A most inspiring dog story!!!
With all of the entries I have written about the dogs subject to war conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan, probably one of the most interesting, touching and inspiring stories I have come across is “44 Days out of Kandahar”. The story is about a dog named Cinnamon and her life. The story is told by author Christine Sullivan and you can get an idea of the magnitude of emotions that exist within this book simply from the title, “44 Days out of Kandahar: The Amazing Story of a Missing Military Puppy and the Desprate Search to find Her”
Cinnamon was an army base mascot for a U.S military base in the war ridden Afghanistan territories. The puppy, Cinnamon was precious to the many men and women who served on this military base. However, Mark Feffer (brother of Christine Sullivan), a soldier on this military base was concerned for the safety and welfare of Cinnamon once the troop rotation took place. Would there be someone to care for Cinnamon? Would the dog be safe, fed and healthy?
Mark and his wife Alice decided to adopt Cinnamon and bring her home. They were diligent in their preparations, insuring that the dogs medical exams, shots and certificates were all complete. They arranged for an experienced dog handler to travel with Cinnamon and deliver her to the U.S. The plane was due to arrive on a Friday afternoon in Chicago, but when the plane arrived, Cinnamon was missing. The experienced dog handler had abandoned Cinnamon in a foreign country and had never told a soul. The utter panic that resulted from that information must have been horrible for Feffer and his wife.
The story that Christine Sullivan tells is Cinnamon’s true story. You will read about the incredible international search for a dog that had already touched the hearts of so many. Christine’s book and her efforts to help her brother find Cinnamon has evolved in an even greater effort. New Hope for Animals will be funded through the purchase of this book about Cinnamon. The monies raised from the sale of the book will go to help animals in need. Currently Christine and Mark are partnering with SPCA International in a project called Operation Baghdad Pups. This project recognizes the dangers these dogs face everyday in the hostile war torn Middle East environments. Operation Baghdad Pups raises money to help bring those dogs to safety and into the arms of the many servicemen and women who have cared and loved these animals.
Check out Cinnamon’s story via youtube video, by clicking here.
Go on Christine’s website; learn more about Cinnamon, buy the book and help!!!
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
[...] saved and adopted by serviceman Mark Feffer, I spoke about Mark’s sister, Christine Sullivan. Check it out by clicking here. She wrote a book about Cinnamon’s journey to America and how the dog was almost lost [...]