No Buddy Left Behind: Bringing U.S. Troops' Dogs and Cats Safely Home from the Combat Zone [Hardcover]

Terri Crisp (Author), Cynthia Hurn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2011

How the love of a stray dog or cat rescued in the combat zone helps U.S. troops deal with the trauma of war, and how one woman risks everything to bring these soldiers’ buddies home.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For Operation Baghdad Pups to succeed, a huge number of people from diverse walks of life--high school students, airline executives, veterinarians, military officers, journalists and others--had to work in concert, with patience, determination and selflessness, to get the animals safely home. This is the story of human beings at their best." --The Star-Ledger

 

“The war took my son away, but that dog saved his life and brought him home again.”
—The mother of a Special Forces soldier whose dog was rescued by Operation Baghdad Pups

“Many soldiers who wouldn’t come for counseling before came just to see the puppy. While holding the dog, they would suddenly open up and we could establish therapeutic relationships. He was the best mental health technician on the team!”
—Major Jennifer Mann, USAF (Retired)

 

“I have sacrificed a lot to serve my country. All that I ask is to be allowed to bring home the incredible dog that wandered into my life here in Iraq and prevented me from becoming terribly calloused toward life.”
—A soldier requesting help from Operation Baghdad Pups

From the Inside Flap

Unlike many animal books, No Buddy Left Behind is not only about rescuing strays but also about U.S. soldiers trying to survive the horrors of war and readjust to life back home.  Many troops serving in the Middle East share life-altering relationships with stray dogs and cats they save from the brutalities of life in Iraq and Afghanistan. Overcoming monumental obstacles, author Terri Crisp makes it her mission to get these soldiers’ “buddies” out of danger and bring them home to the people who love them.

So, how does someone get an animal out of a country where a dysfunctional infrastructure means that normal resources don’t exist, and every step of a plan to transport animals could get someone arrested, kidnapped, or blown apart? As Crisp soon discovers, each rescue mission, from start to finish, could
easily be terminated at any point, and no animal is truly safe until its paws touch U.S. soil. Terri and her team of volunteers have saved the lives of 282 dogs and 58 cats befriended by military personnel since February 2008—and No Buddy Left Behind tells this incredible story.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1 edition (October 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762773863
• ISBN-13: 978-0762773862
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Pets & Animal Care > Essays

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Joyful and heartwarming November 7, 2011

By kinseyka

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

It was wonderful to read the story behind the rescues that I'd been reading about through email about SPCA International and their Baghdad pups - safely bringing the cats and dogs - and recently even a donkey named Smoke (his story is not in the book) from an abusive and deadly existence in Iraq to America and the families of the soldiers - men and women- who relied on them and loved them. These animals are fiercely protective of our soldiers and they share a strong bond. Not all the stories end happily -- but it is an amazing mission that these folks do to bring these loved animals to safety.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book! A wonderful Testimonial to our stories..... November 3, 2011

By C. Anderson

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an amazing book and a wonderful illustration of the remarkable work that Operation Baghdad Pups has accomplished for our troops and their furry friends. As a soldier and recipient of Operation Baghdad Pups support in saving our Squadron mascot/buddy, Balls the Cat (mission number 44, rescued on Jan 12th 2010), I can attest and relate to these heart-felt stories. I love this book and have given it to several friends and they have loved it too. Thank you Operation Baghdad Pups for what you do and thank you Terri and Cindy for your devotion to these animals and dedication in bringing these astonishing stories to print.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming October 19, 2011

By Diane

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This story exemplifies what a person with a "can do" attitude is able to accomplish against multiple major obstacles. Thankfully, for our well deserving soldiers, Terri Crisp was able to surmount the obstacles and save so many pets for them. It truly warmed my heart to read the correspondence from the soldiers and their families about the tremendously positive impact that the dogs and cats had upon the morale of the troops. Combining soldiers and pets together makes this book a winner.