Kalitta Air and Puppy Rescue Mission Help Soldiers Reunite With Their Furry Battle Buddies

Posted: Jul 4, 2012 at 6:45 PM [Jul 4, 2012]

Last Friday, Kalitta Air airlifted 12 dogs and 2 kitties from Afghanistan to rejoin their adoptive soldier "Moms" and "Dads" stateside. The airlift was coordinated by the Puppy Rescue Mission, an organization that is dedicated to bringing our soldiers' four-legged "battle buddies" home with them.

 

Life can be hard for dogs in other countries, and the life of a soldier is tough, too. When a soldier "adopts" a street dog, it's a match made in heaven. Caring for an innocent creature is precious respite from the horrors of war, and provides a sense of normalcy. The dogs are originally half wild, and are often victims of human abuse. Frequently, the dogs return the favor of rescue by saving the soldier's lives in one way or another. How heartbreaking to have to abandon your best friend to the streets again when your tour of duty is up, especially for a young person who has experienced so much loss and trauma already. But it costs about $4,500 to get a dog safely and legally to the US from a war-torn country. That's where Puppy Rescue Mission comes in.

 

PRM's motto is, "Soldiers saving puppies, and puppies saving soldiers," and is the brainchild of Anna Cannan, whose fiance served in Afghanistan. While deployed, her fiance and the men at his post befriended a few of the local stray dogs, who later saved their lives from a suicide bomber. Anna knew what a dog-lover her fiance was, and also how strong the bond had become between the dogs and the soldiers who adopted them. She began to brainstorm how to bring the dogs home with the men as their tour of duty came to a close. These dogs were the original "Lucky Seven," and since then, Puppy Rescue Mission has continued to raise money and awareness to bring many more dogs home, and a few kitties, too.

 

Head on over to http://thepuppyrescuemission.orgPRM's to learn how to chip in and help reunite a soldier with his or her special battle buddy. You can also go to http://eaglerarelife.com/content/anna-cannan to cast a vote for Anna and the Puppy Rescue Mission: Eagle Rare Bourbon will award the organization with the most votes anywhere from $3,000-$30,000 to continue its work.

 

It feels great to rescue a dog who would otherwise live a short, abusive life, while at the same time giving thanks in a very meaningful way to the men and women who have served us.

 

Now that's the American Spirit!