Ya gotta wonder about military red tape and how it screws up peoples' lives...
I had an email today from the American Humane Society, asking me to sign a petition. "OK, one more petition to sign," I said with a sigh, and hit the link button. What I read brought tears to my eyes -- yeah, yeah, I know: I'm a softy AND a pet lover (read "easy touch").
Here's the story:
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana and her Working Military Dog Rex were inseparable companions. For three years they have lived together, worked together, and relied upon each other. Jamie and Rex work together to patrol checkpoints and scour buildings for hidden explosives, and have served together in Iraq and Pakistan.
On June 25th, 2005 Jamie and Rex were returning from patrol when a bomb detonated under their vehicle. Jamie was seriously injured, and in a coma. Doctors didn't expect her to live, and she had to be transported to the United States for medical treatment. It was only when she awoke she learned that Rex had sustained only minor wounds.
This is really a story about the bond of love that exists between Jamie and Rex. A bond so strong that her last thoughts before loosing consciousness was of Rex. A bond forged through training, through military service, and through companionship.
Jamie has returned to active duty, and wants to adopt Rex into her family. But current law prohibits the adoption of a combat dog until they reach retirement age. For Rex this could be another 5 to 10 years.
Please help re-unite Rex and Jamie - Urge President Bush to encourage legislation to override these laws.
Hope you will sign this petition. This woman has been wounded both physically and emotionally -- it is a small rule that would need be bent in order to honor this woman's service to her country. I won't carry on about what rules this administration has broken and to what horrible consequence. Let's just hope that, perhaps once, they can choose to do the right thing!
Peace on earth -- good will to all!