URGENT!! THIS PUPPY NEEDS A FLIGHT CHAPERONE FROM NASHVILLE TO NYC ASAP!!! Rio is 12 weeks old, 18 lbs, and he needs someone willing to carry him in cabin (in a carrier under the seat) from Nashville, TN to the NY area ideally this week or next. If you or anyone you know are flying this route in the next week or so and are willing to carry a sweet pup with you, please email [email protected] NOW to coordinate! A volunteer's family member in Tennessee recently tried to adopt one of the beagles transported to Nashville from the huge Virginia rescue that made headlines nationwide. He'd never owned a dog before, wanted to help a pup in need, and sensibly thought that a young adult beagle could be a good match (with help from a trainer). When he arrived at the facility to meet the beagles, the shelter staff instead ushered him to a different section full of puppies where he was advised to adopt an 8-week-old Aussie mix. He felt unable to say no when this little guy was placed in his arms... but after 6 weeks of trying very hard to give this puppy what he needs, he is doing the right thing by asking us to help him find a family that is actually qualified to raise this animal. Every rescue has a different philosophy about how to place animals in forever families — ours is on the more particular side because part of our mission is to make sure we help our animals and adopters find the matches that will set up all parties for long term success. We're grateful Rio's owner can recognize that he's not able to give this animal the time, exercise, and structure he needs before both of them become miserable. We’ve seen it happen a million times, that’s one of the main reasons dogs end up abandoned: the owner didn’t understand the commitment required. He's heartbroken though — he shouldn't have been put in this position in the first place, and it's hard to watch him feel like he's failed. PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM! Please share! #puppy #puppiesofinstagram #puppies #rio #nashville #tennessee