In The News: Recent Happenings
Rescue Underway for Security Dog That Served Three U.S. Units in Iraq March 11th 2008
Socks is a true American hero who deserves to be rewarded with a new life in the United States.
Washington, DC March 11th – A harrowing rescue is underway for Socks, a four-year-old black dog with white paws, shown above with his most recent military unit stationed in Western Iraq. SPCA International’s Terri Crisp, Program Manager for Operation Baghdad Pups, is flying to Baghdad to personally escort this special military hero to his new home in the United States. Operation Baghdad Pups is sponsored in part by online pet product retailer, I Love Dogs, Inc.
Socks has a special story, but SPCA International and the unit determined not to leave him behind only knows half of it. “My team got Socks when we took over this Coalition Outpost from another unit. The outgoing unit explained that Socks was the outer perimeter guard and a true asset. He quickly became one of the guys,” explains the soldier who first contacted SPCA International for help and who will adopt Socks when he returns from duty.
Socks, an Iraqi mutt from the streets, was given state-of-the-art training by the previous units he befriended and served. At the Coalition Outpost where he lives, the bathrooms are located outside the sleeping quarters. When night falls, Socks lies outside the barrack doors and waits until a soldier needs to use the bathroom. Socks escorts each soldier through the night, ears perked for any sign of danger. Then Socks patiently waits until the soldier is finished and carefully escorts him back to safety inside the barracks.
The men even call Socks their K-9 soldier and count him as one of their unit – 21, including Socks. SPCA International believes Socks has been serving our U.S. units for over 3 years, but the military is now abandoning this Coalition Outpost. “When you walk outside, he’s always there in the middle of the night to provide that extra comfort and safety,” says the soldier. “He’s really protective of the U.S. guys here. Ultimately, he’s part of the family and we couldn’t leave him behind.”
SPCA International is interested to find out more about Socks’ story and, although he already has a committed home, they hope Socks can also be reunited with some of the soldiers who first adopted and trained him when he was just a pup.
“Socks is a perfect example of why Operation Baghdad Pups was founded,” says Scroggs. “He is a true American hero who deserves to be rewarded with a new life in the United States for the service and the friendship he gave so many of our troops.”
Socks and Crisp are scheduled to arrive at Dulles International Airport at 6:30am, Thursday, March 13th. Socks will travel to Savannah, Georgia to live with his soldier’s sister until the unit finishes their tour.
