Posted on 02/21/2008 5:18:16 PM PST by fight_truth_decay
"Touchdown" was the first celebratory word in an e-mail Marsha Cargo received from her son Maj. Brian Dennis, after a dog who survived a 70-mile Hail Mary trek through war-torn Iraqi deserts touched down safely in Chicago Wednesday evening.
"We're thrilled," Cargo told ABC News after the dog named Nubs arrived in the United States to a warm reception. "What would the alternative be? We thought this dog was going to be shot."
Waiting for the animal, which Dennis and his unit befriended during months of patrolling Iraqi forts along the border of Iraq and Syria, were a steak dinner and strawberry Pop-Tarts the latter a treat that had become a favorite of the dog during visits by the Marine unit.
Nubs, a wiry German-shepherd-border-collie mix named for nubby ears that were sliced off as a puppy, will stay in Chicago with the family of one of his Marine colleagues until a final hop to San Diego, where a Marine fighter pilot stationed at Camp Pendleton has been given permission to care for the dog until Dennis arrives home from his second combat tour.
The reunion could happen as early as next month, Cargo said.
The dog arrived in the United States by way of Jordan after Dennis navigated the bureaucracy and expenses of transporting the animal out of Iraq, a process that required a series of necessary vaccinations and risky handoffs.
The 36-year-old Marine, trained as a fighter pilot and stationed in Miramar, Calif., befriended the animal during several visits to a fort where Nubs lived with a pack of wild canines as the alpha dog. Dennis recently bid what he thought would be a final farewell to the animal after his unit was relocated 70 miles from Nubs' home fort.
He may have wanted to take Nubs with the unit, Dennis wrote in one e-mail home, but there were too many dogs to rescue and keeping a canine was against the rules.
Iraqi Dog Finds Marine After Miracle Trek
Two days later, Nubs wandered inexplicably in below-freezing conditions into Dennis' new camp, shocking the Marine unit. "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 of the animal's trek. "When he arrived he looked like he'd just been through a war zone."
Iraqi Dog's Miracle Trek Reaches U.S. Soil 1 2 3
And now for this important DOGGIEPING Announcement!
I've lost my list! I did a deep clean of my computer last weekend and I guess inadvertently deleted the folder I kept the ping list in.
I've recaptured a few names from the prior thread about this dog, but if you were previously on my ping list and would still like to be on the list now, please let me know... I'm gonna have to re-build the list from scratch!
Sandrat ping your list
Dog owner here myself. My own dog gets extra loving on Nubs account. LOL
I’m wondering if the SPCA International might have been able to help with the expenses. The cost to transport a dog out of Iraq to the USA is a whopping $4000.
Wonderful story!! Thank you so much!!
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/enemies_of_the_state.html
May 27, 2005
How much has changed in regard to regulations on befriending dogs of war?
Don't worry, there are already people complaining that the Major should be taking care of animals in our country first. Some people are a real piece of work.
Evidently alot.
NUBS IRAQI DOG TRAVELS TO AMERICA
UPDATE FROM E-MAIL GROUP
Hi All:
As most of you have probably heard or seen on tv....NUBS is home in SD and doing great!! Some of us met NUBS at the airport and it was an “Amazing” Experience. The media/press were pretty good and giving him space.....and let me tell you that there were quote a few tv stations and newspapers there. NUBS was a celebrity even before NUBS paws touched ground.
Brian sent me an email this morning ( and a few of you that are on the other email chain ) and he included some great photo’s that were sent by Patty Brooks. The email is at the bottom of this email and the pictures attached.
I have to say once again, that it TOOK ALL OF US.....EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU ON THIS EMAIL...to get this little dog home and I humbly say.....WE DID IT!!! He is this truly beautiful dog...smaller than I thought about 30 lbs but 100% a lover. Once you meet him,and I hope you all get the chance one day...he will grab onto your heart. He was friendly and anxious to get on with his new life here. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP! ALL YOUR LOVE and SUPPORT!!! Brian will be proud to call you all “family and friends!”
Chris and I ended up following the Sjobergs to the local Scripps Park where channel 8 was given an exclusive. They interviewed Chris (Brian’s roommate ) and he did great. Graham (Rancho Coastal Humane Society trainer that Heather W set up ) was there to help the Sjobergs existing dog, Kublai and NUBS get acquainted. (Thanks Graham). Danielle (a friend of mine, one of the key fundraisers and neighbor of the Sjobergs) and her son Ryan were in the area and stopped by to take in the great night. We then headed to Sjobergs house and hung out with them as Nubs got to play in the back yard, hang out with people and get loved on all night long. He was taking it all in and becoming a pet...faster than we all expected!!!!
Great Job Chrissy and Eric......you did great!!!
Well I am off.
Brian did try to call this morning but we missed him. I heard he got a hold of Eric and he was calling to check on NUBS and how his new life in SD was going so far. I know he is missing all NUBS “firsts” but Eric and Chrissy will update him as they take place. SHARE WITH US TOO!!!
Have a great weekend. Here is Brian’s email:
**************************************
Hey all, Well it is official, Nubs is in San Diego living the good life. Here is an
excerpt from Jeff:
Brian,
I just spent half a day with Nubbs in the spot light of craziness. I’m am
amazed at his calm nature and ability to deal with the situation. He is
getting along very well and will be very happy here. I hope you are doing
well and it will be very good to see you home. We will keep you updated on
Nubbs progress, he ate steak tonight and thought it was good. Nubbs was
about to pass out by the time we said good night, I don’t know when I’ve
seen a more tired dog.
Jeff
Attached are some pictures of all the people who made this possible. I owe
a huge debt of gratitude and many, many beers (how’s the Superpalooza coming
rhY?) to so many people, many of which are in these Pictures. Tracey,
Kelly, Chrissy, Eric, Jeff, Jen, Patty, Chris, The Hess’s, Ron, my mom...
too many to list. I heard it was quite a zoo but Chrissy and Eric made sure
Nubs was okay and his well being was the priority during his arrival. I
can’t wait to get home and take him to the beach.
More soon...Brian
(NOTE: Have great pics but do not know how to place into FR (not usual property img) - fight_truth_decay, if someone really wants them could send)
Thanks a lot for the update.
***Bring all our feral dogs of war home now. When I’m elected President, I will bring them home within 60 days.****
Thank you for the update!
I think you needed no update.. ;)
the photos I had are different and taken after landing..
Thanks for sharing yours.
FTD
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