Southwest Employess Saves The Life Of Fourteen Dogs Slated For Death... A Real Life Pay It Forward Story

Online, May 27, 2011 (Newswire.com) - WHAT: On Saturday, May 28, there will be a reunion of all fourteen rescued dogs and the amazing team of people that helped in the rescue, including Southwest Airlines employee Richard Wachowski, who started it all. Richard will return to Sacramento to meet all the dogs that were rescued, as well the people he inspired.
Adding to the happy ending....Richard and his partner will be picking up two of the dogs and giving them a forever home.

WHO: Fourteen "bait" dogs saved from death and the "pay it forward" helpers that made the rescue possible, including: Southwest Airlines employee Richard Wachowski; Southwest Airlines; Blue Ravine Animal Hospital; and numerous volunteers who have donated their time and money to transport and care for these dogs in need.

WHEN: Saturday May 28, 2:00pm- 4:00pm

WHERE: The Grace Foundation of Northern California, 5800 Latigo Lane El Dorado Hills CA 95762

CONTACT: Beth DeCaprio The Grace Foundation (916) 396-2768 or (916)941-0800. Email beth@thegracefoundationofnorcal.org Visit Grace website at:[/url]
Please come out and cover this amazing story and be part of inspiring others to 'Pay It Forward' and make a difference.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AN ACT OF KINDNESS STARTS A CHAIN REACTION THAT RESULTS IN THE RESCUE OF FOURTEEN DOGS

El Dorado Hills, CA - Southwest Airlines employee Richard Wachowski's good deed is still making a difference and saving lives. Richard had no idea the ripple effect his "good deed" would have and how many dogs would be saved by his act of kindness.

The story began when Southwest Airlines customer service representative Richard Wachowski took a call from Beth DeCaprio, Executive Director of The Grace Foundation, an animal rescue and rehabilitation facility located in El Dorado Hills, California.

Beth was trying to find a way to transport six dogs from Southern California to the Grace Foundation facility in Northern California. Beth called Southwest Airlines and was told that regulations would not allow for more than 2 dogs per passenger, but was referred to the customer service department. That is when the luck changed for these tiny dogs. On the other end of the phone was customer service representative and fellow dog lover, Richard Wachowski.

After hearing Richard the story of the dogs, Richard confirmed that is was not possible to travel with more than two dogs per person. However, he had another idea and, through his tears, told Beth, "I am going to fly to Burbank tomorrow and help you fly the dogs to safety." He immediately booked two tickets to Burbank, one for Beth and one for him, to help bring these dogs to safety in Sacramento on his day off!

Southwest Airlines also came to the rescue by waiving the $450.00 in travel fees for the dogs and donating three soft-sided carriers for the dogs.

Richard's selfless act inspired others to step up and help. One of these people is Dave Brown, whose wife also works for Southwest Airlines. When Dave found out about what Richard had done and heard about more dogs from the "bait" group that would soon be euthanized, Dave jumped on the next plane and picked up two dogs. This "bait" group in need of rescue also included a mom with her litter of five puppies that a Grace Foundation volunteer, Ginger Swagerty, inspired by Richard's efforts, drove to LA to bring to safety at The Grace Foundation ranch.

Southwest Airlines and all of the people in the community are not the only ones inspired by Richard's good deed, UC Davis Veterinary Hospital's community outreach department and Blue Ravine Animal Hospital in Folsom have also stepped up to help with some of the cost of the medical care.

"Sometimes it just takes one random act of kindness to inspire others to do the same," says Beth DeCaprio, Executive Director of The Grace Foundation. Because of Richard, not only are the six dogs he picked up safe, but he inspired an entire community to pull together to help these dogs and eight others.

The dogs have an uphill battle ahead of them. One of the dogs, Hanna Grace, a tiny one year old Chihuahua, has a leg that is broken in three places that will need to be amputated. Another terrier mix pup will need to have surgery to repair his broken pelvic and hip bones. Other dogs have minor medical problems, but all are expected to survive.

On Saturday MAY 28TH part of the story becomes a HAPPILY EVER AFTER. Richard Wachowski will return to Sacramento with his partner to adopt two of the dogs and take them back to Dallas. Richard will get to see all fourteen dogs and meet the people that he inspired.

Please come out and share this amazing story...inspiring others to 'pay it forward' and make a difference.

Please contact: Beth DeCaprio (916) 396-2768 or (916) 941-0800, beth@thegracefoundationofnorcal.org

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