Iraqi Puppy rescued from Fallujah is now "Home" in San Diego

 

Rancho Santa Fe , CA - The 6-week-old puppy quivered in an abandoned house in Fallujah , Iraq when United States Marine reservists found him last November. In spite of the war that surrounded them, a Marine tucked the pup safely under his flack jacket. That puppy, named "Lava" by the Marines from Hawaii , finally arrived "home" in San Diego on Monday, April 4.

 

Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman, a U.S. Marine reservist from La Jolla , CA , volunteered for active duty after September 11, 2001 . While serving in Iraq , reservists under his command introduced him to the puppy they had found. Kopelman fell in love. He contacted his fiancé, Ellen Stiefler , in Rancho Santa Fe, CA and asked, "Can we keep it?"

 

At that same time Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe was leading 1,800 pet rescue groups around the world in the 6 th annual "Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive" with a goal of finding homes for orphaned pets during the holiday season. HWAC accepted the challenge to help bring Lava "home".

 

Now, four months later, a reunion between Kopelman and his puppy has taken place. Kopelman arrived in San Diego on March 23. Thanks to a lot of "helping paws" along the way, Lava and Jay were introduced to the public on Monday, April 4.

 

Kopelman thanks United States Marines, Army, Navy, and Airmen stationed at Camp Fallujah who helped to care for Lava. Members of the U.S. Navy Seabees spent their off-time finding wood to build a dog house.

 

Working with NPR reporter Ann e Garrels and producer Ben Gilbert , an Iraqi citizen identified only as "Varham" (to protect his identity) provided care for Lava in the unprotected Red Zone of Baghdad until transportation to the U.S. could be arranged.

 

Varham saw to it that Lava had food and exercise. He also acquired the vaccinations and examinations necessary for Lava to receive the "International Certificate of Vaccination and Health for Dogs" (Doggie Passport) from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Iraq . He got the certificate translated from Arabic into English. Even more amazing, Varham was able to locate dog biscuits and a dog toy in the middle of this war zone.

 

"Home 4 the Holidays" corporate partner The Iams Company pledged to help with supplies, funds and food. Iams would do anything they could to bring Lava home.

 

After encountering many obstacles The Iams Company contacted Kenneth Licklider, owner of Vohne Liche Kennels, an Indiana company that trains bomb-sniffing dogs and handlers to work with United States military and coalition forces in Iraq . For Licklider there was never a question of "if"..but "HOW can we help?" Internal memos from Vohne Liche referred to Lava's rescue as "Operation: Get it done".