Blue Boy WURL
Calverton, New York to Cold Spring, Minnesota

By the time Blue headed out on his WURL, he had been through a lot of temporary homes. He had been given up by his original family because he was peeing outside the crate and they were frustrated with the housebreaking process and they found that he was taking more time than they wanted to spend. They gave Blue to a neighbor, who a few weeks later returned him because of the housebreaking issues. The family then contacted someone in the area that they knew, an instructor at BOCES, a high school/trade school, who worked with dogs, and asked for her help in finding him a home.

 He was taken to the school where a student there felt sorry for him being left there over a weekend and took him home with her. She lived with her parents and because her dad was not thrilled about having Blue there,  Blue ended up staying with an uncle for the remainder of the weekend. This man knew about WIN and started the whole healthy process of getting Blue to a permanent home by bringing by bringing him to Joyce's house.

Calverton, NY. To Wayne, NJ. - Joyce Rienzo - 97 miles - 2 hours

Joyce (the original foster mom) in Calverton, NY

On the day Blue left her for the Blue Boy WURL, Joyce left her house in Calverton, NY and made the 1 1/2 hour trip to Wayne, NJ with both Blue and another rescue wheaten called Buddy in her car.  Buddy's new family met her in Wayne and took him to his new home, and Blue was met by Lori Agnoli and her dog, Farley to continue on his journey.  Blue had been with Joyce for six weeks at this point...and as she said, "She was falling in love with the little guy."  

Wayne, NJ. To Carlisle, PA. - Lori Agnoli & Farley - 187 miles - 3 hours


Joyce with Lori Agnoli in Wayne, NJ

"This is Lori & Farley reporting, that Blue is well on his way. As Holly said, I arrived at 2:55 and Sue continued the trip, leaving at about 3:10PM.  What a cute, little (& I mean little) darling he is. Only barked 2 times a motorcycles. Got along great with Farley. He already has a new collar, leash, treats, toys, a bone and some other things being transported with him. Joyce even got a camera, so we are taking photos of him with each car license plate to show the different states he has traveled. The trip was only 189 miles, but with traffic, it took 4 hr 10 min going, and 3 hrs and 35 minutes coming back."

Carlisle PA. To Pittsburgh, PA. - Sue Curzi - 187 miles - 3 hours

Sue Curzi in Carlisle, PA

"A Update on Blue Boy: Lori called me and she will be delayed getting to Carlisle . . .she is either lost or hasn't driven far enough yet. She said the traffic was also bumper to bumper. So, that's where Blue Boy's journey is right now!"

"Bill, Mo and I handed Blue Boy over to Sandy in Pittsburgh at 6:30 pm . . .he and Mo were just perfect the whole trip to Pittsburgh . . .in their harnesses sleeping on the back seat. They both had time to take a stretch before Sandy got there. We added a few toys to the mix, too, and took some pictures. The trip over was nice, but the trip back seemed longer . . .the Pa. turnpike is ripped up almost everywhere and the speed limit is mostly 55. But, Bill did manage to get caught for speeding - and, he tells me I have a heavy foot!!!!!! Blue is just a wonderful swheatie . . .very alert and didn't seem at all nervous with all the different people . . .he's going to be a wonderful addition to his new family. We enjoyed our day!"
A PS to my last message - thanks to all who sponsored our leg of the trip for Blue Boy - it was a wonderful experience again. He's one brave little boy, but he's going to have to grow that hair out for those Minnesota winters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only time he and Mo barked is when we paid our toll to get off the Pa. turnpike - just to prove they were the "men" in charge! I'm sure he is sleeping soundly now at Sandy's before the next leg to Cleveland. I don't think he liked the harness too well though, but then again neither does Mo!"

It's Sandi and Randy in Pittsburgh reporting that we now have Blue in our kitchen relaxing after a hard day on the road. He has had dinner, a run in the yard, did his business and a walk around the block. I must say Summer, my new puppy, doesn't know what to make of him and she is busy running around on the other side of the gate making sure he stays put. We are going to have dinner now and get a good nights sleep and then get on the road tomorrow early for Cleveland, Ohio.

Sunday 8/19/01

Pittsburgh, PA. To Cleveland, OH. - Randy & Sandi Gross - 134 miles - 2 hours

Randy & Sandi Gross in Pittsburgh, PA

"Hi, this is Sandi and Randy back home again. I must say that Blue is a wonderful dog. He bedded down around 10:30 last night and slept though the night without a peep. We got up around 6:30 and he had a small snack, did his business, ran around the yard and then packed up around 8:30 and headed off to Cleveland. The weather was bad part of the way which slowed us down a bit but we handed off to Dee in Cleveland around 11:30. He was an excellent traveler. I sat in the back with him and he had on a halter but kept his head in my lap the whole trip. What a sweetheart! I got lots of kisses and I must say I was a little sad to see him go. Randy and I had lunch in Cleveland by Lake Erie and then headed back to Pittsburgh. Met up with some more thunderstorms and because of a couple of accidents along the route we were slowed down quite a bit but we made it home safe and sound. It was a real pleasure to be a small part of this remarkable journey for a most wonderful Wheaten. Good Luck Blue Boy, we miss you!!"    Sandi, Randy, 12 week old "Summer" and my daughter Kristen

Cleveland, OH. To Toledo, OH. - Dee Boyd - 117 miles - 2 hours

Sandi with Dee Boyd in Cleveland, OH

"BB is running about an hour late depending on the weather from Pittsburgh to Cleveland. He's to arrive in Cleveland approximately 11:30 a.m. this morning. I will pick him up and leave immediately for Toledo - approx. 2 hrs. where he will be picked up by Caroline for his next 'leg' of his journey." Dee Boyd

"Well, I just got home from Toledo and all is well. When I picked BB up from Sandi, I brought him home for a few minutes so that he could stretch his legs, go for a walk and run around a bit. He had a drink and a dog treat, jumped right back into my crate and on we went. Met Caroline at your Toledo meeting place, he went for another walk/potty break with her husband and then continued on with his journey. He was a real gentleman and a good traveler." Dee Boyd

Toledo, OH. To South Bend, IN. - Caroline Boyer - 153 miles - 2½ hours

Caroline Boyer in Toledo, OH

"Blue Boy was picked up from Dee in Toledo about 1:45 PM (EST) and after the transfer of his goodie bag and the picture of Blue with the car's license plate and us, we were on our way to South Bend. We arrived in South Bend about 5:20 PM (EST)-- a little bit later than we planned. Tina was on hand to pick him up and take him on the last leg of his long Sunday journey. After another transfer of the goodie bag and another picture of Blue with the license plate and Tina, Tina and Blue were on their way. He is a darling Wheaten. If you call him by his name, you get lots of lovely sWheatie kisses. I told my husband that Tina had a five-minute window to be at our rendezvous point, and if she wasn't there, BLUE BOY WAS MINE!!!! Tina was already there, darn it."  Caroline Boyer  (Boy, Mom, you would bring home a baby brother without getting my okay first?--Murphy)

South Bend, IN. To Chicago, IL. - Tina Thomas - 97 miles - 1½ hours

Overnight in Chicago, Il Area -Tina Thomas & The "B's"

"News Flash! This just in! Blue just made his transfer in Toledo from Dee to Caroline and is heading toward South Bend at 1:50EDT/12:50CDT. Progress has been slowed my rainstorms and the ever present road construction. The weather should be improving the farther west he comes. I'll post again we arrive back at "Camp Schaumburg" for the night. Right now I'm out the door headed toward South Bend. Can't wait to meet Blue" Driver # 7, aka Tina Thomas

"Well, the road warrior has arrived a Camp Schaumburg. We finally got in about 7:20pm after a looong ride from South Bend. A pox on road construction! There's a "bark-athon" going on right now with all four Wheatens vocalizing at the top of their lungs. We'll spend the evening with a bit of exercise - no one ate very well -then before you know it - it's on to Minnesota! Joyce, you did a great job with him. Lois, you're getting a jewel; once that beard and fall grow out - wow."  Driver #7 - Tina (and for tonite - the 4Bs)

"After a restful night, Blue headed toward Wisconsin bright and early this morning. I handed him off to Jane a few minutes after 6am. He as able to get a good bit of exercise last night and finally settled down and finished his dinner and we were able to get in a good half hour of serious cuddle time before bedtime. He had about 15 minutes of exercise outside this morning while getting the morning absolutions out of the way. Buck decided he wanted to be his traveling buddy and tried to get in the car with him when we left. Blue will certainly be glad to get to his new home; I know he's getting tired of traveling, but he's such sweet, good natured guy, he's handling it very well."

Monday 8/20/01

Chicago, IL. To Madison, WI. - Jane Malone - 154 miles - 2½ hours

Jane Malone in Chicago

"At 8:30 am I handed Blue off to Karen in Madison Wisconsin. He was a great copilot. I think he is a back seat driver because he had a few comments about my driving, but he really liked my singing he even joined in once.( he maybe the only person who likes it). If anyone else ever gets the opportunity to join a WURL I would encourage it. It may take up the better part of your day but you get to meet really nice people and you get to help a cute dog who really needs some love and a good home. I feel really good about helping out." Jane, Aurora IL.

Madison, WI. To La Crosse, WI - Karen Berton - 142 miles - 2½ hours

Karen Berton with Lois Wolf (Mom) in Lacrosse, WI

"I'm happy to report that Blue Boy was united with Mom Lois and Aunt Geri this morning in La Crosse, Wisconsin! Blue and I arrived around 11 a.m., and Lois and Geri were waiting. He's a sweet boy, and he is going home to Minnesota with an equally sweet family. As everyone else reported, he was a doll to travel with. He barked at orange road construction rods, but otherwise slept almost the whole way, on his back (feet up in the air). Jane, Lois, and Geri, it was wonderful to meet you. Lois, let us know that you are home safely, and thank you for the pretty azalea!"  Karen Berton  (Bowzer says, come on now and play with me, Mom)

 
Lois (New Mom) with her sister Geri

Now Blue Boy at home in Cold Spring, Minnesota

Lois, Blue Boy and Friend

Lois just called and BB is HOME!! He is not real sure about the Canary (bird) though. I guess Joyce has everything else at her home, but not a Canary!! BB has met the old Wheaten mix guy and even allowed the old guy to finish his food while BB explored and watched that darn "yellow thing" that kept singing!! Lois has some really cute stories about the ride home that she will share with everyone. She is going to join the "L"--she has a camera full of photos that is going to the "one hour" processing place. Everyone did a super job--I cannot tell all of you how much I appreciate what you did for BB. I am always relieved when the WURLers are ALL back home and safe!! GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!  Gwen

"Thanks again for your help. Blue slept perfectly through the night...did not pee outside the crate!! Greeted me with lots of hugs and kisses and explored the yard with me this morning. (Love his "glow in the dark" collar!) He is soo intrigued by my roller canary.....sits under the cage at complete attention listening to the warble tipping his head from side to side. Now he is curled up at my feet as I type this. I am soo lucky...he is such a sweetheart. I am so looking forward to getting to know him more and more every day! Today, my seven children all get e-mails with attached  pictures. They have been cheerleading the whole venture all week as well.   Joyce's computer is still not restored from its virus and I miss being able to e-mail her....talked to her on the phone a couple of times yesterday. She misses Blue a lot."   Lois Wolf

 Total miles 1528 Total driving hours 25 1/2 !!!
Great Job Everyone!!
A Special Thanks to Gwen Arthur and the WIN organization

  Here is link to WIN web site Wheatens In Need