In late December, US Army personnel stationed in the Middle East responded to urgent cries coming from a nearby area of their base.
The source of the distress was two small puppies struggling in an oil pit used for vehicle maintenance. A few weeks earlier, the soldiers had noticed a litter of five young dogs roaming near the compound.
“It was cold and wet, and they were scavenging for anything to eat,” said US Navy veteran Smith. The military has withheld the names of the soldiers and the exact location for security reasons.
Initially, the pups were shy and hesitant. Soldiers offered milk and tuna scraps, but the dogs kept their distance.
The situation shifted dramatically after the oil-pit rescue. The Canaan-mix puppies, now about five months old, continue to linger near the base. To protect them, an American nonprofit is working to bring the litter to the United States.
“With conditions changing on the ground daily and international flights being canceled, each rescue takes more time and money,” explained Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War, an organization that helps service members reunite with animals they rescue overseas.
Paws of War is currently arranging the relocation of roughly 30 animals, primarily from the Middle East, with costs for each transfer reaching up to $10,000. Misseri predicts it could take about two months for this particular litter to reach the US. The group has already faced cancellations of five flights due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
“Considering the risks our troops face every day, we are committed to making these rescues a reality,” Misseri said.
Sgt Lee, one of the soldiers involved in the rescue, said it would be a major relief to see the puppies safely in America. She hopes to adopt one of them, named Akila, when she returns home.
“I just want to give her the life she deserves—a real puppy life, not a fight for survival,” Lee said.