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."
Always amazing when they do that. I know a true story about one that traveled through two towns to get back to the home they had moved from!
Guess he didn’t like the new home, lol.
God bless you Nubs, and your Human. ;)
Not sure if this was the same dog, but they had a news clip on the other night telling about a family waiting for “their” dog to arrive from Iraq. Hope it was this one, and he made it through safely. May the worst of his life be behind him, and nothing but blue skies, soft beds, good food, and loving hands be his future.
So sweet of that Marine to do this. Don’t yell at me for calling a Marine “sweet”. It takes a real man to be confident enough of his manhood to show his softer side.
They're stricter than our immigration laws for people, I'll tell you that.
A heart-warming story to be sure and seems that this dog and Marine were destined to change each other’s life. Good stuff.
What a sweet face and a great story. Thanks for posting and thanks to Hair of the Dog for the ping.
Wonderful story. Thank you for posting it.
Great story, thanks!!! :]
Sounds like Nubs would make a top notch search and rescue canine.
He’s such an independent thinker ... I hope special precautions were taken while he was in Jordan awaiting immigration. I have visions of him bolting without warning. ;)
Major Brian Dennis is home in SD.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20080322-0808-nubs.html
Love this story..
March 22, 2008, Camp Pendleton, California, USA_Marine Major BRIAN DENNIS greeted "Nubs" the 2-year-old mixed breed dog he rescued from Iraq. DENNIS was just returning to Camp Pendleton from a 7-month deployment in Iraq and was reunited with "Nubs" (the name comes from the dog's stubby ears). Mandatory Credit: photo by Scott Linnett/San Diego Union-Tribune/Zuma Press. copyright 2008 San Diego Union-Tribune
Did you read about the elephant and the self portraits. Amazing
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