The joyous reunion of Delta passenger, Rick Ankiel, and his furry friend, Lucy, has been welcomed by many after the pup went missing three weeks ago at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Ankiel had been on his way from Florida to Pennsylvania with his 11-pound Maltese Poodle mix, Lucy, when the canine suddenly disappeared. After much searching, Ankiel was unfortunately unable to locate her and chose to leave for his next destination without the four-legged companion.
Delta Airlines staff were quick to pick up the news as they sprung into action, putting out announcements, organizing volunteers and forming a team dedicated to the search of Lucy since August 31.
Delta made sure to include airport staff, Ankiel himself as well as other passengers in the search action. Dogs were also taken for daily walks and used their sense of smell to cover as much ground as possible. The search was then extended to the local community of Atlanta where hundreds of flyers, posts and leaflets with Lucy’s information were distributed.
After three weeks of searching, Delta passengers Mark and Janell Sagh were overwhelmed to stumble upon the missing pup. They were able to identify Lucy from a photo posted on their neighborhood Facebook page and immediately took her to a vet for treatment.
Upon reuniting with Lucy at the vet clinic, Ankiel said, “It was like the best feeling in the world, like I was flying on a plane again… She looked like she just scampered down the stairs she was so happy. I was just so happy, I can’t even explain it.”
Since the reunion, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help pay for Lucy’s vet bills, treats, food, and toys. Delta employees have also reportedly donated over $1,300 and the Airline is looking into making a one-time donation to the campaign.
The success of this story continues to serve as a reminder that no act of kindness is too small. Delta employees have been praised for their dedication to volunteer and their initiative to actively search for Lucy. Their enthusiasm towards helping one of their passengers has also shown that the power of a community is strong and is always capable of working miracles.
This case is sure to have inspired countless other passengers and remind others how the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference. Examples such as these prove that we are all connected – one act of kindness does indeed go a long way.