A Soldier's Dogs - from Best Friends
http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cf...C0160C0FBA533A
Friday, February 8, 2008
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‘The animals Peter loved are safe’
February 8, 2008 : 12:59 PM ET
Two homeless Iraqi dogs – Mama and Boris – are now safely on American soil thanks to the efforts of a soldier’s family, a U.S. senator, and the Best Friends rapid response team.
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Peter and doghouse
Sgt. Peter Neesley, on his second tour of duty with the U.S. Army, began feeding a mama dog and her two puppies when he patrolled a Baghdad neighborhood. After one of the puppies was hit by a car and killed, Peter built them a red-and-white doghouse – equipped with blankets, a mattress and an Army insignia above the door. He lured the mama dog and her remaining puppy to the doghouse, which he placed just outside the military base wall.
And then he e-mailed his family, sending them photos of the black Lab mix and her white-and-brown spotted puppy, and said he’d decided to fly the dogs home when he returned to the states in six months.
“Our family has always had dogs or cats and other little critters,” says his sister, Carey Neesley. “Peter was always bringing strays home.”
But on Christmas Day, Peter, just 28, died in his sleep in his barracks (no cause of death has been released) before he could send the dogs home. His soldier friends continued to feed Mama and Boris and watch out for them.
Honoring a Soldier’s Wish
From his phone conversations and e-mails, Peter’s family knew how much Mama and Boris meant to him. So, with the help of a network of people on the ground in Iraq and at home in America, Peter’s wish to take the dogs to his Michigan home came true. His dogs left Iraq late on February 6 and landed on U.S. soil the next morning.
Giving his beloved dogs a home has been an emotional boost for the family. “This is the first time I’ve felt truly happy since he died,” Carey says. “It’s the first time I can say I’m excited and looking forward to something. We went out last night and bought the dogs name tags and collars and food.”
Julie Dean, Peter’s aunt, agrees: “It’s wonderful knowing that the animals Peter loved are safe, that we can touch and love animals that he loved. Bringing the dogs home was one of his last wishes.”
Getting Peter’s dogs home was no easy task. The family tried going through official channels and turned to U.S. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan. In the meantime, Kate Schnepel, who works for Best Friends’ Community Programs and Services, learned about the family’s efforts, and that’s when we stepped in to help.
First, we had to find out where the dogs were, then get someone on the ground to look after them, according to Rich Crook, Best Friends’ rapid response manager. After that, we arranged for security, contacted a veterinarian and found an airline. Four weeks later, approval was given and plans were set.
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Rich went to Baghdad on a chartered flight and stayed just an hour and a half – long enough to personally pick up the dogs from Threat Management Group (TMG), a security company that rounded them up.
There had been just one glitch: When TMG arrived in Baghdad, they couldn’t find Boris the puppy. The dogs were still living on their own, and Boris was nowhere to be found. “The security firm had to go back the next day to get the puppy,” Rich says. But not to worry. “We did this a day in advance,” he says, “in case something like this happened.”
Once both dogs were in hand, TMG took Mama and Boris to a veterinarian with the Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare. The dogs were vaccinated and examined. After the vet gave them a clean bill of health, he sent them on their way with the proper international paperwork.
Then, with the help of Gryphon Airlines, a charter company that flies in and out of Iraq three times a week, Rich accompanied the dogs out of Iraq, landing with them at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. From there, Rich and the dogs headed by van to Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan, to meet Peter’s family. (Watch for an upcoming story and photos from the dogs’ first days in the Neesley home.)
Touching Many Hearts
When the dogs left Iraq, the vet who had cared for them sent the family an e-mail. It reads, in part: “This is my job, this is my passion, this is my love. You cannot imagine what I’m feeling now about these dogs.”
The family was notified of the approval to fly the dogs out of Iraq as they were about to place Peter’s cremated remains. “We had a beautiful ceremony on Friday,” Carey says, “and we were walking from the ceremony to the wall where Peter’s ashes were to go when we got the call from Rich. It was an extraordinary moment.”
Peter had been scheduled to return to the states in late July. “He was in the Army for a year, left and came home,” his sister Carey says. “When he was home, one of his friends died over there. He had a wife and two children. He didn’t want anyone else with a child and wife to get killed. Peter re-enlisted. He wanted to go in their place.
“I was always worried about him, whether he was in state or out. He was bitten by scorpions in Texas and a rattlesnake in Georgia and had to have anti-venom shots. Things always happened to him.”
What happened to Peter on Christmas day was unexpected, says his mom, Chris Neesley. “Peter always told me he’d be home.”
Even though she and her daughter are hospice social workers, adjusting to the loss has been difficult. “It’s different when it’s your own,” she says.
Now, with the help of Peter’s Iraqi canine companions, the family is coming to terms with losing him. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” Chris says. “Peter adored those dogs.”
And for Peter’s 10-year-old nephew, Patrick, having Peter’s dogs will help him through his grief. “Peter was like a father to Patrick,” Carey says. “He won’t have his Uncle Peter to call anymore, but he has his dogs to take for walks. It will be good for him.”
Written by Cathy Scott
Photos of Peter and his dogs compliments of the Neesley family.
Photos of Rich Crook and dogs by Molly Wald
Log in to Post a Comment
February 8, 2008 : 8:52 PM ET
posted by: pommom
I read this story and wept. This man named Peter was serving our country and he also rescued two homeless dogs. What an extraordinary human being. God Bless him and his family, and the wonderful folks involved in this rescue. It's the least that could be done for his family and for his legacy. His loss is a tragedy but he didn't die in vain. He saved the lives of two dogs in a war torn country up to the minute of his death. What a incredible story of courage and human kindness exhibited first by Peter and all those he loved and touched in his short life.
God Bless our soldiers and their families. GOD BLESS AMERICA
February 8, 2008 : 8:48 PM ET
posted by: pommom
I read this story and wept. I have four dogs and they are my greatest companions. This man named Pet
February 8, 2008 : 8:15 PM ET
posted by: [email protected]
i saw the article on our channel 6 news in east windsor, nj and i was elated..and so moved....at least your faboulous group which i support.... ,this is so sad ,but also did a great deed....for the brave young man and his family...i am so glad those poor dogs are having a wonderful life, i am in support of those innocent animals who need help,,,i give all the $$$$$ that i can to BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCUARY.....miriam and william blair
February 8, 2008 : 7:12 PM ET
posted by: kittychump
I'm crying now as I write this. Those doggies are living angels - watched over by a 'new' angel who died so young, so far away from loved ones and dear friends. Bless all who made this rescue/homecoming possible. This is what the world should be like - not the way it is.... Prayers for the great soul of Peter, for his dear family and friends - and for his furkids and their furkids. Blessings and healing to all, and once again, so much gratitude to Best Friends!
February 8, 2008 : 6:48 PM ET
posted by: vegemite
Wow, Great job! If only everyone understood how to have a good soul. Having lived in a Mid. East. country myself I fully understand what Peter did.... and then you made his dream come true for his family...
February 8, 2008 : 6:02 PM ET
posted by: bdawgwrangler
Previous post - should have said Rich instead of Russ - sorry Rich - the photo of you and the Iraq dogs is great - great photo Molly - Barb
February 8, 2008 : 5:49 PM ET
posted by: tifroberts
this is definitely a tear jerker. I am so happy for these dogs and the family that are receiving them. Best friends is a godsend to these animals. you are a godsend!!! If it wasn't for your organization-where would these animals be? I live in Michigan and Im a HUGE animal lover. I donate when I can and I can understand why peter wanted to help these animals. There helpless over there. I'm sure there are other animals are stranded over there and I hope they can get out of the war zone. I just donated to baghdadpups.com. This is truly a amazing story and it never ceases to amaze the amazing work that best friends does. You deserve a pat on the back-you are definitely a godesnd to these animals.
February 8, 2008 : 5:43 PM ET
posted by: josie777
What an awesome, amazing story...in a time where you can't even get people to stop when they see a wandering dog on the side of the road who may be lost, it is beyond inspirational to read about how much effort went into getting these 2 dogs to the loving home that awaited them...God Bless all of you involved in this tremendous rescue...and to the most important angel of all, Peter, whose compassion and love for Mama and Boris is a testimony to his wonderful family. We are so sorry for your loss but may Mama and Boris be a daily reminder of the man with the huge heart of gold.
February 8, 2008 : 5:06 PM ET
posted by: bdawgwrangler
A special thank you to Best Friends for stepping up and making this journey possible. Cathy, your story is exceptional. Molly, your picture of Russ and the dogs is great. What a very special act to honor the memory of a true hero. Barb
February 8, 2008 : 3:11 PM ET
posted by: basil21
This story made me cry as well. I have nothing but the greatest respect for Peter and those like him who feel they want to do something good in this crazy world. This is the most touching story I've read in a long, long time. It is so wonderful to hear that the dogs this man loved are in his home and with his family now. And thanks to everyone involved for making that happen.
February 8, 2008 : 12:01 PM ET
posted by: doved04
A lot of us do not believe in the war over there. When I read this story about Peter and his 2 dogs I cried good things do happen sometimes when there is a war this is one of them God Bless you Peter I feel that he knows his dogs are ok. Rest in peace.
