Thursday, August 2, 2007

Dog Eared Book Review: From Bagdad, With Love


From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman & Melinda Roth.

If you are looking for a great summer read, this is the book for you! The story of US Marine Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman's quest to save the little puppy his unit, the Lava Dogs find in war torn Fallujah is heart warming and nerve wracking all at the same time. Dealing with the realities of war, then having a stray puppy win his heart, Kopelman contacts everyone he can think of to help him get the puppy, they named Lava, out of the country and safely to the US.

With help from a variety of sources, including reporters, execs at Iams and a Kennel owner specializing in military trained dogs, the race is on to get Lava off base, seen by a vet for his vaccinations, looked after safely when he's deployed out of Fallujah.

It is an inside look at one Marines experience with war and how saving a puppy helps bring purpose to his mission. The reality is grim for most strays the Marines come across in Iraq and something connects Lava and Kopelman—he just can't let the unthinkable happen.

Watch this pawesome video on Lava's story below: