In tribute to Mayday, a traveling dog mascot will try to visit all 50 states and 10 countries with pilots and passengers on private aircraft. A second mascot, Little Miss Mayday, will accompany families departing the airport for family vacations.
“Together, these two travelers will help promote the love of aviation in the hearts of the young and old alike,” the airport’s communications manager, Lauren Smith, said in a news release.
Mayday, a rescue dog, was added to the airport staff in 2001 to chase birds and other wildlife off airport property. She was trained at Dover Air Force Base’s Bird Strike Control Program to respond to whistles and commands given by her handler, Tina Rhodes.
During her tenure, Mayday recovered from a snake bite and surgery to remove a benign tumor from her leg. Mayday retired in December 2010 at age 14 and died in October 2011.
Children in grades one through eight interested in temporarily adopting Little Miss Mayday should write a one-page essay explaining why the stuffed dog should go on their family vacation. Four students, who must be departing the airport, will be selected each year.
Essays must include vacation destination, departure and arrival dates, and contact information for a parent or legal guardian. The first deadline for submissions is Jan. 29.
E-mail essays to lsmith@augustaga.gov or to 1501 Aviation Way, Augusta, GA 30906, Attention: Lauren Smith.
For more information and traveling mascot program guidelines, visit flyags.com/Mayday.
Source: http://beta.mirror.augusta.com
Mayday rests in her owners backyard. The dog used to chase birds away at the Augusta airport.
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