No Buddy Left Behind: Bringing U.S. Troops' Dogs and Cats Safely Home From the Combat Zone (41 page)

It was incredibly difficult for a mother to see her son in so much pain and be unable to help him. Her first hope finally came when she looked out the window one morning and saw Alan seated with his arm around Dusty's shoulders, and talking for all he was worth. From that day forward, Alan talked to Dusty for hours while the dog sat and listened.

"That was when I realized," said Jean, "that the war took my son away, but Dusty was bringing him back. The connection between those two was so intense; even today I can't explain it."

Three years later, Alan is working and living a productive life, while Dusty still lives with jean and plays paper chase every chance he gets. "We have four bathrooms," said Jean. "When I'm out of the house, Dusty goes into each bathroom, grabs hold of the toilet paper and runs. By the time I come home from work, paper is strewn everywhere, and that dog sits there grinning at me like he's Goody Two Shoes. Considering what he's done for Alan, though," she laughs, "I forgive him."

Patton-For a puppy that provided so much comfort to soldiers and counselors on the mental health team in Iraq, it's not surprising to learn that Patton also suffered postwar symptoms. Now weighing sixty pounds, he still seeks the safety of someone's lap when frightened by a loud noise. Patton also needs assurance when strangers approach, and exposure to new situations has to be on his terms-typical behavior for dogs that have lived in a combat zone.

Patton is enjoying life in Ohio with the retired Air Force major and her family. Only a month into her retirement, Jenni discovered that she had cancer. Her dog became a great source of healing and humor while she underwent chemotherapy. Patton helped her through difficult months to stay positively focused on her goal of complete recovery. He now claims the title of Canine Coach and accompanies Jenni as she practices for her first marathon.

"Patton is still a character," Jenni laughs. "His favorite thing of all is puddles, the bigger and dirtier, the better. Try as we might, my daughters and I just cannot keep Patton out of them. He claims our laps on the couch, keeps me laughing, and we all love him. Thank God, he's here."

Moody-Bryan's mom, Janet, was taken aback when someone asked why she and her son wanted to bring home a foreign stray dog, while so many American dogs needed homes. With two sons serving multiple tours in Iraq and a daughter married to a soldier on deployment, Janet was quick to respond, "Not one of those American dogs saved my son."

After serving three tours of duty and losing several close friends to enemy action, Bryan did what many soldiers do in order to just survive. He shielded his heart behind a nearly impenetrable wall of reserve.

"I dated a little between tours," Bryan said, "but I never allowed myself to get close to anyone or have a long-term relationship. Yeah, I was lonely. But when you're overseas, and you get a letter with the news she's tired of waiting and found someone else, it can destroy you. Distractions like that will get you and your men killed."

When the Military cable TV channel showed Bryan and Moody's Operation Baghdad Pups rescue story, a nurse in New York couldn't get the beautiful dog or the soldier with the sad eyes and gorgeous smile out of her mind. After several days she broke down and e-mailed the soldier, who had just started his fourth tour in Iraq. The nurse said she'd be glad to send stuff to Bryan and the other soldiers of his unit, so he quickly responded, "Yes, please!" hoping for a big care package filled with homemade cookies. They corresponded regularly, and Bryan found it easy to open up to this person unlike any of the women he'd dated before.

Three years later Bryan is still serving in the military, and he's back in the States living with his dog and the special woman he loves.

"Every time my son looks at that girl, his beautiful smile lights up his face," said Janet happily. "If it weren't for Moody, they'd never have met. Moody has been like a miracle to our family. He saved Bryan, and he brought the most wonderful woman into his life.

"I can't thank Terri Crisp and SPCA International enough. The work they do is so important for U.S. soldiers and their families. I pray they will continue their missions for as long as we have people serving overseas and that Americans will continue to generously support this program."

Due to the scaling back of American troops in Iraq during 2010 and 2011, many of the working dogs, owned by private companies and contracted out to U.S. troops for bomb-sniffing and other security duties, are no longer needed. As of March 2011, Terri began another Iraq-based rescue mission that resulted in eight retired working dogs making it safely back to the States, where forever homes were waiting for them. No more sniffing for bombs or facing the dangers of war; these dogs will now get to live happy, carefree lives. Terri promised that her efforts to find permanent homes for these war service animals will not stop until every unwanted dog that risked its life for our troops is brought home.

As of May 31, 2011, Operation Baghdad Pups brought a total number of 340 animals-280 dogs and 58 cats from Iraq, plus two dogs from Afghanistan-to the United States, determined that there will be no buddy left behind.