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One look at this healthy, happy pup, and it’s
hard to picture just how far she has come. After
living the first few months of her life
surrounded by the sprawling desert and
scrounging for food in the trash, the Northwest
landscapes are a startling and welcome change.
The lush land, green grass, and temperate clime
are all foreign to this world traveler, but
she’s settling in quickly. After finding someone
who saw her potential and a family who accepted
her as their own, this is where one little dog’s
life went from “Oh so tragic” to Oso Amazing.
The world through
Oso’s eyes truly is full of amazement: the
silhouette of evergreens against rain clouds,
the fresh, crisp Northwest air, and plenty of
toys to play with. Oso is curious about
every new and exciting experience, and she loves
gazing out of the window of her cabin, allowing
the wonders of the world to sink in. She
especially loves snuggling in her soft bed with
her toys after a hard day of playing. While she
has enjoyed spending her time with her loving
Pasado’s pals, though, Oso still dreams of the
kind of home she’s never had.
While she is at
Pasado's sanctuary, Oso’s human mother, Lena,
will be visiting her often. Lena misses her new
family member, and it will truly be an amazing
day when Oso finally gets to go home. When an
animal comes from a foreign country, it is
essential to ensure that no diseases are spread
to other companion animals. We hope that Oso
will receive her clean bill of health soon.
While we will miss this lucky pup, we can’t wait
for her to finally go home.
Check back for
further updates!
Oso was
not shy about showing her appreciation! |
Phil knew that Oso’s life was in
danger if she stayed in the Afghani desert, but
rescuing her would prove to be a difficult and
dangerous tactical operation. The mission
required an army of animal lovers. Oso first had
to be snuck out of Aghanistan, driven across
enemy lines, and hidden in the car at every
Taliban checkpoint. If it was suspected that the
dog was from a military base, both the driver
and the dog would be shot. Would Oso make it
from behind enemy lines to the safety of Phil’s
family and home in Washington State?...
The army’s motto is “Leave no man behind,” and Specialist Philip Bourrillion of the 5-2 Stryker Brigade couldn’t leave behind his friend, either. Phil found tiny Oso and her two siblings in a pile of trash. Most puppies are weaned between 6-8 weeks of age, and at only five weeks old, the little orphans were destined for death. They were found at an elevation of 7,000 feet, in extreme temperatures, and rummaging through the trash for food. Trash is burned in Afghanistan, and Oso would likely be burned along with the garbage or slowly starve to death.
Phil realized this, and the three tiny dogs were distributed among those who could care for them, with Phil taking Oso under his wing. In return, Oso, whose name means “bear” in Spanish, provided him with unconditional love, laughter, and a much-needed distraction from the atrocities of war. Oso fit in well with her new “pack,” sharing meals and quality time with Phil. They soon became inseparable, and to have that bit of love and family in the midst of death and destruction was like having a piece of home. According to Philip’s wife, Lena, “Having Oso to love and care for kept him grounded.”
Phil built a doghouse and enclosure for Oso to keep her safe, and he carried the diminutive dog around often. The contrast between 6’2” Phil and tiny Oso was quite a sight – but it brought hope and heart to the warfront. Phil was separated from Oso several times, and each time, he was distraught with worry: what would happen to his new friend? The military doesn’t allow soldiers to have dogs, and dogs are often shot or abandoned. But even though three higher-ranking officers told him to let her go or shoot her, Phil couldn’t. He felt that no friend should be left behind.
It took an army to
save her |
Borders and politics are artificially constructed, but attachment and a sense of belonging are shared biological experiences. Love and affection transcend and unite that which attempts to divide, and when Phil’s wife, Lena, heard about the four-month-old pup’s plight, she went into action. She was adamant about her family policy: “You can’t leave her behind.” Lena knew how much this little pup meant to her husband, and she contacted multiple rescue groups to save his battle buddy. Soon, a wide net of love and compassion spread out, and an army of animal lovers answered the call for this very special mission.
Animal Rescue Families
- This rescue graciously sponsored Oso's flight.
Baghdad Animal Rescue
- They endanger their lives to make sure that
these dogs are brought to safety.
Nowzad Dogs -
This rescue is instrumental in ensuring that
soldiers are able to get their battle buddies
home.
...and Pasado’s Safe Haven joined forces as a unified effort in “Operation Oso.” Please support these wonderful organizations by visiting their websites and making a donation. The generosity and benevolence of these unified groups made this miracle a reality.
Oso takes a
moment to soak up the sun from her cabin at
Pasado's where she will stay during her
quarantine period. Everything is fine, now
that she is finally in her mom's arms.
This collaboration of care helped Oso travel for more than 9,000 miles and 55 hours. When she found out that Oso had safely made it to New York, Lena said, “I don’t know how many times I broke down and cried today, but they are happy tears.” On Tuesday, February 09, 2010, little Oso made it to Washington State safe and sound. Lena and their fourteen-year-old daughter, Marissa, met Oso at the airport. They were joined by Pasado’s staff and the donors who made this mission a success: Henry Yamamoto and Elia Ginn of
Animal Rescue Families.
Oso is a tangible reminder of Phil’s love and compassion – a love that crossed borders, time zones, oceans, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Oso is also a testament to the good that is in the world. While wars are waged and battles are won and lost, there are still so many people who care deeply for all living beings – and who will work to make a difference in the world. Being so far removed from her husband can be painful, and Lena summed up the rescue perfectly: “That’s the least that I can do to give back – and also do a good deed and save a beautiful animal who deserves a better life.”
Lena helps Oso open her gift bag filled with
treats and toys
Pasado’s Safe Haven is proud to be a part of “Operation Oso.” She is currently here at the sanctuary, where she will receive a checkup, vaccinations, deworming, and flea and sand flea treatments. Pasado’s vet, Ahmad, is from Syria, and he is familiar with the regional health issues that Oso might have. During her stay, she will have a beautiful, heated cabin to rest in – and lots of tender loving care from all of the Pasado’s staff and volunteers. Lena and
Marissa will visit Oso as she prepares to join their family, which includes their dogs Jersey Girl, who is a four-year-old French bulldog, and Casper, who is a nine-year-old pit bull. Phil plans to join his newly expanded family in July.
Would you like to help contribute to a miracle mission? It took the collaboration of multiple animal welfare groups to make this rescue a success. Oso’s siblings are still in Afghanistan, and Lena hopes to get them onto U.S. soil, as well. If you would like to help make a difference, please click
here to donate to Pasado’s Safe Haven. We will continue to be on the front lines of animal rescue – because we know that no friend should ever be left behind.
Read about Oso in the news!
KomoNews.com
Q13Fox.com Seattle Times
Examiner.com
KVAL.com
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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