Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 5, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, September 5, 2020 

Every now and then, a unique concept comes down 
the pike, expressed by an individual who had an 
original thought, and I just have to slap my forehead 
and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” For example, 
I spend lots of time trying to come up with creative 
ways to help resolve our clear-and-present pet over-
population problem. I’ve held adoption fairs, I’ve 
been on board with animal advocacy groups, foster 
& rescue organizations and animal welfare campaigns, and I donate to those I deem legitimate and worthy. 
I’ve shared strong sentiments in this column, about the importance of spaying and neutering, and I soap-
box on topics such as adopting not shopping, fostering and volunteering. I encourage others to appreciate 
and protect all creatures, wild and domestic. But there’s nothing new there. It’s what most folks do to make 
a difference for the better. How cool would it be to come up with a fresh idea that could bring about change 
on a larger scale?

That’s why, when 
I saw a segment 
on CBS News 
Sunday Morning 
a couple of weeks 
ago, about a guy 
who’s implementing 
an innovative 
means of helping 
place otherwise 
euthanized pets into 
loving homes, I was 
absolutely over-the-
moon! This creative 
concept was made 
manifest by way of 
a non-profit called 
Dog is My CoPilot, 
a remarkable 
rescue group out of 
Jackson, Wyoming 
who make it their 
mission to collect 
and relocate dogs-
at-risk, via air travel, 
to various places in 
the US where they 
will be accepted 
with open arms and 
adopted into forever 
loving homes.

Dr. Peter Rork (or 
just plain Peter, 
as he prefers to 
be called), founder of Dog is My CoPilot, is a retired orthopedic surgeon with tons of talent and a warm, 
welcoming willingness to share those talents for the greater good. Most importantly (to me), he’s an avid 
animal lover. That being said, he also has a great sense of humor, he’s super friendly and in my opinion, a total 
down-to-earther. Oh, by the way, did I say he’s an acclaimed pilot with a Cessna Caravan that COULD seat 14 
humans, but he’d rather use it to transport 150 would-be forgotten death-row dogs to areas where they will 
be loved and cared for forever?

Thanks to the assistance of Kara Pollard, feet-first philanthropist and 4-year Executive Director of Dog is My 
CoPilot, I was able to catch up with Dr. Rork on the phone last week, and he was kind enough to afford me the 
opportunity to get to know him, just a smidgen. He’d just landed in Loredo, TX where he was scheduled to 
pick up 90 dogs from partnering shelters the next morning, and deliver the precious pups to their respective 
drop-off-spots in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming where they will be received by volunteers who’ll 
ensure their care and welfare until they make their way to their final destinations - forever loving homes. I 
get a lump in my throat every time I think about it.

I felt honored that Peter was willing to take time out of his very busy day to talk to this humble, local column-
contributor, but I know he did it because we both share a common concern; doing whatever we can, to 
help give otherwise euthanatized animals a second chance at life. I’ll never cease to be amazed at how those 
fabulous four-leggers bring us humans together! I was most interested in what prompted Peter to take on the 
mission of flying state-to-state, saving at-risk animals. I mean, to me it’s a no-brainer that a guy would choose 
to apply his outstanding flying skills to assist in one of the most noble causes we face in society today, but 
that’s just me. I wanted to know what drove him to do it, and I hoped he’d allow me to share his story with my 
readers because I believe we can all learn from another person’s inspiration to do the right thing.

In his open, kind way of conversing, Peter Rork told me that several years ago, his wife passed away 
unexpectedly, and he was having a real tough time with the loss. One day a friend stopped by and encouraged 
him to get out and get busy doing something he loves. Well, Peter’s true passion is flying. He recounted that 
his first childhood book was “How to Fly A Plane”, and he chased that dream until he became an aviator with 
a perfect 50-year record and even became a teacher of aspiring student pilots in his region! Whatever Peter’s 
friend said that day, it inspired him to pursue a meaningful new mission - saving the lives of thousands of 
animals. But if you ask Peter, he’ll tell you, it’s the animals that saved his life. During our conversation, Peter 
repeatedly emphasized the theme that drives his mission; An urgent need to turn things around for the sake 
of the millions of animals being euthanized in our country, annually. It’s hard to fathom, in an ‘advanced’ 
society such as ours, that so many innocent animals would be put to death each year, but it is so.

Here in Sierra Madre, we have all 
our needs met and we are able to 
take good care of our pets. Other 
areas in our country don’t have it so 
good. That’s why Peter, Kara, their 
other 3 other pilots, their board 
members, numerous partners and 
volunteers offer their assistance to 
facilitate this amazing, life-saving 
mission. They go where the animals 
need love the most, and they 
relocate them to where they will be 
loved the most!

We all have unique talents we can 
offer to help make a difference 
for the better. First and foremost, 
please adopt and don’t shop! Be 
sure to spay/neuter your pets, and 
get involved. If you can’t take part 
personally, make a donation to 
help Dog is My CoPilot continue 
taking meaningful action. Missions 
such as theirs cost money. Visit 
their website at dogcopilot.org to 
learn more about this awesome 
organization, and give to a cause 
that is not only legitimate and 
worthy, but uniquely innovative 
in making a massive difference for 
the better on behalf of our beloved 
animals! Love and let live. 


DOG IS THEIR COPILOT


Sweet SIMBA

Friendly cutie, SIMBA, male orange 
tabby, born 2018. Simba has 
been in a loving home, but since 
the family moved in with a relative, 
that relative became very allergic. 
They say that Simba is just 
the sweetest boy! They’ve never 
heard him hiss and he doesn’t bite 
or scratch people or other pets. Please apply to adopt this little 
cutie. He’ll make you a wonderful pet. See more pictures, adoption 
information and application on our website at the More Cats 
page at www.lifelineforpets.org. 

Good news: Clay and his brother, Houdini, have been adopted!

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc


Pet of the Week

 
Toby is a handsome guy with a grin 
that can lift anyone's spirits. Just look at 
that sweet face! Toby is also an excellent 
cuddle bug. If you've had one of those 
days/weeks/years and need someone to 
boost your mood, Toby is ready to help. 
At eight years old, he's pretty cool and 
calm, but he'd love to be your buddy for 
walks around the neighborhood (and not 
to brag, but he walks great on a leash). 
He even looks great in a bandana, so 
get ready to be that person who wears 
coordinating outfits with their dog when 
you go for your walks!

 The adoption fee for dogs is $140. All 
dog adoptions include spay or neuter, 
microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

 New adopters will receive a 
complimentary health-and-wellness 
exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as 
well as a goody bag filled with information 
about how to care for your pet.

 View photos of adoptable pets at 
pasadenahumane.org and fill out an 
online adoption application. Adoptions 
are by appointment only.

 Pets may not be available for adoption 
and cannot be held for potential adopters 
by phone calls or email.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com