Happy News by Valigator

[Valigator]

Iraq

When the temperature regularly exceeds 120 degrees, asphalt and concrete streets tend to be a tad toasty on the toes - even through tough combat boots. The norm for all who work outside in Iraq this time of year is to be hot or very hot - no one could really blame another for panting from the heat. But imagine if the job also entailed treading on the baking paving- barefoot.


Until now, such has been the daily duties of Sweep, Scratch, Bob, Will, Jess, and Muttley.


They are the six English Springer Spaniels whose security detail work is that of checking vehicles for explosives. Their duty stations are the entry points for the high walled, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division and the Project and Contracting Office compounds in the International Zone (IZ) in Baghdad, Iraq. This is the organization leading the massive Iraq Reconstruction effort of over 3,000 projects upgrading and improving the Iraqi infrastructure.


Though canine they be, these faithful few serve and protect as diligently as their human partners. And like the soldiers and security professionals with whom they work, they should receive care packages from home as well.


This very thought originated in the conscientious mind of activated Navy Reservist, Commander Renay Wilson who has been in Iraq nearly six months now. A Department of Defense employee as a civilian, she works as an Equal Employment Opportuny Officer at McChord Air Force Base in the State of Washington when not deployed. In the IZ she is the Deputy of the Program Analysis and Integration Office.


Not long ago, she contacted her friend Brenna Hargraves, a veterinarian technician at the Banfield Animal Hospital, and described "in-country" working conditions - sometimes harsh for both man and beast. As a result the Wild Side Pet Store and the Petz Edge catalogue ordering company for the Banfield Hospital in the PetsMart organization - all of Puyallup, WA - recognized a need and "doggedly" proceeded to resolve it.


The result was several boxes of highly applicable products for the specific use by this pack of four legged protectors - who each wear what appears to be a perpetual smile - along with their much more serious acting comrades, Max, Frodo, Kai and Jake, the German Police perimeter attack dogs.


Included were booties to protect their feet, grooming brushes, anti-itch shampoo, ophthalmic eye drops and ointment, pet wipes, cooling blankets, toys, and treats. Accompanying these kind and welcome gifts were several notes written by hospital staffers and their children - all which will be answered by the security officer handlers who so dutifully care for their dogs.


During the opening of the priority mailed boxes, Sweep, representing his fellow dog-faced troopers, eyed a particularly attractive rubber bone and claimed it with quick clamp of his canines. One not to speak with his mouth full, his expressive brown eyes fully expressed his gratitude!