Laia's Journey: A Saga of Mystery and Love

There is something about that special unique bond which develops between a dog and its owner. It is often magical and can grow incredibly deep. It may even be mysterious in how it began.

I encountered such a story on the Internet the other day. I was deeply moved as the chronicle unfolded. It absolutely left paw prints on my heart.

Last week, a well beloved, five-month old puppy arrived here in the United States, after being shipped to Richard Hutchinson, the brother of the fallen hero, Major Steven Hutchison. Major Hutchison, who owned the dog, was the oldest soldier killed during the war in Iraq. Also a Viet Nam veteran, he was sixty years old. He was killed in an incident on Mother's Day, May 10.

His brother Richard said, "From my understanding, he may have been targeted by the insurgents. His whole team's mission was to secure the border of Iraq and Iran. They were making a lot of changes in the way they do things and apparently it didn't sit well with the insurgents."

Major Hutchison's team found her when just a little puppy only six weeks old. She had a broken back hind leg and was in great need of medical care. Her leg was casted, and she received loving care by the team. Major Hutchison named her Laia, after the famous "Star Wars" character, Princess Leia, as it was his favorite movie. It was love at first sight between these two. She had him wrapped around her paws.

Richard and his wife, Nancy flew in from Phoenix, Arizona to meet Laia. He said, "I probably shipped over $300 worth of supplies to him for the dog... dog food, collars, leash bowls, deworming medication, all kinds of stuff." Nancy added that her brother-in-law "lived for that dog." In retrospect, it certainly appeared that a new long distance connection was building between Laia and Richard.

Due to the efforts of a close friend of the fallen soldier who made contact with the organizers of the SPCA Internationals Operation Baghdad Pups program, Laia was given safe passage to the United States to begin her new life. She will live with a contracted friend of Major Hutchison in Michigan.

SPCA Internationals Operation Baghdad Pups mission is to provide veterinary care, and also to arrange transport out of the war zones for soldier's companion animals. I think you will agree that they deserve huge thumbs up for providing Laia the opportunity of a forever loving home and honoring the memory of Major Hutchison.

Watch the compelling video by visiting: http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=86700&catid=158

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