Ratchet has come home!

Note:  This is the last post about Ratchet, and I will return to my regularly-scheduled programming tomorrow.  Thank you very much for your patience and support.

Yesterday was a very happy day: Ratchet, the Iraqi puppy, finally arrived in Minneapolis!

His story, which first got attention here on getFreshMinds.com, has been all over the world in the last couple weeks.  The article here received over 7000 diggs and reached the very top of the front page in Digg.  It's also been read by over 80,000 people.

The petitions for Ratchet's clemency were signed by over 70,000 people - from all the states in the US, and nearly 50 countries.  Articles were written about him on CNN online, the LA Times, the NY Post, USA Today and all over the world.  His story spread through Twitter, Stumbleupon, Facebook, email lists and forums.  It was front page news in both the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St Paul Pioneer Press.  He's been on WCCO, KARE11 and the BBC.

The whole thing has been absolutely amazing.  I have just been completely stunned by the huge response and the support people have offered for Ratchet and Gwen.

I was one of the lucky few who got to go behind the scenes at the MSP airport to welcome Ratchet as he arrived on a Northwest flight. (NWA donated his trip from Kuwait to MN.)

Check out the FOX9 piece below on Ratchet's return - where I'm interviewed!

Here's the story by the Associated Press:

Yesterday, I was asked in an interview if I thought it was fair that Ratchet's case was getting so much attention when there are so many other (more important) issues.  To tell you the truth, I don't think it's fair.  People should also want to come together to combat the really big problems of society, like poverty, AIDs or war.  Those are the issues that really need a huge global effort.

However, I am still glad Ratchet's plight got so much attention.  I wrote about it in the first place because I didn't think that it was fair that my friend's dog (of all the ones rescued by Baghdad Pups) was singled out and confiscated.  I wanted to help her, and I thought that bringing attention to the situation could make a difference.  I was hoping to mobilize people in Minnesota, and to help raise money for a good cause.

Because Baghdad Pups really is a remarkable initiative.  It helps soldiers with their emotional needs - something that is often overlooked. Yes, soldiers aren't supposed to befriend animals... but they do.  In the war zones, animals are often the only thing that can comfort someone who has been in a traumatic situation.  Take a look at the other success stories on the Baghdad Pups website.  Some of those animals, like Tom the cat, have brought their owners out of deep depression.  Others just make soldiers smile, and help them decompress after a hard day.   For many others, it's just a comfort that the dog understands where they're coming from, and knows what they've been through.

If those Iraqi dogs and cats can help soldiers endure tough conditions, then what is the harm in letting them befriend an animal? (As long as the animal is healthy and doesn't interfere with their duties.)  If they care enough to raise the money to take the pet home... I don't see what the problem is.

Let's face it, a pet (even one with international travel expenses) is a small price to pay if they can help a soldier avoid some or all PTSD.

So, thank you so much to everyone who has helped Ratchet and Gwen.  When I wrote about this, I was hoping to get some attention for Gwen.  I NEVER thought it would explode like it did.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

~Katie

Comments

[Yaay & Huurray, Gwen and Ratchet !!!!]

Nice work everybody. I wish I could throw a few frisbees and tennis balls for Ratchet!

(First found out about the problem via TammyBruce.com -- whose Saturday Folks program helps me remain capable, here, of sustaining pleasant images such as Gwen and Ratchet, not just incidentally.)

Thank you for your service to the USA, Gwen!

Hey, Ratchet -- Good Dog!!

[ansatsu]

YIPEEE!

wow!..Happy ending for Gwen and Ratchet...!

*teary eyes*

I hope this works out for Baghdad Pups. Let's continue supporting them.

Kudos to us all. Here's my blog site: http://ansatsu29.wordpress.com/

Regards!

[air]

I first saw this on Deanna Raeke's excellent blog
http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveoftheDog/

Once she reported the story, her loyal followers took up the cause. Having Ratchet home has been our *Happy Thought*.

Now...we are eagerly awaiting the book on Saving Private Ratchet!

[Robin]

Really appreciate reading this post...I had not heard about Ratchet's story. I am a true believer that animals are a conduit to inner joy and although I do not have a dog (my sister has two beautiful dogs) I do have a cat...I call her Boo - and she is such a joy in my life that even when I feel the chips are down, she comes to my rescue with a smile in her eyes, a purr in her voice and a good ol' snuggle. I'm sure Gwen finds the same in Ratchet - something that can touch ones heart in such a meaningful way cannot be ignored.

Thanks - love your blog. Just found it and am enjoying the posts. Love! the name :)

Good days to you...

Robin Ogden
http://www.firedupcareers.com

[Dragonfly]

oh, this is totally awesome! i saw this article when it came out and just had to blog it to let people know! i agree that, after all our soldiers are expected to endure by our own government, that they should at the very least be allowed to befriend and keep a pet. it isn't fair to any of them much less to the animals who are themselves in need of love and care. kudos to you and to everyone else that participated in this becoming a reality ;) i sincerely hope all this attention will spur the military to change this policy. many blessings Gwen, Ratchet, and All~Dragonfly

[ashaobt]

Thanks for the heartwarming story. This world needs a lot of happy endings these days.

[Roman]

What a strange story. Since when did the US Army turn into the SPCA?

Maybe I'm a tinge jealous I never got to bring home any of the dogs we kept around and trained... that certainly would have been nice. However we were deployed to fight a war, not pick up pets. We were happy to get ammo, food, and water. Animal souvenirs were never part of the equation, nor should they be. I can't believe the hype and attention this has received. Kind of makes me sick.