When the NASCAR haulers roll into New Hampshire this week, one of them will be carrying two special passengers Casey and Lacey a pair of rescued golden retrievers. The 13-month-old golden retrievers are arriving in the Featherlite trailer which hauls the CTS #75 trucks driven by rookie Billy Bigley. Tim Clancy, who drives the rig, is picking up the once abandoned dogs in Staley, N.C., which is just south of Greensboro, tonight and is expected to arrive at NHIS sometime Wednesday. There, the dogs will be met by their new owners, Pine Grove Drive residents Ann and Roger Copp and their 4-year-old daughter Alexandria. “Hopefully, everything will be all right. He is going to call us from the road,” Ann Copp said as she excitedly talked about the arrival of the familys newest pets and how they hooked up with a NASCAR driver. Clancy works for Spears Motorsports, which owns the number 75 truck Bigley, who ranks 13 in points standings, drives. The Copps wanted a non-aggressive dog for their daughter. They tried the Yankee Golden Rescue League, but were told it might be eight to nine months before they could obtain a dog. “We looked all over the United States and finally hooked up with Bill Mitchell, who runs the Happy Hill Animal Foundation in Staley,” Ann Copp said. After an initial interview and a house visit by a rescue league member, the Copps were approved for the adoption of a golden retriever. However, Mitchell had two, Casey and Lacey, a brother and sister, which had been abandoned by the previous owners. The Copps agreed to take both of them. Mitchell, who has been running the rescue league for the past five years, said the dogs are usually delivered by volunteers through what is called the “canine underground railroad.” Each person will drive the dog for 100 miles before it is transferred to another volunteer who takes the animal the next 100 miles. This is continued until the final destination is reached. Mitchell said the volunteer group was about to deliver the two retrievers this weekend but were cautioned against it by Mrs. Copp who told him this is race weekend and traffic would be heavy. “A light bulb went off in my head,” Mitchell said. One of the volunteers who helps him works for NASCAR. The word was spread in NASCAR circles and Tim Clancy volunteered to bring Casey and Lacey north. Mitchell said these are not the first rescued retrievers to be sent to New Hampshire but it is a first to have them delivered by someone connected to NASCAR. The North Carolinian said he has no problems allowing the Copps to adopt the dogs. “Thanks to the Internet, I feel like I know the Copps,” Mitchell said. The Copps will head to the speedway once they learn that Clancys rig is close to it. “We are looking forward to having the dogs here,” Ann Copp said.(The Citizen/Gordon King)(7-19-2001)
