No Buddy Left Behind: Bringing U.S. Troops' Dogs and Cats Safely Home From the Combat Zone (3 page)

I also want to acknowledge some of the people whose bravery is often unnoticed and unappreciated. These are the folks who stay behind when their loved ones go into a war zone. While collecting hours of taped interviews, I could not listen-or later-write without a box of tissues beside me. Their pride in those who serve our country was clearly evident in their voices, and their quiet courage inspired me. I hope they will feel honored in the telling of their tales. My sincerest thanks goes to Rhonda Beardsley, Danielle Berger, Pam Bousquet, Lorna Brooks, "Jean Mathers," Jolene Matlock, Janet Miller, and Adela Vodenicarevic.

To the U.S. soldiers and civilian contractors who delved into their memories for the sake of this book, I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for how willingly you did so. Most of you have risked your lives under incredibly difficult circumstances. The depth of emotions you visited when recalling painful moments was humbling, and it served to make your funny stories and the laughter we shared that much sweeter. Even though this book doesn't go into detail about the tragic events of people you lost and injuries you came home with, I hope the sacrifices you have made and the courage you have displayed come through these pages loud and clear. Your candor opened my eyes to a world that few people have the nerve to walk into, let alone stay in until the job is done.

I thank the following soldiers and civilian workers for sharing their stories with me: Andrew Bankey, Bruce Bousquet, "Kevin Connors," Erin Kirk, Thomas Liu, Jenni Mann, Matt McDonough, Bryan Spears, "Jessie Walker," Eddie Watson, and the Captain who rescued Mama Leesa.

The volunteers whom I interviewed never failed to prove that human beings are capable of great kindness, enthusiasm, and generosity. I thank them for saving animals, for supporting U.S. troops, and for helping with the production of this book in any way they could. Each person gave freely of his or her time, transporting me from the airport in D.C. to the veterinary hospital and staging kennels, sharing photographs, videos, and memories, and confirming many story details. I'd especially like to thank Dena DeSantis, Barb Hartman, Dave Lusk, Linda Pullen, and Bev Westerman. As their personal accounts unfolded, I was often astounded and always heartened by their selfless actions. Our world truly is a better place for their living examples of love in action. One of the soldiers in this book said it so well: "You guys are the real heroes."

I thank Terri's daughters, Jennifer, Amy, and Megan, for answering so many of my questions. They were instrumental in helping me to better understand their mom and in revealing more of her character as the book developed. Terri never failed to tell me how proud of her daughters she is and rightly so. They've all sacrificed in many ways and have worked hard for the sake of our four-footed friends.

I also salute JD Winston and Stephanie Scott. Although their characters remain mostly in the background of these stories, not one of the Operation Baghdad Pups rescues would have happened without their constant dedication, commitment to, and passion for animals. I thank them for their support, for giving me interview time, and for doing everything they could to ensure that this project was completed by the publisher's final deadline.

The most influential person in the production of this book is hidden behind the pages, yet she deserves to be recognized with boldfaced capital letters and exclamation points. Andrea Hurst, literary agent and manager extraordinaire, is the person who originally approached Terri and convinced her to work in tandem with another writer, ensuring that the story was completed within an incredibly short deadline.

Throughout the writing process Andrea was there for us any time we needed her, day or night. Andrea's professionalism went above and beyond expectation and included her playing the roles of literary manager, editor, coach, cheerleader, mentor, advisor, and go-between. Her humanity comes from a heart that is full of compassion, courage, and great wisdom.

With many years of experience in the literary field, Andrea has earned the respect and friendship of many writers, editors, and publishers. She knew that without time to distance ourselves from the story, Terri and I would need feedback from qualified readers. Andrea rounded up a team of the best reader-critics a writer could hope to work with.

Freely giving their time, these fine authors and editors read the first and second drafts of many chapters. They commented on anything that needed attention, made excellent suggestions for material to include, and encouraged us by their keen interest in the stories. I cannot thank them enough for their hours of intense concentration and great feedback: Katie Flanagan, Brandon LaFave, Audrey Mackaman, Sarah Martinez, and Vickie Motter. What a great team indeed.

Holly Rubino of Lyons Press deserves mention for her wonderful work as editor. She is the person who read the completed manuscript and gave us the benefit of her professional know-how. While Holly held the much-feared red pen in her hand, she wielded that pen with respect and skill. She took a good story that rippled over stones and split course at times, and she made it flow strong like a river that knows exactly where it's going. Holly also worked with Lyons Press designers to come up with a cover that we were proud of. Listening to feedback from Terri, Andrea, and me, she worked hard to make sure that the cover honestly represents the bravery and selflessness depicted in this book. Thank you, Holly.

Turning a manuscript into a published book requires a series of steps that involve more editors and support people than most readers would ever imagine. Writers often dread the scenario of too many cooks spoiling the stew and they pray it won't happen to their precious tome. Terri and I feel so lucky that our manuscript went through the capable hands of Lyons Press editors and designers and onto the desk of Meredith Dias, project editor at Globe Pequot Press. Their combined professional handling of our labor of love and their personal attention to detail has resulted in the book you now hold in your hands or see on your screen. If Terri and I were the parents of this baby, then they were the doctors and nurses who delivered it, and made sure everything went as planned. To all of them we give an enthusiastic "thumbs up."

For supporting me through six months of a writing schedule that started at dawn and often stretched long into the night seven days a week, I have to thank my sweetheart and my rock, Rich Eldredge. The number of times he came home from work to find empty cupboards and uncooked dinners and never complained but instead kept me laughing is worth mentioning here. Rich washed the dishes, did the shopping and laundry, cooked suppers, and took me out for many a meal after long days of running his own demanding business so that I could finish another chapter. My sweetheart could not have been a better partner and friend.

Last of all, thanks go to Jody and Mike Jones of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary in Elverta, California. Their dedication to rescuing over eight hundred golden retrievers a year brought me my foster "old golden" and best buddy, Cherokee. While I was in Iraq helping Terri bring home more soldiers' animals and observing the final stages of Operation Baghdad Pups rescues, Jody and Mike took care of Cherokee at their home.

Throughout the long hours and days of the last six months, Cherokee sacrificed a lot of playtime, she leaned against me when sad-story tears ran down my cheeks, and she made me go out for three walks a day, refreshing my brain with much-needed oxygen. With Cherokee constantly by my side, writing about the stray dogs of Iraq always seemed that much closer to home. Somewhere in the pages of this book, I'm sure her gentle spirit has left its paw print.

Cynthia Hurn

SGT Eddie Watson and his inseparable buddy, Charlie Eddie Watson

hen night was setting in, and the last unit of the 82nd Squadron hadn't returned from patrol duty, it was hard not to imagine the worst. SGT Eddie Watson was stationed at the guard desk, knowing that his men were patrolling in one of the most unstable neighborhoods on the outskirts of Baghdad. Until the previous week his platoon had been lucky. SGT Watson wondered if that luck had worked against the men, perhaps encouraging them to feel almost invincible. On April 28, 2007, reality hit hard when their first soldier made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life to an enemy bullet. Since then, life at the outpost had been pretty grim.

SGT Watson's platoon occupied one portion of an Iraqi police station and shared responsibility for security operations with the police and the Iraqi Army. U.S. military operations took up most of the second floor. When the soldiers reached the top of the stairs, the first thing they saw was the guard desk.

As soon as the familiar sound of boots and voices rose up the stairs, Watson let out a big sigh of relief. Smith came in first, holding a scrap of material that had been wrapped around something about the size of a big baked potato. He laid it on the desk and stood there grinning at Eddie.

"Got a present for you, Watson," Smith said. The Sergeant looked down just as the cloth moved.

"You got a rat in there or something?"

"Naw, it's a puppy. He was hiding in a shelled-out building. When we entered to check it out, he took one look at us and started to follow. We tried to lose him, but he wasn't about to let us go. Stubborn little mutt-a real soldier."

"What's he look like?"

"Damn cute. You'll see."

The guys circled around as Watson began to unfold the material. A flea jumped onto his arm. "Shit, that's all we need-a bunch of those critters in here."

"We couldn't just leave him," Smith said. "Iraqis were all over the place, and they would have kicked his butt if they'd seen him. Besides, he's got guts, this dog. And he's just a little fella."

The Sergeant pulled the puppy out of the tattered folds. A black head, back, and tail, plus a white ruff, chest, and belly made Watson wonder if the dog was a border collie. Black freckles were splattered up and down his legs and snout, and his ears flopped over at the halfway point. His eyes held an inquisitive intelligence, but they didn't disguise his pathetic state. Bone-skinny and covered with fleas, ticks, and filth, the puppy felt hot to the touch and shivered uncontrollably.