Paw Prints: The dogs, cats our service members cannot leave behind

Separated from their homes, families and pets, it's not unusual to hear stories about our military men and women falling in love with one of the many stray dogs or cats that attach themselves to our troops. About six months ago, a plea from U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nick Vallejo about "his" dog, Bane, reached Tory Mittler's inbox. Mittler is a volunteer for Lorain County Dog Kennel and Fido's Companion. Vallejo wrote that shortly after arriving in Afghanistan, a stray dog began seeking him out at breakfast. Beyond sharing his bacon each morning, Vallejo shared his heart with the dog whose ears and tail had been partially cut off by inhumane locals. Let that sink in for a minute. He spoke with his wife, Emily, about bringing the 3-year old Lab-collie mix home, then began raising the $5,000 fee through an organization called NOWZAD. Since 2007, NOWZAD has helped service members raise funds to get cats and dogs to their homes in the U.S. UK, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, Jordan, Thailand and South Africa. The organization has saved 1,600 animals from dire circumstances in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, Syria and Libya. Those abused dogs have saved U.S. troops, too. Vallejo said Bane often sat night watch with members of his platoon and noticed movement near their combat outpost or on a nearby ridge, faster at times than the soldiers themselves. Between shifts, Vallejo sent emails to family, friends and strangers asking for donations to get Bane to safety in the U.S. He recalled a feeling of awe the morning he saw that more than $1,000 had come in overnight. A good deal of that funding was raised by Fido's, Erie Shores Humane Society and followers of LCDK. By May, funds were sufficient to get Bane off the streets and to NOWZAD's shelter in Kabul. Bane actually made it to the U.S. before Vallejo's tour ended. Bane arrived in July and has been living with Emily. Vallejo said the transition was easier because he had begun teaching Bane how to walk on a leash and other normal dog behavior while still in Afghanistan. Vallejo and his platoon returned to the United States two weeks ago. The dog recognized his soldier immediately, making for a joyful reunion. He laughs without a shred of jealousy when talking about how Bane has become a "mama's boy." From Vallejo's perspective, "It's great knowing I saved a life. With Bane back in the states and my platoon adjusting to this pandemic and normal life again, I know for a fact he is saving theirs." Fido's Executive Director Michelle Reichlin is unstoppable in her quest to get dogs out of shelters, especially those with medical issues, and into the arms of loving adopters. Though the local need is great, her big heart ached for the other Banes still in Afghanistan. The organization now runs parallel fund-raising campaigns. The organization has worked to get Sher to Fido's from Afghanistan. Sher and his siblings were only a few days old when they came to Nowzad as orphans. The pups were so young, they needed to be hand reared. Now 7, Sher has spent his entire life at the Nowzad shelter. Staff say Sher is everyone's friend and gets on well with other dogs at the shelter. Sher will arrive in the U.S. later this month and Reichlin has made arrangements to get him to Avon and then to a family. They also took on some fund-raising for a dog named Charlie and a puppy named Chonk who are wanted by two soldiers. By now, most of us have read stories about military working dogs and the effort to reunite them with their handlers when they are retired from service. NOWZAD's work is different. The cats and dogs they save are strays or surrendered because local families cannot care for them. Many have been viciously maimed. You can see for yourselves on NOWZAD's facebook page. Vallejo told me the Kabul shelter is full and with troops being drawn down, the situation for the animals is precarious. I'm willing to bet that whether you love cats or dogs, you would happily abandon the argument overwhich makes a better pet in order to help one be reunited with the service member who is trying to get him or her stateside. As Vallejo said, "If people can just come together and bring back all those animals left in Afghanistan imagine how much saving we can do in the world. One small act of kindness can change everything and my story pretty much proves it." Veterans' Day is next week. What a perfect time to show our appreciation for those who have served and are serving. Here is where you can help, and I hope you will. To help get Charlie and Chonk to the U.S., donate here: shorturl.at/knKN3. For those who prefer to donate through Fido's, mail a check to P.O. Box 518, Avon OH 44011 and make sure Charlie & Chonk are put in the memo line. To learn more about NOZAD www.facebook.com/nowzadrescue. To see the cats and dogs that they have available for adoption: https://www.nowzad.com/adoptions To donate to the local dogs Fido's is caring for, mail checks to the address above. If you have ideas for stories about pets, send them along. Michele Murphy looks forward to sharing them with her readers. Contact her at avonlakemurphy@gmail.com.