Royal Marines rescue dogs from Afghanistan
Following up on the story about Sgt. Neesley this weekend and the comments about Operation Baghdad Pups, here's a story about Royal Marines who saved a pair of dogs in Afghanistan. It's really heartbreaking, but at least it has a happy ending. The Marines have formed a charity to help similar dogs in Afghanistan now.
From Britain's Telegraph
Royal Marines rescue dogs from Afghanistan
Last Updated: 1:28am GMT 07/01/2008
PLYMOUTH Two dogs that were found starving in a cellar by Royal Marines in Helmand province, Afghanistan, are starting a new life in Britain.
The alsatian-cross dogs, pictured with Sergeant Paul Farthing from 42 Commando, based near Plymouth, were flown 3,500 miles to Britain after the Marines who rescued them could not bear to leave them behind.
The dogs, called Nowzad and Tali, lived in a bunker and were fed military rations to build up their strength, before they began their journey to Britain. They now live with Sergeant Farthing. Photo from the Times Online
Leave no man behind is a rule the military tries to live by, but Royal Marines in Afghanistan appear to have adopted an additional principle: leave no dog behind.
A pair of cross-breeds are starting a new life in Britain after Marines from 42 Commando smuggled them across the war-torn country.
The dogs, which were found begging for food, were taken in by the soldiers in Helmand province and spent months living in a bunker, building up their strength on military rations.
When the men ended their deployment they feared for the animals' welfare so they arranged for them to be transported by Afghan people to a rescue centre in Kabul.
The dogs were hidden in the back of trucks for three days, escaping the attention of the Taliban and dog thieves, and had to swap vehicles on several occasions to evade discovery.
After being flown 3,500 miles to England and spending six months in quarantine, the pair, Nowzad and Tali, are living at the home of 42 Commando's Sgt Paul "Penny" Farthing 38, and his wife Lisa, 34.
Sgt Farthing, of Exmouth, Devon, said: "Nowzad and Tali have changed my life beyond all recognition and I know theirs has changed too."
The dogs were found in October 2006 in the town of Nowzad with three other dogs, which the men named RPG, Jen and AK.
Nowzad's ears had been cut off and Tali was carrying six puppies but the men, based at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, Devon, took them in.
In February last year, the troops arranged for the dogs to be transported to the shelter in Kabul. Unfortunately, during the arduous journey, RPG and AK escaped and three puppies were stolen.
Two weeks after arriving in Kabul, Nowzad and Tali were flown to England while Jena was sent to a new home in the US.
The puppies are still being looked after in Afghanistan while new owners are found.
Sgt Farthing added: "They have both come from one of the most dangerous places in the world, where all dogs have to hunt for scraps to stay alive and face the daily abuse of dog fighting or puppy breeding and even dodge military bombs. But they are now living a safe and happy existence."
Sgt Farthing has formed the Nowzad Dogs Charity, which helps rehome stray dogs in Afghanistan and source medical supplies from Pakistan.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Joyful news~! having been a stray myself I know about the hunger and perils faced everyday. I can't image being stray in a war zone! Those marines are a real blessing~but there is still work to do~spreading peace one dog at a time~!