfect family.

‘When I heard about Adrienne I knew I had to help,’ Paul said.

‘Animals R Family managed to get the funding for the surgery and I knew I was the missing link.

The dog was taken for surgery, and is now in recovery. (Picture: SWNS)

‘It was touch and go because her bladder could have twisted and that would have been fatal, but all it required was for me to save that animal’s life.



‘I didn’t think about it – I just had to do it.’

‘Adrienne was very scared and timid and gentle. She sat next to me the whole way because I needed to keep an eye on her.

She’ll soon be ready to find a forever home. (Picture: SWNS)

‘It was so sad. She was malnourished and all these problems. It was not how a two year old dog should be.

‘I flew 750 miles from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to get Adrienne and then to get her back to Westchester.

Thanks to Paul, she’ll live a perfectly normal, happy life. (Picture: SWNS)

‘I left at 9am and was in the air for six hours.

‘It was a very emotional rescue because of when was at stake. I was exhausted by the end of the day.

‘The trip was the difference between life and death but now, given the proper care, Adrienne will live a perfectly normal life.’

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