Thank you ASPCA International!!!
On Friday, 25 dogs arrived at Newark International Airport after a long trip from Iraq. These are dogs that are being relocated to the U.S. after befriending American soldiers and will have homes with those soldiers upon the soldiers’ return from their tours of duty.
One soldier in particular, Alicia Morris became especially close to a dog named Iraqi. Her mother commented during a press conference that Iraqi gave her daughter a sense of peace and normalcy. Operation Baghdad Pups understands the critical role that these dogs play in the lives of soldiers and the bond that is created between the soldiers and the dogs they grow to love. I have spoken about Operation Baghdad Pups before in previous entries, but I think it is so important to highlight the work that they do as part of ASPCA International, for the animals and for our soldiers serving our country so far away from home.
It is agains military regulations for soldiers to befriend, care or transport animals while on active duty. However, for many of our troops the love that they share with a dog they might have “emotionally adopted” is critical to the soldier’s physical and psychological well being. The difficult arises when a soldier has to move out and is unable to bring the dog with them. This is where ASPCA International steps in and helps unite the dog with the soldier or the soldier’s family. In fact, it is required that a dog have a home in the United States before it ever leaves the war zone where it currently exists. Extensive screening efforts are done with the soldiers to insure that they understand the transition the dog will have to make from a war time climate to a peace time home.
The trip to the U.S. for Iraqi and 24 other dogs was extensive. Click here to see the video. The dogs left Iraq on Monday and traveled through Dubi, the United Kingdom and France until they arrived in Newark this Friday. Fed Ex transported the animals shortly before a ban on transporting animals goes into effect.The high temperatures of the season that will exist in cargo areas will prohibit the transport of these dogs or any other animals shortly.
If you haven’t checked out the work of ASPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pups, I would encourage you to do so by clicking here. This is a gallant effort on behalf of the soldiers that are fighting for us and the dogs they love. Please take a look and if possible, help this organization out as much as you can.
Leave a Reply