Fred The Rescue Dog Makes it ‘Home’ For Christmas: Operation Frodo, 20 Journalists and the 23 Rescue Dogs They Drove Cross Country
I’m telling you this story because I want you to pause, feel your heart melt a little, maybe tear up a bit. There are Beagles, lots of snuggles and waggy tails. And if you’re the kind who likes to see hard-knuckled journalists soften into a puddle of emotion, you, like these rescue dogs, are in luck.
And, I’m editing this story a few days after we first published it with an update: Fred the Beagle will make it to his new home in Portland, OR in time for Christmas.
In mid-December, a group of automotive journalists embarked on an annual tradition, Operation Frodo, to drive a group of Beagles cross-country to foster and adoptive homes in Salt Lake City, Portland, OR and Seattle. But Fred had a sadder story than the rest; he didn’t make the cut for Operation Frodo and was left behind in foster care. His brother Melvyn, though, made it on board and soon was on his way to a new home … just not the home that was his original destination.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Operation Frodo Started With a Simple Mission: To Rescue a Beagle
It started a few years ago when automotive journalist Nik Miles needed to rescue a dog named Frodo. Nik has always had a soft spot for dogs in need; but Frodo was at a shelter in Omaha and Nik was in Portland. Getting to Omaha was easy enough; just hop on a plane, which Nik does weekly to attend test drive events and shoot videos about them.
But getting Frodo, plus a few others in need of rescue, back to Portland? Not so easy. The only option was to drive.
Pictured: Nik Miles with the original Frodo, who has become a happy member of the family.
Read: Animal Rescue Transportation Unites Two of My Favorite Things: Driving and Dog Rescue
Frodo Wasn’t Alone, Unfortunately
As (bad) luck, would have it there were more rescue dogs that needed to make the trek; shelters in the Midwest can get overloaded for all the usual sad reasons: overbreeding, abandonment, overstocked pet stores, overburdened shelters. Dogs that are lonely, unsocialized, abused, and yet, with just a glance and perhaps a pinch of a treat, excitedly wagging their tails, eyes wide, spirits high.
It’s that spirit that steals our hearts and makes us forget the awful things in our world, that softens our competitive shell, that makes us believe it’s easy to do the good thing.
Pictured: Teia Collier and Tanya Gazdik on the road for Operation Frodo
Operation Frodo Becomes A Mission for Nik’s Work Family
To get these Beagles to shelters, foster homes and adoptive families, Nik needed to find a co-driver, not to mention, a car and funds to make the journey. And realizing that more drivers, more cars and more funds meant more rescue dogs could be helped, the mission became clear: Operation Frodo needed a village.
To find co-drivers, Nik called on his “work family,” like-minded souls, journalists and public relations people who could support the effort.
Pictured: Teia Collier with the Operation Frodo crew.
When You Hear This, Your Heart Sinks
“When the breeder called Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Midwest, she said ‘You can come get them, otherwise I’ll just shoot them.’ It wasn’t a threat, just a fact,” said journalist Harvey Briggs, an Operation Frodo veteran. “That’s why we started Operation Frodo. To get these guys to homes with loving families.”
Pictured: Beverly Braga takes a gaggle of rescue dogs for their morning walk.
The Uncomfortable Ask Leads to a Brighter For These Rescue Dogs
If there’s one thing automotive journalists have, it’s access to cars, and to the public relations people who manage them. Even so, getting cars to drive across the country is no small feat; there are logistics, rules and budgets to consider. Addressing a deep need often means asking for the uncomfortable, or the impossible, and figuring out how to make it work. So that’s what Nik did.
This year, Operation Frodo 2024 brought 20 journalists and PR professionals, and 22 rescue dogs together for the mid-December journey. Each team drove 1,600 miles or more from Omaha to Salt Lake City, Portland or Seattle to deliver Beagles to from the Basset & Beagle Rescue of the Heartland to Utah Beagle Rescue, Cascade Beagle Rescue, and Seattle Beagle Rescue.
Pictured: Harvey Briggs with the Operation Frodo crew and a few of the pups.
Car Makers Use Their Cars For Good
It can be hard to say no to Nik, especially when he’s figured out all the difficult parts. So Kia, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Ford and Genesis said yes, providing cars for the journey. Nissan and Infiniti picked up the bill for hotels, food and fuel. Bridgestone added Blizzak winter tires. Journalist Tanya Gazdik ordered orange Operation Frodo beanies which came in handy in wintry weather.
Pictured: The vehicles on loan to make the cross-country dog rescue trek.
Long Drives Are a Natural For This Group
This group of auto journalists drive for a living. Long drives are a part of the job, but usually there’s an unpaved trail, curvy mountain passes or untraveled frozen tundra. Long flat highways across the country are less common, but not a deterrent for a mission to rescue dogs. Jeff Zurchsmeide posted on Instagram, “At PDX heading out on #OperationFrodo2024. Once in LA I’ll climb aboard a Mercedes Sprinter with Aaron Gold and we’ll drive three days to Omaha, then four days back to Portland with 20+ beagles.”
“Piece of cake for a three-time Alcan 5000 Rally veteran.”
Pictured: Tanya Gazdik and Susie.
Weather Won’t Ruin a Worthy Mission
December in the Midwest can cold at best, typically unpredictable at worst. But this group was undeterred.
“Damn you Iowa and your ice storm! I made it it Omaha unscathed, due in no small part to the mighty #Hyundai Santa Fe that was loaned to #OperationFrodo2024,” said Tanya Gazdik. “We leave bright and early in the morning with a small herd of rescued Beagles who will be making their way to adoptive homes in Portland, Oregon. This is my longest drive/ride ever, about 2,456 miles!”
And while things started out iffy, it all turned out fine; no weather ruined the drive.
Pictured: Buddy snags a nap along the way.
And Then, the Real Reason: Giving a Sweet Soul a Chance at Happiness
Compassion makes us better humans. Understanding pain makes us compassionate. Soothing a creature’s pain heals all of us, journalist Cherise Threewitt discovered.
“My sweet Bunny has definitely endured some trauma. If I’m sitting on the floor of our room, she’ll walk normally,” she said. “But if I’m sitting at the desk or standing, she cowers to the ground and crawls. Her foster/forever home has a tough job ahead of them, but they’ll be rewarded with so much love.
I’m going to miss my honey Bunny when I leave #operationFrodo2024.”
Five hours in to the drive, analyst Sam Abuelsamid discovered how much shelter pups need us. “Just crossed into Colorado and Gracie has been curled up in my lap like this for the last 2 hours #operationfrodo2024 #GenesisGV70,” he wrote on Instagram.
Pictured: Gracie curled up on the drive.
And Then, One of the Rescue Dogs Went to … Detroit?!?
Journalist Paul Eisenstein is a sucker for big brown eyes. So when his met Melvyn’s, he could’t look away. Before Operation Frodo came to an end Paul decided to adopt his charge and take him home to Detroit to join his family, including his other rescue dog, Miles.
But he had to find a good solution to a tough problem. Melvyn was already promised to another family and they hoped to have him by Christmas.
Pictured: Paul and Melvyn.
A 23rd Rescue? Meed Fred the Beagle
Since Melvyn was promised to a Portland, OR family as a Christmas present, Paul had a puzzle to figure out. Of course he didn’t want to deprive a family of their promised pup. And they wanted Melvyn to find the best home, too. So, ‘When they heard how much Melvyn and I bonded en route, the family let me keep him,” Paul said. “In Yiddish, they performed a mechiah, a blessing.”
Paul wanted to return the favor. And, as it also turns out, Melvyn had a brother, Fred, who’d been in foster care for years.
“The family was more than willing to adopt Fred, instead…if he could be brought to Portland. And that’s where I’m heading! I actually pick Fred up in Kansas City and then escort him out to Oregon,” on Sunday before Christmas, Paul said. “He’ll be with his new family by nightfall and I cannot wait to see them bond. If he’s anywhere near as wonderful as Melvyn — and I’m told he is — this will be a truly wonderful way to begin my holiday.”
Pictured: Fred the Beagle.
It’s Not Often You Get to Save a Life—and Improve Your Own
“This year’s event was nothing short of life-changing,” Cherise said. “It wasn’t just an experience; it was a reminder of what’s important—connection, kindness, and purpose. There wasn’t a single dry eye in the room, and for good reason. Together, we’ve created something unforgettable.”
I get the feeling that this year’s 20 journalists will be 40 next year. Nik may have to find more rescue dogs to help. And car makers may need to find more cars to send to Operation Frodo.
Pictured: Operation Frodo founder Nik Miles.
Categorized:Car Culture
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