To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this with the intent of seeing an important member of my team make it to the United States. Back in November 2007, a stray cat began hanging out around our compound. Someone had tied a piece of cord around his neck. Over time the cord got tighter and was slowly strangling the cat. We wanted to get it off of him, but he'd never let us get close enough to help.
A member of our team had an idea. We lured the cat into a vehicle with some tuna, and with a lot of hacking and gasping, he began to eat. SFC Jackson then grabbed him and the fight was on! As the cat connected with a few well-aimed claws, I took a pair of scissors and managed to sever the cord from his neck. When we let him go, the cat scampered off, madder than hell and hissing just to make sure we knew he was pissed. We didn't expect to see him again.
The next day there he was outside the door, looking at us with a "How about some more tuna?" expression on his face. The old Chinese adage came to mind: Once you save someone's life, they become your responsibility for the rest of their life. Over time Tom proved the adage true; he became a permanent resident outside our building.
We are an eleven-man team. Since our arrival in Iraq, four of our team members have died. I was in the vehicle during the IED strike that killed two of our teammates. I was physically wounded, but those injuries healed up fine. Mentally, however, I was distraught, to say the least.
For several weeks I couldn't get much sleep and was consumed with worry over when I would ever start feeling better inside. I'd go outside at night so I wouldn't wake my roommate with all my tossing and turning. After Tom adopted us, every time I went out, he would appear, hop up onto my lap, and look at me with an expression that said, "Hey, buddy, wish I could help, but what I really need is some tuna."
This one cat has given me more reasons to smile. Just having him hang out with me helped to pull me out of a dark funk that pervaded my existence ever since the IED attack. I owe an awful lot to my four-legged buddy.
We are getting close to redeployment, and Tom must come back to the States with us. He has certainly done his part for me. The other individuals whose lives he touched all have stories that mirror my own. Whoever has the power or authority to make this happen, please help us. We don't want to lose another team member. There is no other option but to succeed!
-CPT Kevin Connors
The space freed up by the death of a puppy named Misfit opened the possibility of rescue for a cat named Tom. I couldn't help but think of the old saying that when one door closes, another one opens. I wrote back to Kevin and began the process of getting Tom onto our list.
Shortly after replying to Kevin's e-mail with the news that we would try to help, I received a call from Stephanie Scroggs, our director of communications. Her relentless efforts to reach out to the media had just paid off.
"Terri, I had a call from the producers of Laura Ingraham's national radio talk show. Laura wants to interview you on her program." Stephanie's voice bubbled with excitement.
As the good news filtered through my brain, a light seemed to fill the darkness of the deep well that the morning had become.
"This is big, Stephanie; it's huge! Surely someone with the means to help us will be listening to Laura's program. Good work!"
"I think it would help to convey urgency if one of the soldiers whose dog is already home joins you on the show," Stephanie said.
"I agree." My mind was already going down the list of possibilities.
"Who would you suggest?" Stephanie asked.
"Andrew Bankey. We rescued his dog, Socks. Andrew is home for good now, unless he gets called up for reserves. The last time I phoned to see how Socks is doing, Andrew said he's been missing his unit. I bet he'd be more than happy to put in a good word for other soldiers in need of help."
After Stephanie hung up, I called Andrew. The embargo date was not far away, so there was no time to waste. It was a relief when he answered on the first try. When I explained what we needed him to do, Andrew agreed.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I asked. "A lot of people will hear this interview. I wouldn't want it to get back to the military and result in your getting into trouble."
"Hey, if I can help to get these thirty animals home, that's what matters right now," he said. "I doubt the military will get on my case, but if they do, I'll deal with it."
Immediately after listening to the broadcast, Stephanie sent a memo to the staff, board of directors, and volunteers who were closely following the ever-changing saga of Operation Baghdad Pups.
Tom and Francine in Iraq Kevin Connors
From: Stephanie Scroggs, Director of Communications
To: SPCA International Staff, Board Members, and Volunteers
May 14, 2008
Terri and SGT Andrew Bankey just ROCKED a nationwide interview on the Laura Ingraham radio show. The program is syndicated to over 230 stations nationwide. Terri mentioned our website at least three times, and Andrew was a pro. They nailed it. Now let's see what happens.
-Stephanie
I had to believe that because we were doing the right thing for these animals and soldiers, our work was destined to succeed. People were putting a lot of faith in me, and along with the responsibility of each new animal added to our list, I took on the weight of another human being and his or her family.
At the end of the day I received an e-mail response from an exultant Kevin Connors. He and his men were so excited, he said. They couldn't believe we had added Tom to our active list. Our news was the best thing that had happened to them since they'd arrived in Iraq. "There's just one thing I forgot to mention," Kevin wrote. "I also have a dog named Francine."
Once again the list grew.
Dusty-One of the dogs anxiously waiting for a ride to the USA Jean Mathers
ay 14, 2008, began at 5:15 a.m. with a logjam of e-mails, a lengthy to-do list, and follow-up calls. Twelve hours later I stepped away from my computer to play with Army Specialist Michael Payne's dog, Coke. He was the tenth dog that we had successfully rescued from Iraq and was one of the many that Bev and Barb fostered while waiting for the soldier to come home. When I tossed Coke's ball for the umpteenth time, my phone rang.
Stephanie had called me less than an hour earlier, so I was surprised to hear her voice again. She had been expressing concern that the looming embargo deadline of June 1 was approaching crisis level for all those involved. On this call, however, her voice jumped several points on the optimism scale.
"Terri," she bubbled, "I just got an e-mail from a man named `Dave Lusk.' He's one of the senior managers of global operations at FedEx. Listen to this ..."
Stephanie proceeded to read his message:
"Over the next two weeks, we will be repositioning some of our aircrafts, routing them from Dubai through Frankfurt and finally ending up at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. The next departure is this coming Sunday. Since we are operating these flights from Dubai, would you be able to get the animals there? If you can, we'll fly them home at no charge."
As Stephanie continued to read, my eyes closed. There it wasthat voice inside-reassuring me the universe was ready to line up for something spectacular to occur. I touched the top of Coke's head and let go of the worry. It was time to get down to business.
After we hung up, I ran back into the house. Bursting with adrenaline, I returned to my computer and e-mailed Dave, while an exhausted Coke followed me indoors, curled up, and fell asleep. Asking Dave how he knew about our predicament, his reply came back, "Deborah Amos, a FedEx employee, heard you on the radio. She sent an e-mail to Lisa Daniel in the FedEx department that handles charitable requests. Everyone agreed; we want to do our part to support the men and women willing to go off to war. We've even given this project a name: `Operation Patriot Pets.' I will be your primary contact at FedEx and will do everything I can to get things rolling."
The one thing Dave asked in return was that we keep FedEx out of the spotlight. "The company does not ship dogs a
nd cats," he wrote. "In this case, and this case only, we're making an exception. If word got out, we wouldn't be able to handle the anticipated bombardment of requests to ship other domestic animals. That's just never going to happen, so for now, we'd like to keep this operation quiet."
Once Dave laid out the rules, I had an even greater respect for the decision makers at FedEx. I wrote back to him, "What FedEx is doing is the kind of act that renews people's faith in the human race. Twenty-eight dogs and two cats will live because of your decision. For the anxious soldiers and contractors, this news could not be any better. I can't wait to tell them. I suspect you'll hear their hurrahs all the way from Iraq."
Morning could not come fast enough. I got up before dawn to write a group e-mail and pressed the "Send" button with a huge smile on my face. I wished I could be a fly on the wall as each of the anxious owners read the news.
From: Terri Crisp, SPCA International
To: Operation Baghdad Pups Owners
May 16, 2008
On Wednesday morning, Laura Ingraham invited me and SGT Andrew Bankey to be guests on her radio show. She gave me plenty of air time to explain the urgency of your animals' situation. After that, Andrew went to bat for all of you, explaining how important it is to get these dogs and cats back to the States . His dog, Socks, was one of the first we transported, so he was well qualified to speak. Laura's show was broadcast nationwide.
Now ... here's the GOOD NEWS. Are you ready?
Thanks to the show, a company that is willing and able to transport your animals offered to help. WE ARE FORMING A PLAN! There is still much to organize, and I'll need to stay in regular contact with you. Please stand by and keep checking your e-mails daily.
-Terri
As I typed, one soldier on our active list came to mind. In a combat zone where his life was under constant threat, you would think that this guy's biggest worry would be about going home severely wounded or in a body bag. But it wasn't. He said the hardest thing of all was worrying over how to get his dog out of there. Boy, did these animals matter.
The number of people working worldwide to pull off this mission was growing rapidly, and I was blown away by the level of commitment from each team member. Even so, I knew from experience that in the next few days seemingly insurmountable obstacles would raise their ugly heads to test that commitment. When faced with all the logistical and bureaucratic nightmares, it would be easy to forget who we were doing this for and how important it was to succeed against all odds.
I decided to send some photographs I'd received from the soldiers, along with excerpts from their e-mails. The poignancy of soldiers' words, combined with their buddies' appealing faces, worked like a double injection of motivation.
From: Terri Crisp, SPCA International
To: Dave Lusk (FedEx); John Wagner (Gryphon); Doug Crowe (SLG);
May 18, 2008
In case any members of your teams wonder why we are crazy enough to even attempt this mission, let them read the following passages, all excerpts from e-mails sent to me by owners of the dogs and cats we'll be transporting:
We are in Fallujah and have an orange tabby that has been part of our unit for the past two years. He's lived in our offices since he was a kitten. Burt has been passed down from each Marine expeditionary force that comes in. We are shutting this base down fairly soon, and I cannot leave him here by himself knowing he is used to living with us. He is a complete doll baby. He loves people, and he lies upside down in our arms, getting tummy scratches. Until recently, he had his sister with him. That was until KBR, the company hired by the military to euthanize stray cats, showed up. Our boy is safe for now because he lives with us where the "cat-napper" can't get him. My home in the States will provide Burt a safe place, and he'll be spoiled beyond belief. I just need to get him there. Please help us. He is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met; he deserves a good home and not to be left behind.
On behalf of Burt (short for "Burtuqaalli," "orange" in Arabic), thank you.
-CPL Erin A. Kirk
This is about Beatrice Kiddo. We have cared for her for so long; I cry when I write this. She is the most loving, sweetest dog I have ever known, and she is a part of our Army family here. She loves being loved, as she has probably never been treated this well. She has five puppies now, and all have been claimed by soldiers ranking from Specialist all the way to Captain. I can't imagine leaving them here when we go. They would not know how to fend for themselves. Beatrice is spoiled, and she would starve to death on her own. Please help us get her and the pups out of Iraq. They will be almost twelve weeks old in June and able to fly.
-SSG Roberta Green
My husband, SGT Gary Dobbs, is currently serving his third tour in Iraq. While driving back from an exhausting mission, the driver of the Humvee, who is not allowed to stop under any circumstances for our own soldiers' safety, hit a pup that darted out in front of them. Fortunately, they were not far from the FOB (forward operating base), and this puppy had such a fight for life. He actually followed the convoy back to the FOB.
My husband immediately went to the puppy's aid. He got their medic to come and see him. After an extensive examination, it was apparent he had some minor and some possibly serious injuries. My husband went to work fetching all the supplies needed to disinfect the wounds and to brace his back leg for support. He fed him and gave him a warm bath. When Gary called and told me the story of what happened, he asked me to send supplies for Dodger and begged me to see if I could find some way to help get this precious little guy out of Iraq. Dodger has since healed of all his injuries except for a minor limp on his back leg.
This dog is just what Gary needed to pull his morale back up. Dodger has become my husband's best friend and a focus point that helps Gary deal with being away from his family and in the middle of a war. My husband's buddy deserves a loving home where he can be taken care of without the fear of abandonment.
-Susan Dobbs
I am an international police advisor working at the Ministry of Interior. We have a small pup, approximately four months old. The Iraqis where we work had abused him, kicking and throwing rocks at him, until we intervened. The pup has adopted us now. I would like to get him home to Texas where he will never experience cruelty again.
-Michael Hughes
I am an Air Force mental health technician assigned to a FOB combat stress control unit with the Army. Our team of mental health professionals consists of five Air Force and one Army member. We recently adopted a four-week-old puppy that was found at the motor pool and would have been put to sleep if no one took him. Patton has quickly become a loved member of the team. I see the joy he brings to the soldiers we come in contact with on a daily basis. Many of the soldiers who wouldn't come for counseling before now willingly come to visit the puppy. Without their realizing it, we establish therapeutic relationships while the soldiers hold the puppy and talk. He's the best mental health technician on the team!
With tours lasting up to eighteen months, it's grueling on the soldiers and their families. Our records show that 50 percent of them have relationship difficulties as a result of separation. Without skilled listeners, soldiers suffer alone with depression as well as war-related trauma.
Our team members work twelve-hour days listening to and feeling the same emotions the combat soldiers feel, so it's incredibly draining, and we need an outlet for release. Until Patton came, we didn't have that outlet. Patton never stops giving unconditional love. At the end of his workday of comforting soldiers, the little guy comes and sits on our laps, with no idea he's putting in overtime. His tail is like a paintbrush that sweeps sorrows away while he makes us forget the harsh reality of war for a little while. I have two daughters at home, and when I miss holding them in my arms, I hug Patton.
Patton has played an extraordinary role, and now that our deployment is about to end, we want to get our co-therapist to the United States. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated because we cannot leave him
behind!
-Major Jennifer Mann
My company made a great friend on this deployment. Our dog Stubbs deserves so much more than what this country can offer. When an Iraqi walks by, Stubbs stands his ground and barks. He is willing to protect us, no matter what. He sits at the gate all day and night keeping the guards company. When we soldiers go running, Stubbs is right there with us, motivating us to run farther or just darn right making us look bad by doing circles around us, showing what a PT stud he is. A few times when we came off missions, we found Stubbs beaten up by other dogs, with blood from teeth marks on his head. I would sit down beside him, thinking he wouldn't make it through the night, and he'd just fall asleep with his head next to my leg. That's the great thing about Stubbs, he'll sit next to you as you pet him, and soon he'll be asleep, so peaceful after an exhausting day. Stubbs is the greatest sight in life when there's little good to see here.
-SSG Darlene Jones
Patton hard at work during "talk therapy" Jenni Mann
Puppy with an Iraqi version of a dog toy SPCA International
I understand that being on your list means our girl has a oneway ticket to the States. You have no clue how happy we are to hear this great news. We just came off of patrol and to tell my people that Diwo is going to the States, I wish you could see their faces. If there is anything else you need between now and then, don't hesitate to let me know. Again, thanks for everything you have done for us. You have made our day.
-SSG Carole Cooper
After reading the soldiers' testaments, Dave Lusk sent a reply that summed up what everyone on the FedEx, Gryphon, and SLG teams felt.
"Bringing these animals home is not a question of ifthis will happen, Terri. It is a matter of when."
Ralphie after another long day in the war zone Amber Daigle
No Buddy Left Behind: Bringing U.S. Troops' Dogs and Cats Safely Home From the Combat Zone Page 14
