Animal lovers show support for military by making it possible for soldiers to bring their mascots home.
Dusty was a young thing, but she knew how to get noticed by the right people. American Army soldiers patrolling an oilfield near Kirkuk, Iraq in the spring of 2003 took her on board as she scampered up to their Humvee and soon she was a fixture at camp.
Like other dogs and cats befriended by the troops, Dusty had to be kept under wraps: officially orders were clear. No pets allowed. An Army Captain sought to make arrangements to send Dusty, then a four month-old, home to his wife and kids but even when he found a sympathetic official ear, the astronomical $4,000 price tag made rescue out of the question.
Enter Betty Buckley from Massachusetts. When she heard about the situation, she took it upon herself to raise the money for to bring Dusty home. In the process she founded Military Mascots: http://militarymascots.org/index.html.
Operating with donations, Military Mascots sends care packages to provide for the strays who’ve given so much comfort to their soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. When a soldier requests funds to help with transport, Buckley goes to work soliciting donations through her website even making arrangments, if necessary, through her nationwide network of volunteers for the pet to be met at customs and transported to its soldier’s home or a temporary foster home.
In the beginning Buckley was careful not to call attention to her group, refusing to issue press releases and grant interviews lest she draw unwelcome attention from military brass causing a crackdown on the troops who’ve shown such kindness to their former strays.
Her group also supports working military K9s, sending care packages filled with treats, toys and Kongs when donations permit.
To get involved or make a donation, refer to: militarymascots.org.
Great story. I like the way you write. Keep it up.
Beth