four-legged soldier - bring Indy home

Jamiya · Feb 26, 2005

Subject: 4-legged soldier in Afghanistan wants to come home

Dear Friends and Family,

As most of you know, I am one of the directors of 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com,
a non-profit web-based pet adoption charity. A couple of weeks ago I
was contacted by a soldier in Afghanistan who needs help. Cpl. David
Phares of the U.S. Army is a brave man who has been away from his wife
and six kids for seven months now, bravely fighting the real war on
terror (you know, the one we never hear about?) in Kabul. Shortly after
he arrived in Afghanistan, Cpl. Phares was befriended by a stray puppy
who just wandered up to the gates of Camp Black Horse, where Phares is
based. The entire unit adopted this dog as their own, and Cpl. Phares
named him Indy, after his home state of Indiana. It may sound strange
to some people, but this dog has truly become more than just a pet; he
has become a fellow soldier, a family member, a true friend, and,
perhaps, a little piece of home for these soldiers. Indy has given them
just a little bit more incentive to get back to the base safely each
night. He greets them with that puppydog exuberance when they return
from their exhausting missions-imagine how wonderful that must be to men
who otherwise wouldn't have any kind of warm physical contact. I
believe it is no exaggeration to say that Indy has helped these men
maintain their humanity and their sanity.

Cpl. Phares is leaving Afghanistan in a few months, and he desperately
wants to take Indy home with him. He has complied with all the
Department of Agriculture's standards-Indy is up-to-date on all his
shots and he's being neutered this month. Unfortunately, it will cost
about $3000 to ship him home, and David Phares doesn't have that kind of
money. When he contacted me, I offered to help him raise the funds he
needs through our organization's website. I don't know about you, but I
can't stand to think of this man having to get on a plane home without
his faithful dog. By the way, Cpl. Phares' commanding officer, Marine
Col. John Wemett, tells me that there is a huge problem with stray dogs
in Afghanistan. Since the people there are struggling just to make ends
meet, many of them have had to turn their dogs loose, unable to afford
another mouth to feed. They roam in wild packs and often suffer quite
violent ends. If Indy is left behind, he will certainly face this same
fate. Imagine the heartbreak Cpl. Phares will feel if he is forced to
abandon his friend to the streets of Kabul.

Our organization has committed to raising the funds needed to bring
Indy home. 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity,
and all donations made on our website are tax-deductible. You can also
get the whole story at www.1-800-save-a-pet.com
<http://www.1-800-save-a-pet.com/> by clicking on the "Please help"
box with the picture of Cpl. Phares and Indy (right below the box with
the picture of Drew Barrymore). Let's face it--$3000 is a not an
enormous sum of money. If enough people contribute just $5 or $10, we
will raise this money in no time at all.

I know there are much larger, more urgent matters in the world. This
just happens to be the one I can help with, so I choose to take action
and make a difference in this small way. I believe if everybody did the
little things they could, this world would be a much better place.
Please go to
https://secure2.convio.net/sap/site/Donation?ACTION=SHOW_DONATION_OPTIONS&CAMPAIGN_ID=1341

to see a photo of Cpl. Phares and Indy, and to make your secure donation
now. Thank you!

P.S. Please feel free to forward this email to your friends. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Use the URL near the bottom of the quote to go to a page where you can make a donation, if you feel moved to do so.

dogangel · Feb 26, 2005

Jamiya, I can't possibly imagine not doing anything to bring this brave man's furchild back home with him!!!
I'm asking for your permission to crosspost his story!!!

lil96 · Feb 26, 2005

Jeez that is crazy how much it costs! Is he getting a private person to bring him home? When I looked at prices for flying Luterh and Dale most airlines were about the same, if I flew with them it would be about $100 and if i just shipped them with the airline, it would be $200, but to fly him with a carrier service, it was between $1800-$3000. I am positive that there is a discount for armed sevices people's dogs (at least there are certain things coming and going to Germany, where the people and belongings, pets included get free or very cheap rates.) But I hope he is able to bring his puppy home!!! I just would like to know why it costs so much? Is it bc of layovers?
If we had any extra money right now, I'd help, but I can only offer advice on this I know how difficult it is to worry maybe your pet can't come.

Jamiya · Feb 26, 2005

I don't know why it is so expensive. I hope it's not a scam. But I gave a little bit of money and as the post says, every little bit - even $5 - helps. I'm sure you can crosspost.

lil96 · Feb 27, 2005

That would be very sad if it is fake that really tears at the heartstrings of people. Maybe I can steal hubby credit card and sneak in a few dollars!

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