GUARDIANS OF RESCUE NEED YOU HELP: In 2012, a team of 12 American soldiers was deployed to a remote base in Western Afghanistan to serve a yearlong tour. When off duty, soldiers had little opportunity for respite, but one morning, they noticed a stray dog that had wandered onto their campsite. As time passed, this team of soldiers became very fond of the dog who had taken to greeting them like long lost friends when they returned to base from foot patrols. It wasn’t long before she started to follow them out of camp and accompany them on patrols. A camaraderie developed, and soon this brave dog was going out with her team and protecting them from the wild dogs in the area. Her soldier compatriots named her …..Sheba, meaning “promise.” And from then on, they made this loyal girl a promise to keep her safe always. On the 23rd of March, 2013, Sheba gave birth to seven puppies. The Unit worried about her; it was still very cold at night, and giving birth to seven puppies had taken its toll on Sheba. To add to their concern was the likelihood that the puppies would not survive. Staff Sgt. Edwin Caba said, “The most important thing to me is that we saved 8 dogs lives. The mother was very sick after giving birth and our medic took care of her, we went out to feed her 3 times a day, every day then raised 7 pups all at once which is a hell of a job while here in Afghanistan where you barely have free time to yourself, It is truly something that I want more then anything… to get them home”. Some of the soldiers had taken care of dogs on other deployments but had to steel themselves to accept that there was no way to bring them home, and so they sadly left them behind. With Sheba, it has to be different. The hero’s to these dogs are the following: SSGT Caba, Edwin, SGT Rotondi, Alex, SGT Burton, Travis, MAJ Pinckney, Andrew, 1LT Lapenta Joseph. They will be taking all 7 puppies to their homes when they come home(mom is still waiting for a home). The life of a stray dog in Afghanistan is very dangerous . Besides the obvious perils of war, neglect and starvation, dog fighting is an all too common blood sport. Sheba and pups would more than likely fallen victim to abuse. The symbiotic relationship between the team, Sheba and her pups had become more profound than just dog and man. Most of these soldiers served several tours in Afghanistan, and this canine family was helping them get through the dark times that every soldier deployed to a war-torn country must face. The Unit pleaded, “The base is closing and there will be no soldiers there to take care of Sheba and her pups--Cadence, Rocky, Sarah, Jack, Buckeye, Breezy and Harris”. Staff Sgt. Caba contacted Guardians of Rescue with a plea to help get Sheba and her family to the USA. GoR immediately contacted the Nowzad shelter to ask for help in getting Sheba and her pups to safety. In Mid June 2013 we were able to implement a mission that saw Sheba and her family arrive safely at the Nowzad shelter. Sheba’s will, determination and strength made her a steadfast companion to the soldiers she protected. It is also with this strength of spirit that she takes care of her pups. The rations the soldiers gave her helped her to gain weight and become physically healthy enough to nurse her pups. They grew quickly and soon the entire canine family was providing much-needed comfort for the soldiers who were thousands of miles from home and their own families. One soldier lost his home and everything in it during Hurricane Sandy shortly before he deployed. When he left for his tour of duty, his disabled mother and grandmother were still living in a hotel. Sheba and her pups helped to ease the burden he carried. Watching her care for her family during such harsh times, he was reminded that even through darkness, there is hope. In a joint partnership with Nowzad dogs in Kabul and Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue on Long Island, will now work to raise the funds we desperately need to send this family home to be reunited with their soldiers. Each dog will cost $4,000 to arrive to the states. We are asking corporations, groups and individuals to help spare the lives of these 7 pups AND Momma. Your donation could make this happen. Please help us help our American heroes.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 06:06:17 +0000