Three courageous female soldiers in the U.S. Army – a Major, a First Lieutenant, and a Lieutenant Colonel, who are deployed in the Middle East found two helpless puppies abandoned outside their base gate. Moments later they knew they had to act fast to save the pups’ lives and reached out to us for help.
The two deeply bonded brothers huddled together scared and starving; all they had in the world was each other. Locals told the soldiers that animal control was coming for them in the morning—and that would seal their fate, but looking into their innocent eyes and adorable faces, our heroes couldn’t let that happen. The pups became known as Tanner and Troop, and they were running out of time.
But something was wrong. We suspected that Tanner was suffering from even more than the effects of being abandoned. Both pups were taken for veterinary assessment where it was confirmed their harsh beginning to life had taken its toll; both were also anemic and suffering with internal infections. Treatment began immediately, but Tanner was still struggling. After further tests he was diagnosed with a debilitating condition affecting him right down to his bones. He was in significant pain and his health was deteriorating rapidly, but despite everything, his little tail wagged his tail whenever he looked at Troop. Tragically, although all efforts were made to save Tanner, the toll on his frail body was too great. He wasn’t responding to treatments, and he couldn’t fight any longer. His young heart stopped beating and he passed away peacefully. Who knows what the outcome would have been if he had been loved and cared for the way he deserved instead of being abandoned.
The soldiers and our team are heartbroken, but no one more than Troop. He is lost without Tanner, and on saying goodbye to his brother, he ran around him, kissing him, not understanding why he wasn’t responding. He has become so sad and quiet, and looks every time a door opens – hoping his best friend is coming back. The news has been hard on everyone, but we must continue with the knowledge that Tanner got the best chance to make it, and he was surrounded by love. Now we must save Troop.
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As a violent storm battered an American base in a desolate part of Africa, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Hope heard a desperate cry outside her door and when she looked out to investigate, a terrified kitten – Gizmo – rushed in and went into hiding. That was the moment she knew she had to act to save the vulnerable cat and reached out to Paws of War for help. Gizmo was abandoned near the base and with nothing around to survive on, her condition rapidly deteriorated. Staff Sergeant Hope and some other soldiers had been doing what they could – making a tiny lean-to for shelter, and sharing their food, but in a very remote area there wasn’t much available to them to help a struggling cat. Gizmo cowered in the makeshift shelter – afraid of the many predators lurking, and would only come out when she heard SSG Hope who she chose as her person. The sweet cat was so thankful to have someone be kind to her that she would bring gifts of bugs, leaves, and pieces of trash – all she could find to say “I love you” to brighten her hero’s day. In turn SSG Hope found comfort in having the little cat around but while she makes her smile, she can’t take her mind off the worry of knowing Gizmo can’t make it on her own when she returns Stateside and the fear in the young cat during the storm served as a reminder.