Soldier Seeks Nesconset Nonprofit's Help In Rescuing Dog

NESCONSET, NY — An army specialist has turned to a Nesconset nonprofit for help in bringing the dog he found while stationed overseas back home with him. Specialist Al, after finding Laila when she was barely alive, is seeking to bring the dog to the United States with him.

Paws of War, in a news release, asked for donations to help Specialist Al save Laila.

"The pain of having to leave a dog or cat behind that you have rescued while serving is unbearable," said Derek Cartwright, a disabled veteran who is the stateside logistics coordinator at Paws of War. "Soldiers are asked to sacrifice and endure so much when they are serving. The anguish I felt when I had to leave my rescued dog behind made my transition to civilian life so much harder. If I had only known about Paws of War, my life would be different."

Paws of War accepts donations of any size to help soldiers bring their rescued animals home with them following their deployment.

Specialist Al, who is stationed in a remote area overseas, was walking near the base when he heard a whimpering noise coming from a box. He discovered a puppy with her mother nowhere to be found. Someone had abandoned the puppy in the frigid winter temperature, and she was cold and near death when she was found, according to Specialist Al.

He took the puppy inside to warm her up, feed her, and name her Laila. After a good meal and a feeling of safety, Laila curled up with Specialist Al and went to sleep. From that moment on, they formed an inseparable bond.

He has since been told he is being deployed to a new location, and he can’t bear the thought of leaving Laila behind in such harsh conditions where she will surely die, according to Paws of War. Specialist Al reached out to Paws of War to see if it can pull off the mission of helping to get Laila to his family in the United States, where she can live out her life as part of his family.

"I love this dog and can’t imagine leaving her here to fend for herself," Specialist Al stated via news release. "I heard that Paws of War helps with situations like this and it’s such a relief to me, and I’m sure it is to Laila, too. I will be so grateful to get her back to my family in the US, and have her waiting for me when I return."

If you would like to make a donation to help Specialist Al bring Laila home, you can do so on the Paws of War website.

Every year, Paws of War helps soldiers to bring animals they rescue while serving overseas safely to the United States. Often times during deployment, the dogs and cats that they befriend bring them such joy and help them get through their tour of duty. While the organization has helped many soldiers rescue their pets, it's always challenging to do so, according to the nonprofit. The coronavirus pandemic has severely limited the number of flights coming from the U.S., especially those that allow dogs. Flights from overseas are also expensive, and there is a lot of red tape that needs to be cut.

Paws of War turned to the community for help in ensuring Laila can be brought home to live with Specialist Al and his wife. The organization is urgently accepting donations so it can plan the mission and secure a flight.

Paws of War helps soldiers bring their rescued dogs and cats to America after serving their country overseas through its War Torn Pups and Cats program.