Deceased soldier's dogs flown from Iraq to Mich.

[RamboLiberal]

Source: USA Today

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. — The family of Peter Neesley had one wish to fulfill after the Army sergeant died in Baghdad on Christmas Day.
They yearned to retrieve two stray dogs that he had taken in, and cared for. He was attached to them, and expressed in e-mails and phone calls how he wanted to bring them home to Michigan.

For weeks, the family has fought to have at least that part of Peter's life given back to them.

On Friday afternoon, their wish came true.

As Mama, a black Labrador mix, and Boris, her white-and-brown spotted puppy, hopped out of a minivan, the family ran and knelt in the wet streets to greet them.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-09-soldiers-dogs_N.htm

---

Army Sgt. Peter C. Neesley is seen in Baghdad taking care of Boris, foreground, and Mama. Neesley's family was not surprised to hear he had adopted the two stray dogs outside his military base, because he had always done so in Michigan.


Patrick Neesley, left, and his mother, Carey Neesley, center, pet Boris, one of two dogs who were adopted by Carey's deceased brother, Peter.


Carey hugs Rich Crook, a rapid response manager for Best Friends Animal Society, as Mama, a black labrador mix, is held on arrival from Iraq, Friday, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.

CNN has video: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/02/09/soldier.dogs.home.wdiv

Aww. Just wish Sgt. Neesley could've brought them home himself.

[xchrom]

1. recommend

:applause:

[susankh4]

2. Thanks so much for this!

I am a professional pet rescuer... and this made me cry. To know that other rescuers are making this kind of difference is wonderful!

[geiger]

3. We salute Sgt. Neesley

I'm NOT an animal person, and I would have found a way to take care of these dogs.

[RamboLiberal]

5. Photo of Sgt Peter Neesley

I salute him as well. What a good man!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

7. What a nice face and what a kind man

Typing through tears on this one. Beautiful story but a tragic loss. Great respect and sympathy for his family.

[kstewart33]

4. A great story. I'm sending it around to my vet friends. Thx! nt

[progressoid]

6. Wow.

very nice. A post I feel good about.

[jerryster]

8. Thanks for the wonderful post. n/t

[Botany]

9. I hope this eases the hurt.

A banner welcoming Mama and Boris hung outside of the brick house with red, white and blue balloons tied to a bannister.



Not every boy needs a dog but every dog needs a boy.

[FirstLight]

10. You made me cry in my coffee this morning!

I wish he could have brough them home himself too... and the article said he died on Christmas?

This. war. is. just. wrong.

:grouphug:

My prayers are with SO many of these families, both american and Iraqi alike...

[mnhtnbb]

11. Damned lucky dogs. Condolences to Sgt. Neesley's family.

[ChazII]

12. Thanks for posting his story.

We could use more heart warming stories like this one.

[sandyj999]

13. I Love Happy Endings! n/t

[bronxiteforever]

14. Kick & R-

:patriot:

[bookman]

15. Here's a great version of the story...

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&fps=1&mode=entry&entry=FA3D3099-19B9-B9D5-9DC0160C0FBA533A

Best Friends is a great organization.

[Wilms]

16. Thanks for that link.

[shireen]

29. Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare

thanks for the link to an amazing story.

The "Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare" caught my eye so I googl'd it. Here's some info about it ...
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/feb2004/a020404b.html

Unfortunately, the organization is not getting the support it needs. The article is dated Feb . 7 '07.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/animal_control_in_iraq_needs.html


We all know about the horrific toll to humans in Iraq. But animals are the invisible victims in this horrible war. Some of the past suicide attacks were at pet markets. The veterinarian appointed to run the Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare had to flee because of her collaboration with the US military.

More at
http://www.actionagainstpoisoning.com/page400/page241/cryDogsIraqmistreated.html


How we treat our pets are an important indicator of how much we value and respect life. A society with rampart animal abuse and neglect is a society on the verge of losing its humanity. Most Iraqis are good people, desperately trying to survive with dignity and kindness. But everyone has their limits. Eventually, more and more will become broken souls. I fear for their future, not just in the next few years, but for the future generations that will emerge from this horrible civil war and our occupation of their country. Like canaries in a coal mine, the animals of Iraq are a warning to us of what's to come unless SOMETHING is done to bring peace to these people.

Our country started this catastrophe. It was done with our tax money. I feel so ashamed and sad by it,

But it's stories like the rescue of these two dogs that give me some glimmer of hope.

[Kajsa]

17. What a beautiful story.

I wish Peter could have brought them home, too.
What a great guy he was.

:cry:

My condolences to his family.

:grouphug:

Thanks so much for posting this.

:pals:

[zbdent]

18. This should be bookmarked for the next time you hear some RW freepturd screaming

about how the "liberals" put human life in second to animals ... wave this in their faces and point out that they did it for a soldier's last wish ... too bad for the argument that "liberals"/"Dems" hate the military ...

[navarth]

19. that is so touching on so many levels k/r

this wonderful young man shouldn't have been wasted in Bu$h's illegal war. Frankly we could have used him back here in The D alive and helping at the Humane Society.

[Dangerously Amused]

20. Bittersweet. I would have done the same.

K&R.

[NOLALady]

21. Damn! I hate this fracking war!

[losthills]

22. I sent my kid off to war...

and all I got back was this lousy dog....

Seriously: This is a disgrace.

[Neecy]

23. Beautiful story

But how many 28 year olds die in their sleep? They really don't say much about what happened to him or how he died.

[NOLALady]

26. I don't buy it either.

[LisaL]

37. Exactly.

Why does a 28 year old man die in his sleep?

[leQ]

24. K&R! (eom)

[Wcross]

25. Carey Neesly raised a compasionate & wonderful young man.

I am so glad that she followed his last wishes and brought those guys to Michigan. I salute you Carey Neesly for being a great mother.

( I am going to have to take a "weepie" break now)

[vankuria]

27. Thanks so much for posting this wonderful story

This is a terrific family, through their heartbreak they were able to do somethng wonderful to honor their son. My heart goes out to them, what great people! As an animal lover I've often thought of all the stray, abandoned animals all over this war torn country and it fills my heart with joy to know their are good people out there making a difference.

[sofa king]

28. Let's ship the dogs of war.

[Lithos]

30. Touching

Sad that he couldn't come back and take care of them, but at least his family has this small, living memory to keep.

L-

[roguevalley]

31. dogs can help you keep your humanity, give you a decent thing

to do every day caring for them. lost one life and gained two back. I am so sick over this. I am glad they have the pups. I have my mom's dog and it means a lot to me to have Robby. He's her everytime I look at him.

[Lithos]

39. I'm a cat person

So, for myself, changing what you said to cats/kittens definitely applies for me. However, I fully can understand how important these two dogs were to the family and too am extremely glad to see the reunion.

Side comment. Those people who can't relate to animals in some healthy form or fashion scare me. Example: Huckabee's son. Given that he learned it from his father, that scares me as well.

L-

[MasonJar]

32. A truly heartrending story. What a great man and what anexceptional family.

Thanks for sharing and thanks to all who helped bring the dogs home.

[bitchkitty]

33. I'm crying for Sgt. Neesley. What a wonderful family, so sad

they have lost so much. It hurts extra when it's someone so good, who dies so young...

[Forkboy]

34. This war sucks. What the fuck is wrong with us all?

:(

[east texas lib]

35. It says much about the kind of man he was...

That he could keep that aspect of his humanity alive amidst the chaos and horror of war.
In that environment, would not we all try to hold on to something familiar?

[blayne]

36. Aww...Boris isn't a puppy anymore.

[xxqqqzme]

38. awww, Boris looks like our dog Lucy.

[eridani]

40. A very good story. However--

--please let it inspire us to work for taking in some of the Iraqi refugees that we have made homeless. Particularly those who have suffered by working for us. I'm sure Sgt. Neesley would approve.

[Lugnut]

41. Oh, man.

:cry: