Iraqi Dog Walks 70 Miles Through War Zone to Join His American Soldier

Dog walks 70 miles through war zone to find his master

Last Update: 2/12

IRAQ — Their friendship began half way across the world in Iraq, when St. Petersburg native Major Brian Dennis encountered a mixed breed dog in Anbar Province. The dog had been savagely abused and his ears cut off.

The marine decided to call him Nubbs.

In e-mails to his mother, Marsha Cargo in Tierra Verde, Major Dennis wrote how he was “dumbfounded” when he learned Nubbs’ ears were cut off purposely by an Iraqi to make him tough and more alert. Nubbs, he said, was ordained a fighting dog.

Four months passed, and the bond between man and his four legged friend grew. Nubbs, was dealt severe blows in his short life, including being stabbed by a screwdriver. The major shared his distress with mother.

“He tried sleeping with him that night because it was 18 degree temperature and he was afraid he was not going to live through the night. So out of his back pack, he took Neosporin and covered the wound,” Cargo said.

Major Dennis nursed Nubbs back to health…and here is where this friendship takes a remarkable turn: Major Dennis was ordered to move his squadron 70 miles away. He complied.

His mother shared her son’s surprise of a lifetime, “Two days later he was out there working on a vehicle in the front yard and all of a sudden here comes Nubbs. He had tracked Brian 70 miles across the desert in 18 degree temperature while being wounded.”

Despite strict rules, Major Dennis wrote to his mother, he had to help this dog. “I won’t even address the gauntlet. He had to run off a pack of dogs, wolves and god knows what else to get here…when he arrived he looked like he had been through a war zone,” Dennis wrote.

Weeks went by, and Nubbs was dealt another blow,

“Someone told on them that they had the dog and they had 4 days to get rid of him or Nubbs was going to be shot,” Cargo said.

That’s when the Marine made it his mission to get Nubbs to safety. He wrote, “Nubbs was going to America, this dog had been through a lifetime of fighting war, abuse, and had tracked our team over 70 miles of harsh desert (and) was going to live the good life.”

The major started an e-mail campaign that crisscrossed continents. Within two days there was three thousand dollars to bring Nubbs home.

“The hardest part was getting him across the Jordanian border,” Cargo told us.

But, in keeping with the rest of this story, the duo defied the odds. Major Dennis was able to get Nubbs into Jordan. A family here in The U.S. will take care of him there until these friends can be reunited.

American Kennel Club Backs Out of Petland Deal!

Here’s an update about the amazingly ill-conceived AKC deal with the Petland chain of pet stores. It seems the AKC management have heard all the complaints from across the US from many breed clubs and backed away from the arrangement.

Way to go Dogsters and everyone else who growled their upset into the AKC! You made the difference! You’re the reason puppy mills and their middle demons like the Hunte Corporation will not be legitimized any more than they already are in pet stores like Petland. Good work! Keep up the good work! Working like a pack we can make a difference!

Thanks to Roxie’s mom, Karen for barking in!

Karen wrote:

Hi Joy,
I’m not sure if you have seen this but it looks like AKC has pulled back and is not going through with the Petland agreement. Once again the voices of reason have been heard.

At the September Delegates Meeting AKC reported that we had reached an agreement with Petland in order to facilitate the registration of dogs that are already AKC registrable.

Precedence: bulk

AKC’s Board of Directors and management believed that this agreement would have helped to further the mission of the AKC. Promoting responsible dog ownership to new puppy owners, implementing our care and conditions policies, and exposing more dog owners to AKC educational programs and services would have had even greater reach.

In the past few weeks we have received many comments about this agreement, both positive and negative. We have listened to the concerns and because this issue has become so divisive, we believe it is in the best interest of our sport and the American Kennel Club not to go forward with this initiative.

Ron Menaker, Chairman of the Board
Dennis B. Sprung, President and CEO

Protestors Picket Petland About Over Alleged Puppy Mills

SAN ANTONIO -- A small group of protestors picketed a Petland store on Sunday, asking people considering a new pet to think of all their options before their purchase.Concerned Citizens Against Puppy Mills picketed the store in the Vineyard shopping center at Loop 1604 and Blanco Road.They urged shoppers to consider adoption when choosing a new pet rather than purchasing a pet from retailers they said are supplied with animals from “puppy mills.”A “puppy mill” is a breeding kennel that may be harmful to its animal occupants, according to the Humane Society.“In my case, I bought a puppy, and within one day, I found out he was infected with (parvovirus),” protestor Holly Pridmore said. “When I did my research, I found out that my puppy came from a puppy mill and puppy mills are mass breeding facilities that are located all over the United States.”Canine parvovirus – commonly abbreviated as CPV – is an infectious disease passed between contact with infected dogs and attacks the intestinal tract, according to the American Animal Hospital Associaition.Pridmore said people searching for pets should consider other services, such as the city of San Antonio’s Animal Care Services.

Mary of Mentor OH (02/12/08)

I purchased a Westie from this Mentor Store. Since the first day I brought her home she had diarrhea and blood in it. She did this many times a day. I told their vet that since the first visit that she had this going on. He brushed it off and said he didn't see it in the stool sample. But he gave me medicine to harden up her stool. Some antibiotic. Well 2 visits later and many bloody stools of diarrhea, I went back to the vet. He said that this may be a condition she may have for her lifetime. After she got spayed, by the third visit she still had bloody diarrhea. I called concerned about her swelling after her surgery. The vet was very bothered by me coming back. Of course I had to bring 3 stool samples of bloody diarrhea so he could take his pick at which one to look at. He called me in and wanted me to assist to find the bloody poop. I was shocked. Isn't this his job to do that?

Anyway he asked, "Haven't you ever had a puppy?" Like I should be used to seeing this bloody diarrhea. Well after calling Bob the owner and voicing my concerns to pay for the vet bills, he offered to pay. After falling on the ice from cleaning out the cage and cleaning up about 4 messes in 1 day, I had enough! So I showed up at the shop on a Sunday during a busy time. I took pictures of the dog with a bloody diarrhea, poopy cage. And I went to the local CVS to get big prints made. I walked into the store with our sick puppy, all her food and items and the meds she was on. I flashed the pictures to the lady at the desk. She yelled at me and told me to put them away. Then she had another lady to talk with me. The look of shock from the pictures of the poop said it all.

To make a long story short I said I couldn't clean up 1 more mess and that my back was hurting. So I turned over the dog. They demanded papers on the dog. Well after an hour went by, I marched back up and demanded the papers on the dog back. And I said I wanted our puppy back. Well the worker called Bob. Of course they tried to get me to talk quietly in the office. Well after realizing that I walked out of the office. I was getting an attitude from the owner. So I told him I want a full refund, or I'm going to the news and newspapers. He said if I did that he wouldn't work with me, and that I was being out of control. I told him I didn't plan on buying a sick dog! So he offered to have the dog monitored for a few days until he gets back in town, and then we would talk. I hope I did the right thing to hand over the dog. And I hope he gives me a refund--a full one! Being a young widow with 2 young kids, he really took advantage! But I am not gonna give up. I'll have him and his store on the news if that's what it takes!

I spent over $1,000 on this dog! And I can't afford to have to keep up with the vet visits, etc. I also fell on the ice trying to clean out the cage. I messed up my back.

Guy of Cape Coral FL (02/10/08)

I bought an Italian Greyhound in the end of 2006. The dog was ill the week after, throwing up and could not hold down food. I took the dog to the Vet linked to Petland; they told me to give her medicated food, and she should be okay in a few days. This dog was not eating or drinking, and was weak. And this was the advice of a Vet. After about 3 hours, the dog was whining and screaming all day. We finally took her to our own vet, and the dog had pneumonia, and was almost dead. We called Petland to state this, and they stated we should have revisited the vet they use, and would not pay the bill. Now the dog has chronic issues, spinal deformity, wobble syndrome, muscle and nerve issues.

The results are this dog will have life-long medical needs beyond my ability to pay. These dogs are supposed to be well breed, and good blood lines; this looks like a mill puppy situation. The papers given when you buy the dogs state pure breed; the results of the dog I have purchased show this as being false. This dog now has to be seen by a nerve and spinal DR in Sarasota to see if this is life-challenging. They need to pay for this dog's medical. and return my money for selling me a sick dog. This is by no means a good experience. I love this dog, and she's family, and we'll do whatever it takes, but this company needs to be held accountable. And I will do whatever to make sure this is known.

Beth of Bremen OH (02/09/08)

In August 2004, I entered Petland in Lancaster, Ohio. I have been in there quite a few times as I love to pet the kitties, but this time I really looked at the Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier. I had seen him there before, and I used to go in once a week. I of course fell in love instantly. He was 4 months old. His price was $1300.00 but because he had been there so long they were willing to come down to $600.00. Well, I went home, told my husband and he said yes, so I went back to get him. Now, I will tell you he was pretty good--that is for about a week. All of a sudden, his skin turned black and he itched awful. His ears were infected as well. I had already taken him in to their vet for the initial vaccinations and exam, and he was in perfect health they said (of course).

Well he is now 3 years old, on Prednisone every day, on Benadryl every day and has to eat special food that costs $40.00 a bag. I have spent over $2500.00 on vet bills. He is such a good boy, and we all love him so much. I did locate his birth place, and it is a puppy mill. I should learn my lesson, but I went in to a different one last week and found an older lab/basset mix. I probably will get him; someone has to save these puppies.

Marla of Melbourne FL (02/03/08)

I purchased a Sheltie puppy from the Petland in Viera, Florida on December 21, 2007 for my parents who had recently lost their two Shelties. The same night she was purchased, she started coughing. We took her to Petland's vet as per our contract and were told she had kennel cough, possibly from her vaccination for kennel cough just days before. We were given meds and there was high pressure by the vet to get her next round of vaccinations (which we would have to pay for) while we were there. I immediately lost faith and trust in the vet when they wanted to vaccinate a sick puppy. I declined the vaccinations and all the other supplies that they tried to pressure me to buy while I was there. I did the nebulizer treatment that Petland has in its store for a week, and gave her antibiotics and still she coughed. When I returned to the vet, each time they recommended vaccinating her, and I declined saying I didn't want her to get them while she was sick. Eventually, after a month went by and our puppy was no better, I went back to the vet and was told that Petland would not cover her vet bills, and that our contract was null and void with them, due to not following their vet's advice and getting her vaccinated. I left the vet's office that day telling them that neither they nor Petland care about their pets! I have since been seeing my own vet at the Melbourne Animal Hospital who advised me to hold off on all vaccinations until she gets over this bought of kennel cough. I'm just glad that I did not follow Petland's vet's advice. They just want to make money and don't seem to care about animals.

Kathy of Kenosha WI (01/22/08)

I purchased a Maltese puppy that was born back in 12-1995: a female. She had a small illness, they covered all costs, and we did take her to our own vet. Then we purchased a male Maltese that was born on 2-1996 after he had been there for months and months.The poor litrle guy was filthy and under weight. We purchased him ONLY because we felt so bad for him. He had a broken tail due to over-crowding, a cold and upper chest infection, ear mites and diarrhea. They paid for all our vet costs again. We paid $799 for the female and talked them down on the price of the male to $550--after telling them I'd make their store go through what they were putting these puppies through! Have never been back there to this day.

They covered everything. Both are wonderful little dogs with bad knee caps and messed up legs.

Diandra of Clermont FL (01/19/08)

My husband and I purchased a golden retriever puppy on January 8, 2008 from Petland. The following morning we went to their recommended vet because we noticed a green discharge coming from her nose. She has kennel cough. We did not have to pay for that visit because it was covered in our purchase of the puppy. We did however request another fecal sample and giardia test because she also had loose stool. We paid for that out of pocket and were told that the test was negative. We voiced our concern because giardia can be passed to other dogs and to people. We have 4 other dogs and 3 children in the house. Around January 17th, the stool became very loose so I took her to my local vet on Saturday the 20th only to find out in fact she does have giardia which she obviously had when we purchased her 11 days prior. We paid again out of pocket to treat her and now that my other dogs and family have been exposed there is a possibility that they will also have to be treated. When I contacted the pet store and their vet, I was told that they would not pay for her treatment expense because we didn't go to their vet which is the vet that tested her 10 days ago and told us she was negative for this.

We have had to pay $101.00 in vet expenses and will have to pay for more medication in 3 weeks on top of the purchase price of the animal because we were sold a sick puppy. Also my family is at risk for becoming sick with this bacteria along with my other four dogs which will mean more vet bills.

Mary of Sevierville TN (01/13/08)

On 11/18/07, I bought a papillon for my daughter for her birthday/Christmas gift. When I bought her, she weighed 1.5 pounds. Three weeks later she had a runny stool and occasionally there would be blood in the stool. On 1/08/08, I came home from work and she was lying down and I thought she was dead. A few minutes later my daughter hears her whining and she could not get up. The vet said she was seizing. She tried to save little Daisy, and she finally got her warm because by the time I got to the vet with her she was nearly dead. The vet said she had a bad heart and would never lead a normal life. She called Ms. Adams at the store and Ms. Adams said she personally checks all the dogs herself. So the vet is mailing her the findings and I'm going back to the store to argue my case.

The vet bill came to $158.00 but the vet said it could run higher just to keep her alive. It is a sad thing to have to explain to a child that her dog has to be put to sleep because it has a birth defect.

Jessica of Coal City WV (01/11/08)

We purchased an Italian Greyhound at PetLand. The dog itself was $1,393.88. (That's not including all of the other stuff we had to get for her.) We had her for 5 days altogether. We took her on the third day for her first vet visit and found out that she had Kennel Cough. So we got the meds for her and started her on them. The next day when we got up she was vomiting and had bloody stool. We called PetLand and told them about the bloody stool, and they told us that it was normal for her to have bloody stool--that it could be from stress. But when her stool turned to nothing but runny blood, we took her to the vet. A Parvo test was run and came back positive. We told PetLand that we couldn't afford to keep her in the vet's, so they gave us a check and told us that if the dog made it through we would have the option to buy her back after she was well.

Well, she died tonight and we called PetLand and told them we paid in cash and we wanted cash back--not a check. So now we are waiting to see if they will do that. Our daughter is 2 years old, and this was her first puppy. We were attached, also. And now we're out a puppy and money for everything that we bought for the dog that can't be used again for another dog because she had Parvo. I think pet stores like PetLand should be closed down. Puppy mills are animal cruelty. If someone like you or me did half the stuff like they do to animals, we would be locked up for life. Why are they still in business? I just don't understand. I will probably be leaving more messages on here when we find out more from PetLand.

Karen of Pittsburgh PA (01/11/08)

I lost my Yorkshire terrier after 14 years, and a week later walked into Petland to see if I was ready to buy a new dog. The first one I saw looked just like the one I had to put down. Holding her I talked to the manager; she assured me the dog did not come from a puppy mill. I asked if the dog checked out healthy. She said the dog had a respiratory infection, that she had her last dose of medicine that morning, and the vet had just seen her and checked her out. I paid $1899 for the dog; they wanted $2199. The dog only weighed 2.5 lbs. I got home and put the dog down, and as soon as she started moving around she was breathing bad. I called the store, talked to the girl I bought her from, and said this dog is breathing bad; she told me to bring her back to their vet tomorrow. I asked, "Why would I do that when your vet this same day said this dog was fine?" She said if I went to my own vet they would not pay.

I went to my vet. The dog was VERY sick with kennel cough and severe upper respiratory infection. I reported this to Petland and again was told they would not pay. In 6 days I acquired almost $500 in vet bills, I had 2 emergency visits when the dog could hardly breathe, she was put in a nebulizer, 3 types of medicine, etc. I spent every moment for 6 days nursing this dog and had the dog constantly under a vaporizer. When I would call Petland to report these problems there were two times they didn't even ask what dog or my name--just said they were not paying. I do believe that this dog would not have lived had I not bought it. This ordeal has been 2 weeks; the dog still breathes hard in activity. I have also learned the dog has an enlarged heart. When I told Petland this, I was told to show xrays for a refund.

I cannot now return a dog I am attached to. I love this dog. What I want to get from all this is my $500 plus what I paid, in a check not made to me but to an animal rescue organization that I choose. I have filed a claim with all documentation to the attorney general. I am hoping that something can be done to help these dogs that Petland really doesn't care for properly. It is all about business to them.

Mikki of Charleston WV (01/06/08)

I purchased an English Bulldog from PetLand in Corridor G, South Charleston. The asking amount on the dog was $3700.00. The guy helping me was really nice and he ran my credit and I was only approved for $3000.00 so he cut me a deal which I thought was a good one. He told me that bulldogs are very good around other dogs and are easy to maintain and train. I brought the pup home and he immediatly starting chasing and terrorizing my 2 pound chihuahua and pinned her on the couch. I also had asked the guy if the dog had come from any type of puppy mill or anything like that and he said, "NO, I personally go and check the dogs out and purchase them," and he made it seem like the dog was from the area and he deals will a breeder from here.

Well once I purchased the dog I found that it was from MO and was shipped here. Every time he ate he had runny stool that had blood in it. I tried to keep him in a kennel cage while I was at work and he pooped in the cage, sat and played in it until I got home. The night before I returned him he had runny bowl movements almost every hour of the night. I took him to the vet in hopes that if something was wrong he could write a letter stating that he was unsuitable to be sold but he couldn't find the problem. I returned the puppy the same day I took him to the vet and the woman told me I had to pay 50% of the fee of the dog for returning him or I would have to keep him. She hand wrote my return on the back of my receipt and made me sign it stating I would pay the fee in order to return the dog. She didn't give me a return receipt or anything and when my bill came the full amount of the dog was still on it. So I had to call for a straight week and everytime I called nobody wanted to know any information about me, they just said It's been taken care of. Everyone was extremely rude and unhelpful.

I am now paying $1500.00 for a dog that I no longer have. PetLand messed me over in more ways than one. They take advantage of people and talk up a lot of their sales. I have a dog at home and I was trying to keep her from getting sick from him and looking into his best interest because I knew I could not make a suitable caregiver for him once I got him into my home.

Keri of Janesville WI (01/06/08)

We rescued a St. Bernard from Petland last July. She had been at the store for over 2 months, and had outgrown the pen space. She had a sign on her cage that stated "make an offer on me, I am too big for my cage." We made an offer, and brought her home. We visited a vet the very next day, and had her vaccinated, and checked. She had a severe rash on her belly, which turned out to be Giardia, a parasite infection from an unclean enviroment. We had to treat this four times before it cleared up. Right away we noticed that she limped, and thought at first it was from being in a cage for over 2 months with no exercise. Not so. She was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 5 months old, and has severe problems getting up. Because of her bad hips, her knees go out and cause severe pain. We never intended to have a show dog, we saved her to be our beloved friend and companion. Since we paid very little for her, Petland would give us NO guarantee on her health. We LOVE her, and now face many, many expensive vet bills to try to keep her walking and healthy. BEWARE OF PETS FROM PETLAND!

Adrian of Norcross GA (12/22/07)

Why is Petland still in business? They are selling sick, misrepresented, overpriced animals to unsuspecting, trusting consumers that only want a pet to love and care for. I think that it is sick and someone needs to shut them all down! My gripe is with Petland in Alpharetta, GA. They really got me good! I purchased what I was told was a PUREBRED Yorkshire Terrier for $2100 from them Christmas 2006, and almost a year later I find that my dog is a mixed-breed--NOT a PUREBRED, as advertised. I am trying to resolve this with corporate now because when I addressed this matter about 6 months ago, the store management was rude and very unprofessional.

Debra of Tavares FL (12/19/07)

I purchased a Papillion Puppy from Petland in Leesburg, I did not know that he was very sick and he almost died. The main thing that he had was Phenomena (among other things). We have saved his life thanks to a wonderful vet. I have tried calling Petland and contacting their corp. office. The store told me that I could send into the insurance company and get $800.00 towards the vet bill and wouldn't talk to me any further, and they didn't care how the puppy was. Their corp. office couldn't even get the store to call them back so they said that they couldn't help either.

My puppy is doing better and is going to live, he was in the hospital for 6 days and he has to keep going to the vet for blood work and X-rays until the Pneumonia is gone and my vet bill is going to go over $2,000 before I am done. He is a part of our family and a wonderful puppy. My point is that this pet store doesn't care and won't even talk to me. I know from talking to people that I am not alone, this has happened a lot to people. There is a warranty for up to the price of the dog but what about the fact that I supposedly purchased a healthy puppy.

He is adorable and weighed 2 lbs. 5 oz. when I got him. The important thing is my puppy is going to be O.K. but it is not right what they are doing. I have all of the vet notes and bills and even a page from the pet store showing were he had lost 3 oz. and they did nothing about it and when you don't weigh much more than that, that is a lot!!!

Mary of Colorado Springs CO (12/18/07)

Back in 1996 we purchased our Samoyed dog from Petland in Niles, Ohio. Within 6 months our vet diagnosed the puppy with hip dysplasia, and he had to be operated on. Petland made us bring in the Xrays, and a letter from our vet stating that the dog really did have dysplasia. They offered to replace our puppy with a new one, but we were already attached to him, and would not give him up, knowing what they would do to him.

It ended up costing us $2,000 in vet bills, plus he had to be neutered right away so that he would not pass it on to his puppies. He ended up later having an enlarged heart, mammary tumor, and had to be euthenized in July due to stomach cancer. The only thing that Petland would do for us was give us $300 towards his hip surgeries.

Dm of Mulberry FL (12/10/07)

We purchased a maltese puppy for $1600.00. The papers we received showed a 6 generation bloodline. But come to find out our little guy had only 3 toes (that the doctor missed) and was not show worthy. Now we loved the little guy and therefore did not return him to be destroyed, which was Petlands only response to our situation. Now this was the second strike as the lab we paid $500 for from the same Petland testicles never would drop and he could not be bred. His lineage was also AKC registered. It is my belief that Petland sells dogs that are turned down from other dealers and/or breeders and they buy them at a discount and sell them as though nothing is wrong with them. They know that once the animal is in your home it is hard to give them back, and they let you know that if you give the animal back it is to be destroyed.

Our maltese constantly tries to knaw off his foot, he must be watched and should be medicated for the rest of his life. The lab had to have surgery which cost $450.00. Neither animal will be worth what the papers lead you to believe. They can not be bred.

Janice of Louisville TN (11/18/07)

I purchased a Maltese puppy from the above Petland on 11/10/07, 1:29 PM, according to receipt. The pup was apparently ill as it died while under the care of a veterinarian four days later.

The cost of the Maltese and supplies (foods and a medication to prevent hypoglycemia) recommended by Petland came to a total of $1,260.58. The vet bill was nearly $300.00.

The monetary and emotional cost has been great. When I called Ms. Adams, she expressed no concern about my loss, financial or emotional. She assured me that there was no warranty on the dog, and expressed no intent to reimburse me for selling me a sick dog.

Michelle of Liverpool NY (11/14/07)

We purchased a black lab from Petland of Syracuse in February. I brought my kids with me, so the salespeople were aware of their ages (10, 7 and 4). I was assured by the consultant that this breed was a good family dog.

Recently she attacked two of my children, on two separate occasions, causing injury and terror. In both cases, the attack was unprovoked. She has been to training (6 weeks) She has plenty of room to run and gets lots of exercise. She is well taken care of.

After doing some research about the animals that Petland sells, I worried that our dog could have some genetic deficit that casues her to snap. When I called Petland for some advice, the owner, Jeffrey F, would not come to the phone. I was told he would call me back and he did not. He only returned my call after I said that I was putting the dog in the car to bring her to the store.

Once there Jeff explained to me that it was a behavior issue and that we must be training our dog to behave this way. He suggested that I get a personal dog trainer. When I asked about the training that was supposed to be a part of the VERY EXPENSIVE package we got with the dog, he showed me the 1-800 number!!! He sold me a phone number, no real help. This is clearly a dangerous situation, but he offered nothing.