Is there any other way of shipping a pet besides by air?

Shipped where, and where from?

from California to Ohio

There are several land based vans that will ship your dog. Just make sure they are a member of IPATA when you shop around for the best price.

There is also a pet network of truckers that will take pets across country, but they are usually for lost/found pets, or disaster rescue, such as floods. Since you are trying to save the dog, they might help you.

Where do I go and how do I find all this out? I’m trying to hurry up before it’s too late.

I’m really tempted to say USPS :D

However, wouldn’t the kindest thing be to go and collect the dog? If he knows you and trusts you, it would severely lessen the stress if you were able to collect him yourself.

What do you guys recommend? Traveling by air or road?

Handlers ship dogs all over the country by air and I have shipped internationally by air. There are always some horrendous experiences but it is like flying for humans, most travel with no hitches. It used to be a lot less expensive if you were flying and the dog went as excess baggage. So I have know people who booked a flight, arranged for the dog to go as excess and then canceled their own flight at the last minute but let the dog go at the lesser rate. I never tried it myself, but if you are worried about expense, I guess you could give it a try.

1–800-ARE-PETS. Nationwide door-to-door pet transport service. I have used them and found them to be excellent.