Hi Folks!
I got inspired in supporting Ratchet’s case, so here I am, created a new blog site on wordpress – since The Liberal Chronicles is dedicated for political news and commentaries. I got so many requests here about this particular pup, Kindi seen in the picture below.
Kindi the puppy
According to an article from Spc. Ryan Elliott of 14th Public Affairs Detachment, Task Force Iron Public Affairs Office, Kindi the puppy is the life of the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment headquarters office.
Here is an excerpt from his article:
Kindi, named for the Iraqi village he was found in, is energetic and playful. He lights up the office and makes it a more fun and exciting place to work, said Kindi’s handler, Capt. Derek Szmyt, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment officer i n charge.
In early March, 2nd Squadron Soldiers were conducting mounted patrols in the Iraqi town Kindi near Baghdad. The 2nd SCR Soldiers spotted Iraqi children kicking and throwing an object back and forth, said Szmyt.
When they got closer they realized it was a dog, the Soldiers were able to get the dog and bring him back to Warhorse, Szmyt went on to say.
Slowly but surely, under the care of 2nd Squadron Soldiers, Kindi has grown and filled out his still puppy sized frame.
Little Kindi bounces about the office sticking his head in doors and nipping at passing Soldie rs heels with an excitement and curiosity found only in a jovial little puppy like Kindi.
This story has been forwarded to me via email so I can’t find the link where my friend got it but I’ll provide it as soon as I have found it.
Ok, back to Kindi. I received also some news that Kindi has been enrolled to the Baghdad Pups but unfortunately got bumped twice. This may go ala-Ratchet-the-dog-kind of story but I hope Kindi can get a plane out of Baghdad. The soldier who handled Kindi, Capt. Derek Szmyt, has already left Iraq and requested the incoming commanding officer to take care of Kindi while the pup hasnt been flown out of Iraq yet.
Kindi seen here playing with the other soldiers
Its a good thing that Kindi became the life of the soldiers during their stay in Iraq. We all know the horrors of war can bring as well as the loneliness of being away from your family and the trauma of seeing the battlefield. I hope this blog will raise the awareness about Kindi’s case and I hope he’ll be flown out of Iraq. I hope that Kindi will be included in the next trip of Baghdad Pups. Please support Baghdad Pups so that they can continue the rescue of the soldier’s four legged friends out there – away from danger, away from starvation, sickness and worse, getting killed.
You can check Baghdad Pups in this site: www.bahgdadpups.com
This is one HUGE way, one HUGE favor for the soldier’s out there. By supporting Baghdad Pups, we are already doing them a favor. Hey, its not easy to be in a battlefield. We all heard the loss of lives out there – and the loss of the soldier’s life because of PTSD that leads to suicide. These animals – pups and kitties have provided these soldiers a thread of hope to cling on, a companion to help them decompress after a long, hard day.
We also know that General Order 1A prohibits bringing along pets from the battlefield. I hope this rule should be reviewed. I dont know what’s keeping the military from supporting Baghdad Pups. They could have provided the necessary logistics. But the military rules it out of security reasons – still, we are hoping they would support these programs. These programs are not only meant to get the pets out – it is a way of supporting the soldiers, those in the frontlines, giving their pets a chance to live with them and of course, steer away from the dangers of PTSD. Well, it seems to me that PTSD is the bigger enemy here.
Let us support Baghdad Pups and hope that the military should review General Order 1A. You can share this blog to your families, friends and colleagues to help spread the word about Kindi and the Baghdad Pups. If you have any news updates on Kindi, you can comment it on this blog. Thanks!
Here is a link about Kindi’s story: http://www.dragoons.org/2008/10/02/mans-best-friend-kindi/
Tammy said
So I just heard that the vet looking after Kindi won’t release his records to operation bagdad pups. Why? Because the army will prosicute anyone trying get get an animal out of Iraq.. So far Terri from bagdad pups thinks they will still be able to get Kindi out on wed… Lets hope it’s a go. If not we will need all the support we can get to make a stink… I will keep you updated…
Susan Szmyt said
Hi, I am Susan Szmyt, Derek’s mom. Kindi arrived in the U.S.on Thursday, October 30, and my husband and I picked him up Saturday night. He is currently resting comfortably at our home in Connecticut awaiting Derek’s homecoming when he comes home on leave the week of Thanksgiving. We are so thankful to SPCA Internatonal, especially the Program Manager, Terri Crisp, and everyone who made Kindi’s homecoming a reality.