Two dogs come home from Iraq

My husband, while in Iraq had two dogs on his base that were pets to him and the other Soldiers with him.  Since all the American Soldiers are being pulled out of Iraq the dogs would just be left to fend for themselves and would probably starve to death or be subject to the other wild dogs that roam free throughout the desert.  Andrew decided to look into bringing the dogs home.  The money had to be raised, the flights scheduled, and the dogs had to then be picked up from D.C. once they landed in the states.

Looking at grass for the first time

This was the letter written to help raise funds to being the dogs to the states. 

No Dog Left Behind

 

Meet Sgt. Andrew Beard.

On the base where Sgt. Andrew Beard is serving in Iraq lives a white mixed breed dog named Homey.  Homey was taken in by American soldiers to save him from the prescribed killing of all free-roaming dogs.  In exchange for his adoption and protection, Homey happily provides love and affection each day as he has lived with teams as they have come and gone over the past three years.

What Homey does not yet know is that there is something different about this team.  It will be the last.   Sgt. Beard’s team’s mission is to shut down the base.  Nothing will be left for Homey except to be set free in the Iraqi desert near the base.  Most Iraqis consider dogs unclean, and have been known to use them for target practice.

Andrew’s other buddy is Moses.  Moses was born there at the base about seven months ago.  Raised by American soldiers, he has never known the dangers and cruelty of the outside Iraqi world.  He is very playful and personable.

The dogs provide so much love and enrichment to the lives of our soldiers as they are away from family in a far off land dealing with the stresses of war each day.  There is a certain faithful commitment that these soldiers feel from their furry friends, Homey and Moses.  The soldiers have agreed to pitch in to help bring them to America.

We at Woodstock Animal Foundation and Metzger’s Country Store want to partner with Sgt. Beard and his unit to help bring Homey and Moses home.  If you would like to help with this effort, you can donate at the desk.

Thanks!!

All loaded for the trip to their new home




 They landed in the states on October 21st and hit the road for Louisville KY on the 22nd.  We did it! They are here. They are the sweetest dogs.  My son and I went to meet them.  I was a little nervous not knowing how they would be around a baby (they have never been around one) but they were so gentle! It was like they knew they needed to be.  Homey just kept giving us kisses.  It was fun to see them in grass, they did not know what to do!

They kept running in it and losing their traction, grass feels a little different than the dirt and sand they are used to.  Once they get used to the colder weather it will be fun to see how they respond to snow!  I have to be honest, I am a little jealous that these doggies spent the last 7 months with my husband when I did not and that they have seen him much more recently than I have!  But, they are much too sweet for me to hold that against them.

Meeting the boys