Bring Rocket Bubba Home

An update from the Rocket Bubba Facebook page —

..it seems that Rocket will be going home soon. The two Animal Rescue Organizations contacted me and are working together. The total amount raised in 8 days….Drums please!!!! $3,300.00 dollars. YEAHHH I will be removing the Paypal link since I believe “YOU”VE DONE IT”. More here.

Rocket Bubba needs help getting home from Afghanistan

Here’s something fascinating, from the same Facebook page – a list of the countries that made paypal donations:

United States — 544.
Canada–26.
Brazil–24.
United Kingdom–14.
Australia–4.
Germany–3.
Afghanistan–2.
Argentina–2.
Belgium–2.
Chile–2.
Greece–2.
South Korea–2.
Austria–1.
Colombia–1.
Denmark–1.
France–1.
Israel–1.
India–1.
Iraq–1.
Kuwait–1.

Rocket’s story:

In Afghanistan, a convoy of soldiers driving on the infamous IED Highway discovered a two week old puppy lying near the body of its dead mother. Ignoring the possible danger to themselves (insurgents have used the bodies of dead animals as hiding spots for IEDs), the convoy pulled over and scooped up the puppy.

He wasn’t expected to live, but the round the clock care of soldiers in the platoon not only allowed him to survive, but to thrive. Now named Rocket Bubba, the little spotted dog is five months old, and the favorite pet and mascot of the entire base.

Unfortunately, Rocket Bubba’s days are now numbered. From the Rocket Bubba Facebook page:

Not long ago, the unit that I was with for almost a year left and a new one arrived. They immediately took in Rocket, but the new command staff of the base newly arrived, did not like the idea of the animal in the base. Many soldiers have spoken and attempted to express the benefits of having Rocket, and how it boosts the moral of most, but all in vain. The order was received to put him to sleep. Our sister base nearby that falls under the same command has received the same order and last week, had all the dogs put to sleep at night while soldiers were sleep to avoid confrontation.

Rocket’s days are numbered, I was able to receive permission with the help of many soldiers from different units to keep Rocket until September when I will go on leave, but told that if when I leave, I do not take him, that he will be “euthanized”.

The only way to save Rocket Bubba’s life is to help the soldiers of his base raise the $3500 required to get him out of Afghanistan and back to the US, where he has a home waiting for him. I think its the least we can do, for Rocket Bubba and for the men and women he’s meant so much to.

Watch Rocket Bubba’s video, after the cut.

mikken says:

August 2, 2010 at 12:48 pm

You know, the good folks in the military sacrifice so much every single day – why do we need to ask them to sacrifice their dogs, too? And what does it do for morale, do you think, to kill their dogs in the night?

frogdogz says:

August 2, 2010 at 1:59 pm

What was interesting to me in the story of this one dog is what an impact he had on overall morale and unity at the base. I can’t understand why a commander would want to tear that down.

The more I read about situations like this, the more strongly I believe that the best way we can ‘support our troops’ is to lobby to get them brought home.