When a soldier is deployed to the Middle East, it can leave them feeling a bit isolated and lonely. Every once in a while, one of the soldiers is fortunate enough to be found by a furry friend who changes all that, helping to bring them a sense of home and comfort. That’s exactly what happened with U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jay, when he was befriended by a gentle and sweet stray golden retriever he would go on to name Bravo.
“We owe it to these soldiers who give up so much to help them as much as we can,” said Derek Cartwright, U.S. Army veteran and international logistics coordinator for Paws of War. “Staff Sergeant Jay isn’t asking for a lot here, he just wants his best friend to be protected and live out the rest of his life with him in the U.S. We can certainly all pull together to make this a beautiful success story.”
Staff Sgt. Jay has dedicated nearly a decade of his life to the U.S. Army. While on his third overseas deployment to the Middle East, he was on a phone call back home when a stray dog befriended him. The dog, a golden retriever, wasn’t the typical type of stray dog that people see roaming in the area. It made no sense to see a dog like that walking around, barely surviving, as he looked for scraps and a friendly face. But he found one in Staff Sgt. Jay and the two immediately began to bond.
Naming him Bravo, his continued presence near Staff Sgt. Jay brought him comfort and the two became best friends. When it came time to head back to the U.S., he couldn’t imagine leaving Bravo behind, in a country that doesn’t treat stray dogs kindly. His wish was to take Bravo back home with him, so he reached out to Paws of War with a plea for help. Leaving him behind ensures a life of struggle and mistreatment, and that’s not something he can live with.
“Bravo became a part of my daily routine. We stayed so close together,” said Staff Sgt. Jay. “He’s such a kind dog. We don’t know where he came from or why he was alone on those streets struggling to survive, but we do know that we can make his future better. I sincerely appreciate everyone helping to get Bravo, and I reunited, so he can live out a comfortable life with me in America.”
Paws of War jumped into action to help answer the soldier’s plea and get Bravo to America. The plans and cutting through all the red tape to make it happen are underway, but it is a costly mission, and they need the support of those in the community to help make it happen. To answer the plea, help save Bravo, and reunite the two, visit the site: https://www.pawsofwar.org/?form=HelpSaveBravo
Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in a variety of ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large, loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org.
