One Christmas Later: Sgt. Neesley, Iraq -- and Saving the Dogs Of War

Sgt. Peter Neesley befriended some stray dogs in Baghdad during his tour in Iraq last year and hoped to bring them back to the U.S. But Sgt. Neesley, 28, never made it home.

Last year on Christmas Eve, I wrote about Neesley, who hailed from Michigan, after he was found dead in his bed in Iraq in an unexplained incident. My column and blog posting drew a wide and very moving response from his many friends and family. He seemed like an incredible fella.

Later, knowing his plans for the dogs, they decided to fulfill his wishes, and his dogs (a mother and her pups) arrived in this country in February after a herculean effort led by family members, with media outlets helping out, too. It drew national attention.

Now the Neesley family has sent me a note thanking everyone for their help, along with the swell photo of the haunted, but safe, dogs in the USA. I've also heard from the iraqi man who helped them over there -- he is now visiting Florida.

Below are two brief excepts from an AP story on the dog rescue from last February:

Growing up, Peter Neesley was an animal-lover who always took in strays around his Michigan home. So when his family heard that the Army sergeant was taking care of two dogs outside his Baghdad military base, no one was surprised.

In e-mails and phone calls from Iraq, Neesley talked about how he came across Mama, a black Labrador mix, and Boris, her white-and-brown spotted puppy, while on patrol in their Baghdad neighborhood.

One of Mama's puppies was later killed by a car, so Neesley and his friends built a doghouse to shelter the animals. Photographs show Neesley feeding the dogs and kneeling next to the red-and-white doghouse and Boris walking along the cracked sidewalks of Baghdad.

"He was determined. He had already been sending us e-mails about how when he came home in July, he was going to find a way to bring them with him," said his sister, Carey Neesley.

And this:

Mama and Boris arrived Friday afternoon at Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., home of Neesley's mother, capping a four-week transfer facilitated by family members, animal rights groups, media outlets and elected leaders.

The dogs were picked up in Baghdad this week by Rich Crook, a rapid response manager for the Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society, which helped arrange the animals' transport after learning about them from media reports. Gryphon Holdings LLC, an American-owned airline with service to Iraq, agreed to fly the dogs from Baghdad to Kuwait City.

While Neesley's fellow soldiers cared for Mama and Boris, a veterinarian with the Iraqi Society for Animals vaccinated the dogs and arranged for the health certificates allowing them to travel to the United States.

"I think the animals are part of Peter now in the eyes of the family," Crook said as he drove along Interstate 70 south of Breezewood, Pa., while the dogs rested.

Greg Mitchell ([e-mail]) is editor. His book on Iraq and the media is titled, "So Wrong for So Long."

Comments

[PatA]

I have a teeshirt that say "May I be the person that my dog thinks I am".....
Sgt. Neesley, you were more than your dogs thought you were and you are a shining example of how we can all live.
I'm sitting here crying and will light a candle every Monday night for the Sgt. and his pups.

[dejavu1972]

My eyes are still wet from reading his heartwarming story.

[david43a]

Deepest condolences to the family of Sgt Neesley, Thank you for his and Your service to our country.

this reminds me of a story I was told, by an old hobo...who was hitching his way to LA in 1978

When it was time for Adam and Eve to leave paradise, all of the animals lined up to watch the sad pair leave...of all the animals there, only the dog started to follow, the dog looked at god, who nodded ....
and thats why you have to break a horse, cage a bird and the cat, well who said the cat was ever even in paradise!
But a dog will follow you to the gates of hell, wagging its tail the all the way!

[Absintheforall]

Well said! Splendidly well said!

[RockySoldier]

Absolutely, unmistakably true.

[lungfish]

Our humanity is defined by how we treat those in need and our ability to identify with, empathize with those who are not like us. This includes animals. Clearly Sgt Neesley was humane and sensitive.

Further, the network of humane and caring people who made room for these four footed beings alongside their dedication to the effort in Iraq is commendable. Acts like these and many others involving other animals and other people often go unsung but they weave the fabric of humanity. Someday I hope that fabric weaves tight enough that no being, human or otherwise, falls through from negligence or worse.

[xs10shl1]

Greg Mitchell:
You remind me it is possible for someone's spirit to live on after they have left us. Of course that is so. But you remind me in a most heart-warming and soul-affirming way as I sit here contemplating the ups and downs of the holidays and our world, thankful for the time to contemplate and thankful for my Cat and 3 Dogs around me here. Thank You for this story of human power beyond the grave. May Peter Neesley rest peacefully and may his Family feel his presence. You move me to tears. Thank You.

[Herders4Me]

What you said...

The spirit of Christmas is affirmed.

[burmajoe1]

You can judge a man by how he treats the weakest in society. In my eyes, the weakest man, the weakest woman, the weakest children, the weakest in the animal kingdom. This man, Mr. Neesley was a human of the uttmost quality.

[budfox]

Great story for the holidays, Greg. Stray and abandoned dogs are a problem all over the world, good to see Sgt. Neesley's vision is going forward.

[Jacksonian]

As I read this story, I'm curled up in a comfy armchair with a three-year-old dachshund puppy, one of three dogs and two cats at my sister's Wisconsin home where I'm a Christmas guest. Across the river in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the local news brought us stories this week of the heroic effort to rescue and save a two-year-old golden retriever senselessly shot and left to die. Dubbed "Orphan Annie," the golden has run up $12,000 plus in medical expenses-- which donors are generously covering. Now from the horror that is Iraq, a reminder that Americans export their kindness too. May Sgt. Neesley rest in peace, and may his surviving family and friends take comfort in the example he left for all of us, for in his treatment of animals he surely reminds us how we should treat not just pets but each other. And thanks to you, Greg, for reminding us of what is good and right this Christmas Eve. And a special thanks for your tireless efforts and superb writing focusing on veterans and the active members of our U.S. armed forces. Happy holidays!

[clevelandchick]

Thank you for that story Mr. Mitchell. it brought tears to my eyes, literally. I am glad his family brought Mama and Boris home and it is so touching to read of his fellow soldiers taking care of them until arrangements could be made. After reading and seeing so many things wrong in this world, people uniting in their love for someone to make one of his living wishes come true is much a needed injection of hope for all of us.