Posted on 02/16/2008 3:31:17 PM PST by Daffynition
When Maj. Brian Dennis first spotted a scruffy German Shepard-Border collie mix at a fort in Iraq, the dog wasn't interested in making friends. The dog, who lived in the wild with a pack of canine companions, had already been through a lifetime's worth of pain and neglect. His ears had been cut off as a puppy, and he had been trained as a fighting dog. Now that he was finally free of his tormentors, the dog just wanted to be left alone.
But Dennis saw something special in the dog, whom he nicknamed "Nubs," because of his missing ears. It took some time, but eventually Dennis had the dog eating out of his hand. One day, when Nubs showed up one day with a deep wound in his side, Dennis nursed him back to health. Soon, Dennis and Nubs were inseparable.
Sadly, Dennis learned that his unit would be forced to relocate to a new base, and he wasn't allowed to bring Nubs along. As he watched Nubs race alongside his Hummer as his unit drove away from the fort for the last time, he was sure that he would never see the dog again.
But two days later, a familiar face turned up at Dennis' new base: Somehow, Nubs had managed to follow the Marine unit through the Iraqi desert on foot, all the way to their new base – 70 miles away.
"I won't even address the gauntlet he had to run of dog packs, wolves, and God knows what else to get here," Dennis wrote. "When he arrived he looked like he'd just been through a war zone."
"Uh, wait a minute, he had."
Even though it was against military protocol, Dennis' unit felt compelled to give the determined dog a home. They built a doghouse for Nubs, but were soon informed by the military police that Nubs would have to live elsewhere. So, Dennis decided to take Nubs home with him. The dog is currently in Jordan, and will soon be sent on a plane to San Diego, where he'll be reunited with Dennis once again.
Dennis looks forward to taking Nubs to play on Dog Beach, feeding him gourmet dog food, and letting him bask in the sunlight, far away from the harsh Iraqi desert.
"He's always been a big dog lover," Dennis' mother, Marsha Cargo, told ABC News. "He's supposed to be this big, tough Marine, but he's really a softy."
bttt
What a great story!
What a GREAT story!
Woof-woof-arrrr-uf.
Would have broke my heart to see him running along trying to keep up :~(
This dog knows who is his friend is. =^..^=
Welcome home soon, Mr. Nubs, sir. Beautiful dog!
^??^
{~~}
ARF!
Awww, I just love dogs. I take my dog to the Dog Beach down in SD and she loves it.
Thanks for the post. I’m going to go love on my doggie now.
Semper Fi!
Thanks so much for the ping, what a wonderful story.
The guy must have been crying like a baby. I would have....
How heartless can some people be. What’s the harm in letting someone keep a dog?
“Would have broke my heart to see him running along trying to keep up.”
Same here. That’s one dog happy to have learned that not all people are cruel. I hope he is quickly reunited with his human.
Thank you, Major Dennis!
No better friend, no worse enemy, Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children.
Perfect match.
That is one kissable doggie nose!
.
Good dog story!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.