Ten year old Magnolia was discovered at an animal shelter in Calgary. No longer wanted by her family when the son who owned her left home, Magnolia was stressed and ill when an AireCanada volunteer discovered her plight. The rescue worker acted with dispatch ­ pulling Magnolia from the shelter and taking her temporarily into her own home. In jig time, she located a foster placement for Magnolia, arranged for medical assessments and renamed her "Maggie Mae."

After taking a close look at this girl's temperament, AireCanada wondered if Maggie would be a perfect fit for an older couple in British Columbia. The couple, Airedale owners for most of their lives, were hoping for one last dog. BC rescue workers had despaired of finding one who met the pre-determined criteria ­ reasonably quiet, relatively obedient, affectionate and disinclined to yank on a leash. After hearing about Maggie, everyone agreed she was perfect.

Maggie journeyed out from Calgary with an obliging and very generous truck driver and was collected by rescue volunteers near Vancouver, BC.

When Maggie's new "parents" arrived to take her home, the resident Airedales and Maggie met them at the door. Gerda gazed with delight at Maggie and asked hopefully, "Is that MY dog?" Assured this was the case, Gerda and her husband, Jack, spent a few minutes caressing a wiggling little body and receiving friendly laps from an enthusiastic Airedale who had decided almost instantly that these people were hers. "She's very lovely," said Gerda. "Oh, yes," agreed Jack, "very lovely!" As transfer papers were signed, Maggie curled up on the floor with her head laid gently between Gerda's feet. At the conclusion of formalities, Maggie trotted off with Gerda and Jack without a backward glance.

Gerda calls the rescue volunteers in Vancouver from time to time to update them on Maggie's new life. She always starts her phone calls with the words, "I have the BEST dog in the world!" Maggie, it seems, has fitted perfectly into this small family. She's obedient, affectionate and walks politely on leash. She loves to cuddle on the couch with the resident cats. She has even learned to fetch Jack when Gerda needs a little assistance.

Far from being a throw-away dog, ten year old Maggie Mae is now making a new family very happy. She is indeed one of the "BEST dogs (and the luckiest) in the world!"