Air Force helps Iraqi dog immigrate (Nice Story for Dog Lovers!)

Air Force News Service ^ | 3 June 2003 | A1C Stephanie Hammer

[PhiKapMom]

Air Force helps Iraqi dog immigrate

by Airman 1st Class Stephanie Hammer
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- A German shepherd of Iraqi descent arrived here May 30 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III after putting his life on the line to guard U.S. special forces.

Fluffy, a dog from northern Iraq with visible scars, will retire at Fort Bragg, N.C., as an honorary military working dog.

When Fluffy first joined Sgt. 1st Class Russell Joyce, a special forces soldier and Fluffy's trainer, he weighed about 31 pounds and was missing his front two bottom teeth. But after only two weeks, he was put to work.

Fluffy, who takes no apparent offense to his unlikely name, was an "immeasurable success" as a military working dog.

"I asked the Kurdish (fighters) if we could have a dog," said Joyce. The Kurds brought him "Tariq Aziz," named after Iraq's deputy prime minister, but the name did not last long.

"I was joking around, and I said, 'you know what, I'm going to call him Fluffy. My dog's name is Fluffy,'" said Joyce. "One person started calling him that, myself, and two people started calling him that; it just stuck."

The full-breed shepherd began his career learning a few simple commands before becoming a guard and pursuit dog.

"Having a person on roving patrol is a great thing, but adding the sense of smell and the sense of hearing that a dog has really heightened the sense of awareness to early detection," said Joyce.

"He's been in harm's way and shot at more times than anyone on my team," Joyce said. "He proved himself to be a worthy asset. He means a lot to me because we definitely went through a lot over there together."

Eager for retirement, Fluffy arrived in the United States escorted by Maj. Jim Pompano from the 615th Air Mobility Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., who happened to be returning home from the area.

Pompano was able to make sure the dog's transition went smoothly.

"We waited until all the t's were crossed and the i's were dotted and we had the proper paperwork, then we got the dog home," Pompano said. "I just happened to be leaving at the same time, so I decided the best thing I could do was just escort Fluffy (to the United States)."

Although Fluffy did not like the takeoff or landing much, Pompano said he did pretty well on the flight home.

"I talked to Fluffy just like I would talk to anyone else," he said. "He was pretty well trained, and I didn't have any problems there."

Fluffy was greeted on the flightline by his supporters who sent hundreds of e-mails, letters and made phone calls supporting his safe immigration to the United States.

"I think that America as a whole had a big hand in this, and it's really a gift from the United States to me and a gift to Fluffy to be able to come home," said Joyce. "This dog really gets the opportunity for a fresh start here." (Staff Sgt. Marcia Triggs, Army News Service, also contributed to this story.)

[PhiKapMom]

Another feel good news story brought to you by the United States Air Force!

[PhiKapMom]

Another feel good story from Iraq!

[dixiechick2000]

Thank you for this post! I was wondering what happened to Fluffy.

Glad to see he made it here! He is a welcome and, most important, legal immigrant.

[Dog Gone]

He looks much better from the last photo I saw. WOOF!

[joesnuffy]

"Having a person on roving patrol is a great thing, but adding the sense of smell and the sense of hearing that a dog has really heightened the sense of awareness to early detection," said Joyce.

Amen to that... Ownded GSDs every since I got back.. Big Hooah Fluffy... Good Dog!

[Captainpaintball]

Damn it! ENOUGH with the immigrants! I suppose us taxpayers have to pay for its shots, licensing, and vet bills.

[IowaHawk]

I doubt you'll see this story repeated if we invade North Korea.

Dog... It's What's For Dinner!

[freedom44]

great post! Thanks :)

[PhiKapMom]

We see so many crummy stories, I have started looking for the feel good types!

[ChuckSnow5]

Well Done Fluffy.

I hope his "Vet." healthcare is better than our "Vet." healthcare. :)

[upchuck]

Fluffy BUMP!!

[gcruse]

Great story. But only a nitwit would call that dog Fluffy!!!

[Gigantor]

"CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- A German shepherd of Iraqi descent arrived here May 30 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III after putting his life on the line to guard U.S. special forces.

"He's been in harm's way and shot at more times than anyone on my team," Joyce said. "He proved himself to be a worthy asset. He means a lot to me because we definitely went through a lot over there together."

Fluffy was greeted on the flightline by his supporters who sent hundreds of e-mails, letters and made phone calls supporting his safe immigration to the United States.

"I think that America as a whole had a big hand in this, and it's really a gift from the United States to me and a gift to Fluffy to be able to come home," said Joyce."

What's with all the hub bub over a 'stupid dog' right Texas Eagle? If the "stupid dog" is trapped behind a glass door in a smokey room it Joyce should do nothing to save it, and just watch it die, right Texas Eagle?

[whereasandsoforth]

No, No, Fluffy! That's the former First Lady. Get off her leg. If you lay with dogs you gotta get fleas.

[dixiechick2000]

Ya' think "Tariq Aziz" is better?

Oooh, for a Shepherd, maybe it is...;o)

[Bellflower]

Love them dog stories. Thanks!

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! Thanks for the post and ping, PKM ! I like it! I like it! :O)

[Texas Eagle]

"CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- A German shepherd of Iraqi descent arrived here May 30 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III after PUTTING HIS LIFE ON THE LINEto guard U.S. special forces.

2 questions:
A) Did Fluffy KNOW he was putting his life on the line?
2)Does Joyce think Fluffy's life is more valuable than a firefighter's?

[Texas Eagle]

If the "stupid dog" is trapped behind a glass door in a smokey room it Joyce should do nothing to save it, and just watch it die, right Texas Eagle?

I thought of a better reply.

4 questions:

1) How would I know?
B) Who do I look like?
3)Miss Cleo?
D) Why don't you write Joyce a letter and aks him if he thinks Fluffy's life is more valuable than a firefighter's?

[Monster Zero]

An excellent story.

Ping for Mrs. Sooner, I hear she's a dog lover...