Ratchet the puppy has been examined by a U.S. vet and pronounced “in excellent health.”
Ratchet wagged his tail to greet the vet, and whimpered while getting his shots, but didn’t bark at all. He’ll now complete the final leg of his journey to Minnesota, where Sergeant Gwen Beberg’s parents will pick him up in anticipation of Sgt. Beberg’s return from Iraq next month.
Ratchet encounters grass for the first time
Operation Baghdad Pups, the SPCA International program that arranged Ratchet’s trip, has now transported 63 servicemembers’ animals to the U.S.
Sgt. Beberg credits Ratchet with getting her through her deployment, and OBP coordinator Terri Crisp said she hopes Ratchet’s story will lead to some dialogue with the military. Defense Department regulations prohibit active-duty servicemembers from caring for animals in-theater.
Ratchet, of course, has no idea he’s a media star at the center of a controversy. Right about now, I’m guessing, he probably knows he’s loved.
Update: Ratchet has arrived in Minnesota, where he’ll stay with Sgt. Beberg’s parents until her return (Patricia Beberg greets Ratchet in the photo below). Sgt. Beberg plans to certify Ratchet as a therapy dog so she can take him “to nursing homes, schools, hospitals, the VFW, military retirement homes, and other places to spread his joy and love.”
