A rescued Afghan dog brought to the United States needs help for his final trip: home to his “adopted” soldier.
Photo courtesy Guardians of Rescue
A volunteer pilot with Pilots N Paws contacted us at the suggestion of one of our valued partners, the Michigan Humane Society. We get all kinds of requests for help at Pets for Patriots. Some can be dispatched by simply providing information and resources. Others, like this one, require the help of our friends.
Last fall, an Army soldier rescued a dog he befriended in Afghanistan. Trigger, the dog pictured here, is currently in New York after having completed his quarantine period. He’s ready to be reunited with his soldier, who has finally returned home to Washington state.
Pilots N Paws is flying Trigger to his adopted veteran, but has a few legs of the trip for which they have no transport. One of the pilots, a lovely man named Darin, had been in Afghanistan when this story unfolded and it’s near to his heart. He contacted our executive director to see if and how we can help. Although we don’t get involved in pet transport, we offered to get out the word because we know we have the most wonderful, engaged and generous fans!
Anyone who can fly or drive the following trip legs is encouraged to contact Meredith at Guardians of Rescue, the organization orchestrating Trigger’s adoption.
Because the soldier has a small window of opportunity to attend to various personal matters, Pilots N Paws is aiming for the entire trip to occur within the first two weeks of March. If you can help – please contact Meredith directly (contact information below). If you cannot help directly, please share this story widely in the hopes that one of your contacts – or their contacts – can. Let’s get this soldier and his honorably adopted dog together!
If you are able to fly, drive or even provide transport by a commercial airline, these are the legs of the trip that remain open:
- Riverhead NY (KFOK) > State College PA (KUNV): 238nm (nm = nautical miles)
- State College PA (IUNV) > Mansfield, OH (KMFD): 213 nm
- Pierre SD (KPIR) > Miles City MT (KMLS): 267 nm
- Miles City MT (KMLS) > Helena MT (KHLN): 253 n
Please DO NOT contact us; we are merely trying to get out the word to help reunite a soldier with his dog. Meredith can be reached by email at meredith [at] guardiansofrescue [dot] org and by phone at 248-941-9186.
I posted this to me Facebook wall (www.facebook.com/RonKlopfanstein). I could come up with $20 toward gas. I know it’s not much, but if I would help, I’d gladly donate it. Contact me, if interested, on Twitter or Facebook or email: RonKlopfanstein@yahoo.com
Thank you, Ron; as of today, Trigger is on his way to his soldier courtesy of a grant from another not-for-profit organization!
to all who are involved in this wonderful effort to bring these beautiful dogs to the states, you have my utmost respect and gratitude! I live in oklahoma, where I have rescued and found homes for many dogs and cats. If you ever needed a foster home for any of these dogs, or help transporting them, I would love to help out! keep up the good work! pam north / 405-373-1696
Thank you, Pam!
I want to travel the country and hug every single one of you that has offered to help Trigger in his journey home, every person who has shared this story, and every person who has wanted to help has restored my faith in humanity. I am trying to get back to everyone as fast as I can. We are trying to make his trip as short as possible, and I will update everyone once I have a definite solution. You are all angels on earth!
An employee at American airlines saw the post on Pets for Patriots & has offered free travel for Trigger and 1 person.. BUT (ugh) he is too big for most flights (He’s 75 pounds). The closest I can get him to San Francisco on a direct flight…
I have 2 Guardians willing to drive with me from San Francisco to Seattle (It’s 17-18 hours) If we split it between the three of us we can sleep on the road in the car.
If we go this route, he will start the journey home on the 9th and arrive in Seattle on the 10th…. unless someone wants to help with San Fran to Seattle 🙂
Do we have any takers for this guy?
Let’s get him back to his Battle Buddy!