US Soldier’s Struggle to Keep Dog She Adopted in Baghdad

I came across a very disturbing story this morning on another blog titled, “US Military rips away pet of deployed US Soldier shortly before Baghdad Pups can send puppy to safety in Minnesota“.  A friend of the website’s author is presently stationed in Iraq.  While serving our country, this soldier came upon a malnourished, homeless puppy, whom she named Rachet.  She has nursed the dog back to health, and he has grown from a scared little furball into a playful, loving young dog.  As you can imagine, there are numerous obstacles to transporting an Iraqi dog back to the states.  There is, however, one organization that provides  medical care, clearance and transport for the animals U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East, called Baghdad Pups.

Baghdad Pups is one of the very few truly altruistic organizations in existence today. This group really understands the importance of animals during times of intense emotional and physical stress, and they do everything they can to send soldier’s pets home to safety. The soldier in this story has been held in Iraq for 15 months longer than her original assignment, and this dog is one of the only things that has managed to keep her going during this time. Regardless if you are a dog lover, dog hater, or completely indifferent, I think we can all agree that Baghdad Pups is providing a wonderful service for our military men and women.

Ratchet should be on his way to Minnesota right now; except he is not.

Last Wednesday, the soldier’s commanding officers seized Ratchet as he was on the way to the Baghdad airport, en route to his new home with her parents.

Their reason?

“It is against military regulations for active duty troops to befriend animals”

As if that is not enough, according to the Baghdad Pups Press Release:

“Soldiers can face immediate court-marshal [for befriending animals] and some even see their animals brutally murdered by a direct gunshot to the head from commanding officers who will not bend the rules.”

Rachet was so close, on his way to the airport, ready to start his new life in the States, and now he might be killed. Put to death because some power-hungry officers decided to flex their muscles, and make an example of an innocent animal, because Gwen dared to care about him.

The soldier is now under military investigation for caring about a helpless puppy, something hundreds of other soldiers do in Iraq.

From the original website:

“She is absolutely devastated.  I’m devastated for her.  I cried for days last fall after the cat I rescued died of old age. I can’t imagine how horrid it would be to save and love a pet, to be full of hope that he will be a part of your life after you finally come home – and to have that cruelly snatched away.

I don’t know why this has happened to her.  She has been through so much already.  It’s just awful.”

It is just beyond human reason to me to deprive these soldiers of the simple joys animal companionship can bring.

Please take a minute to help spread the word about what is happening to Ratchet.  We need to get news out there about her case, before the military decides to “eliminate the problem” by killing her dog.

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

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Email your friends, family, co-workers – everyone on your email list!

If you are in Minnesota, call a Senator. Gwen is a resident of MN, and Ratchet was supposed to be transported there.

Senator Amy Klobuchar:
(888) 224-9043 -or- (612) 727-5220

Senator Norm Coleman:
(800) 642-6041 -or- (651) 645-0323

(or, if you prefer) Candidate Al Franken:
(888) 908-2008 -or- (612) 344-2008

If you’re not in MN, call your senators and representatives as well.

Pass this along to news outlets.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE for my friend and other soldiers, donate to Baghdad Pups.  It can cost over $4000 to bring back a dog or cat to the US, and Baghdad Pups receives 3-4 new requests from soldiers every week.   Please help them to continue their mission.