Long Island Nonprofit Aims To Help National Guard Soldier Save Pup: Help Needed

NESCONSET, NY — Spc. Alexander, a National Guard soldier deployed overseas, has turned to Nesconset nonprofit Paws of War to help him relocate a dog he found to the United States, according to a news release.

"Being away from home so long, the pets that soldiers rescue become like family," said Dereck Cartright, a disabled veteran who is the stateside logistics coordinator at Paws of War, via news release. "When they bond with a rescued dog, it does great things for them, and we want to make sure we can help bring Sadie back home with Specialist Alexander."

If you would like to donate to help Spc. Alexander save Sadie, you may do so here.

Spc. Alexander found the puppy on Christmas and named her Sadie. She was freezing, hungry, malnourished, and covered in blood when he found her, according to Paws of War. Spc. Alexander took it upon himself to take her in, clean her wounds, and nurse her back to health. The puppy was shaking but wasted no time in bonding.

Each day, Spc. Alexander worries about her safety because they are stationed in a harsh environment: an area of the world where people do not treat stray dogs kindly. He is now on a mission to get Sadie back to his home in the U.S., where she can live out her life in safety with his family. She lifted his spirits and gave him something to look forward to.

"My life was uprooted when I was deployed, and it will mean so much to me to have Sadie with me, and bringing a smile to my face," Spc. Alexander said via the news release. "I can’t imagine having to leave her behind when I leave. That would be devastating for me to lose her. I’m so thankful for the organization Paws of War for trying to help me to help this lonely puppy find a loving home in the U.S. The fact that she could be waiting for me back home is so motivating and important to me."

Relocating Sadie to the United States is something that Paws of War can do, but it’s a costly mission, the nonprofit wrote. There is red tape, travel expenses, and veterinary expenses that need to be met before Sadie can be safely relocated to Spc. Alexander’s home. Paws of War said it relies on the generosity of the community to help in such situations.

Many service members stationed around the world rescue cats and dogs and become attached to them. The pets bring them peace and comfort and put smiles on their faces. Paws of War has made its mission to help get those pets to safety in America when the time arrives. It has helped many service members to get their rescued pets relocated following deployment.