The Marines kick a guy out for throwing a puppy, but then...

[Truth2Tell]

From: getFreshMinds

...

One of my good college friends is in Iraq right now. A couple months ago, she told me about Baghdad Pups, a really amazing organization that provides medical care, clearance and transport for the animals U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East...

Baghdad Pups gives our soldiers hope by helping them send their pets home to safety. It's such a unique and touching idea. I couldn't wait to write about it.

Except today, I wish I could be writing about anything else. Because something so awful has happened that I'm writing this through tears.

-snip

My friend has been held in Iraq by the stop-loss policy for over 15 months longer than her original commitment to the military. It hasn't been easy for her--and the puppy she saved has been one of the few things that has kept her going.

We've been hearing about her puppy, Ratchet, on Facebook for months. She's shared pictures of him as he grew from a frightened ball of fur to an adorable young dog. We learned when he was accepted into Baghdad Pups, and how her parents were going to take care of him until she returned home. She's kept us up-to-date on his travel schedule, and badgered us into contributing money to bring him home.

He was supposed to be on his way to Minnesota right now. Except he's not.

Last Wednesday, http://www.spca.com/press/item/56">my friend's commanding officers seized Ratchet as he was on the way to the Baghdad airport en route to his new home with her parents.

http://www.getfreshminds.com/2008/10/baghdad-pups.html">Whole story here.

"Soldiers can face immediate court-marshal and some even see their animals brutally murdered by a direct gunshot to the head from commanding officers who will not bend the rules." - Baghdad Pups press release

http://www.baghdadpups.com/">Check out Baghdad Pups here.

[lonestarnot]

1. I can't look. Tell me they didn't kill her doggie!

[AndyA]

2. Apparently not yet.

But it seems like it's in danger.

What a screwed up, disgusting, piece of crap world we live in today!

[Barack_America]

3. I can't look either. Just reading that last sentence brought tears to my eyes...

To think that sweet little puppy and the bond those two clearly share may be lost...

:cry:

[deaniac21]

4. This is what Bush has brought us to.

[1awake]

5. here,

"HOW YOU CAN HELP (Added by request)

If you are in Minnesota, call one of our Senators. She's a MN native and Ratchet was going to come here.

Senator Amy Klobuchar:
[phone] -or- [phone]

Senator Norm Coleman:
[phone] -or- [phone]

(or, if you prefer) Candidate Al Franken:
[phone] -or- [phone]

If you're not in MN, call your senators and representatives as well. Also, pass this along to news outlets.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE for my friend and other soldiers, donate to Baghdad Pups. It can cost over $4000 to bring back a dog or cat to the US, and Baghdad Pups receives 3-4 new requests from soldiers every week. Please help them to continue their mission."

[Truth2Tell]

6. Thanks! nt