In Iraq, Cochranite helps unlikely friends connect
By: Cori Lee Miller
Under the blazing sun in the dusty city streets of Iraq, dogs go about their usual business of searching for scraps and finding a cool, shady spot to pass the day away.
During these daily activities, strays often cross paths with the thousands of American soldiers currently stationed in Iraq and, a few licks and tail wags later, a friendship is forged.
- Cochrane peace officer Charlene Ruttle has been to the Middle East six times to reunite soldiers with dogs they befriended on duty. Photo submitted
The friendships binding soldiers to these unlikely animal companions are so strong they often want the dogs to return home to America with them.
For Cochrane peace officer Charlene Ruttle, the bonds between soldiers and man’s best friend are stirring and poignant.
So stirring in fact, she’s braved the 44-hour long flights to the Middle East on six different occasions since 2008 to bring these best friends back together.
As part of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) International, Ruttle is one of several team members charged with facilitating the transfer of animals back to America.
“It’s hard to put into words,” said Ruttle of her experiences. “Sometimes I can’t believe I do it myself.”
Back home in Cochrane, Ruttle has 14 years experience as a peace officer specializing in Animal services, and when she was offered the opportunity to go overseas to help animals she jumped at the chance.
Although the American army has strict rules against befriending animals in war zones, some soldiers can’t help themselves and end up taking in the stray cats and dogs they come across.
“They have a chance at life. If the soldiers were to leave them, they’d have no chance. Iraq is not a good place for animals .”
— Dog rescuer Charlene Ruttle
The animals not only provide companionship to soldiers in an foreign land, they help soldiers better deal with the everyday emotional hardships of war. They also help soldiers readjust after they return home.
SPCA International brings both cats and dogs back to America to reunited with the soldiers they have befriended. When picking up the animals, Ruttle first flys into Kuwait and then makes her way into Baghdad to get them.
“When you reach the Middle East, it’s quite the experience,” she said. “People are so welcoming to us. It’s not scary.”
On each trip around, four SPCA International facilitators head out and can bring back four animals each.
SPCA International uses an animal shelter in Kuwait so the animals, usually medium- to large-sized dogs, have a place to stay before they are transferred.
While the animals may not know it, they’re some pretty lucky pets.
“They have a chance at life. If the soldiers were to leave them, they’d have no chance,” she said. “Iraq is not a good place for animals.”
According to SPCA International’s website, as well as other media sources, in response to public outcry about the increasing number of strays on Baghdad streets, the government of Iraq has been running a campaign to deal with the issue. Methods of animal control include using poisoned meat and shooting them with rifles.
SPCA International has condemned the actions as inhumane and is hoping to work towards humane and long lasting solutions with the Iraq government.
Many of the stray dogs who come to America are able to make the journey because they’ve become classified as force protection jobs, giving them a legitimate place in the army.
Although the Middle East is a volatile place, Ruttle said she’s never been scared while on a trip and the rewards far out weigh the risks.
“It’s so rewarding. It’s so exciting,” she said. “You’re helping the soldier, and you’re helping the animals too. And to give them each other, what better way to make a difference.”
Even though some of the animals start out as strays, by the time it’s their turn to make the journey, they’re friendly, well-adjusted pets.
Once the animals are in America, Ruttle says it’s an emotional experience, with lots of hugging, petting and affection for the lucky pets.
“They’re always like, ‘enough already let go of me’ and all I can think is, ‘we made it, we did it,’” she said.
After recovering from the long journey, the animals are finally reunited with their soldiers and spend the rest of their lives in a loving, caring home.
As the only Canadian currently working with SPCA International on Operation Baghdad Pups, Ruttle said the next challenge she’d like to see the organization take on is helping Canadian forces in Afghanistan bring their four legged companions home.
In the first few months of 2010 Ruttle will once again board a plane and embark on another journey to bring more pairs of unlikely pals together for good.
For more information on SPCA international or to make a donation to Baghdad Pups, visit http://www.spcai.org/baghdad-pups.html.
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[...] woman travels to Iraq and brings back dogs whom American soldiers have bonded with. For Cochrane peace officer Charlene Ruttle, the bonds [...]
Operation Baghdad Pups is a wonderful program. Here’s a story about the dogs that were rescued in October: http://www.ilovedogs.com/blog/?p=4210