Comments About Ratchet By Maj. Daniel Elliott

I'm worried that the US military will make Ratchet "accidently" disappear. I'm hoping this won't happen, but to recap,

According to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International, the military finally agreed to clear Ratchet to leave the country. Unfortunately, that clearance came only 30 minutes before the flight out, too late for the dog to make it. The US military was aware of the time the dog needed to be on the flight, but clearance was delayed until it was too late. Yesterday Gwen wrote to her mom that the Public Affairs people told her that it was "A dog not HER dog and the dog was not leaving."

Baghdad Pups has confirmed they are coming back for Ratchet as early as sunday, which I am thrilled about. This is the statement that has me concerned,

Maj. Daniel Elliott, a spokesman for U.S. forces south of Baghdad, said in a statement Wednesday that the military had no control of the dog and "Our military working dogs carry rank and are afforded many of the rights and privileges of their fellow soldiers," he said. "Ratchet is a wild dog indigenous to Iraq. A stray, befriended by a soldier. As such, we do not control him, nor can we 'order' him not to leave" the base.

In this situation, the appropriate response by the military would be that now that it has been authorized, they will keep Ratchet safe for the few days until Baghdad Pups returns. That is not what they are saying. I hope my readers are not tired of my continual rants about Ratchet, but I have one more thing to ask! Please write to the White House and DOD asking them to make sure Ratchet stays safe until Baghdad Pups arrive.

If you don't have time to write your own letter, feel free to cut and paste mine.

I'm writing in support of Gwen Beberg the American soldier serving in Iraq. She has been struggling to gain the necessary clearance to get her dog "Ratchet" sent back safely to the US. Baghdad Pups arrived to pickup Ratchet on wednesday, but due to delays by the military, Baghdad Pups was unable to take Ratchet. They have said they can return for Ratchet as early as this sunday, as Ratchet has his clearance and is ready to go. In this situation, I believe the appropriate response by the military would be that now that it has been authorized, they will keep Ratchet safe for the few days until Baghdad Pups returns.

Instead Maj. Daniel Elliott, a spokesman for U.S. forces south of Baghdad, said in a statement Wednesday that the military had no control of the dog and "Our military working dogs carry rank and are afforded many of the rights and privileges of their fellow soldiers," he said. "Ratchet is a wild dog indigenous to Iraq. A stray, befriended by a soldier. As such, we do not control him, nor can we 'order' him not to leave" the base.

Gwen would be completely devastated if her dog remained in Iraq, as this would be a death sentence for him. I completely emphasize with her as I have a dog as well. Please make sure Ratchet stays safe and treated well until Baghdad Pups arrives to pick him up.