10/07/2025
The Long Road to Rescue: Joelie's Story
The call came in on September 3rd: a pair of stray Pitties spotted hanging around a farmer’s field in Tazewell County. The local Animal Control Officer (ACO) deployed a trap, and we, the team from Eye in the Sky Thermal Drone Pet Rescue, headed out to assist. We scoured the area, but the dogs were elusive, hidden deep within the fields and nowhere to be seen on our thermal equipment.
The first breakthrough came a few days later: a kind Good Samaritan managed to secure one of the dogs. But the second, a nervous brown Pittie, was too skittish and vanished again. The trail went cold for weeks.
A New Clue
Just as we thought the opportunity had passed, a new report surfaced. A brown dog—possibly the same one—was spotted several miles from the original location, near a grain bin just outside of Green Valley. We set up a dedicated feeding station near the train tracks where she was seen, hoping to establish a routine. Day after day, the station remained untouched.
Then, yesterday, the most promising report yet: the dog had moved into town and was being regularly fed by a resident! We rushed out and met Tanya, a wonderful lady who confirmed the dog’s pattern: she’d only show up under the cover of night, disappearing completely once the sun rose. Tanya graciously gave us permission to set up a humane trap in her yard. We set it, baited it, and retreated to a nearby gas station to wait.
Late Night Success
Like clockwork, around 10:30 PM, our trail cam lit up. The beautiful brown dog was at the trap, sniffing the air—but she didn't go in. No worries, we thought, she probably just wasn't hungry yet. We waited. The hours ticked by, the anticipation mounting.
Finally, in the dead of night, the camera signaled a return. This time, she committed. Success!
Now for the next challenge: safely securing her and getting her warm and medically checked. We called the non-emergency police line, requesting an on-call ACO. To our delight, the ACO who answered was our friend, Molly. Molly, half-asleep but fully dedicated, agreed to meet us at the county facility.
From Skittish Stray to Sweetheart
When we arrived, we carefully released the now-secured dog, whom we would soon name Joelie, into the facility's garage. She was cautious, circling the perimeter, still wary of the two strangers. But then, an incredible transformation began.
As she slowly gained confidence, she started brushing up against our legs. We took turns offering her gentle back and butt scratches, and she absolutely melted. The dog who wouldn't let anyone near her for weeks was suddenly soaking up the attention, leaning in for more affection. It was the best possible payoff for a long and difficult rescue.
A huge shoutout goes to the entire team at Tazewell County Animal Control for always going the extra mile to help these fantastic, deserving dogs! Joelie is now safe, and her long road to a loving forever home has officially begun.
