Story:

Beatrice lived on a camp in Baghdad with a company of soldiers who befriended her. Beatrice brought them piece of mind and comfort during their long days. They loved to play with her. Beatrice helped them by being a furry friend through good times and bad. That’s when they soldiers contacted SPCA International. They couldn’t leave Beatrice behind because she was family now. SPCA International added her to their growing list of Operation Baghdad Pups animals that needed to be rescued from Iraq before summer.

One day, while enjoying some downtime in the common living room, a couple soldiers heard an unusual noise. They had no idea what it was, but it seemed to be coming from behind a piece of furniture. The soldiers looked and there was Beatrice giving birth to 5 puppies. They had been totally unaware of her pregnancy. Immediately, they pulled the furniture out from the wall and they helped her bring the puppies into the world. Beatrice had 3 boys: Aribi, Hause and Chewy and 2 girls: Taji and Rocky.

The soldiers loved the distraction of the newborns and so did many the other troops that came to visit. The company built them a pen out of plywood and the puppies quickly became a local attraction for nearby units. Of course the soldiers refused to leave the puppies behind, so they worked out who would adopt each puppy and contacted SPCA International to explain the new situation.

On June 1st 2008, the soldiers dropped Beatrice and the puppies off at Baghdad airport where SPCA International staff, Terri Crisp, and volunteer Bev Westerman where waiting to escort them home with 20 other soldiers’ companion animals. They all arrived at Newark International on June 5th, 2008. Beatrice and the puppies will be living with the soldiers’ families until they return from duty. Their new homes are spread out across the country: Beatrice will be in Texas, Rocky and Aribi in Colorado, Taji in Missouri, Hause in California and Chewy is going to Virginia.

One soldier explains, “It is important to all of us that Beatrice and the pups have a good life. She has had it rough and since being with us. Iraq is not an easy place for a dog. Now, they all can enjoy life as good dogs should.”

She continues, “We thank SPCA International from the bottom of our hearts for all the help they have given, not only to the animals, but to the soldiers too. They’ve given us something to look forward to. They have been a true blessing.”