Iraqi Dog “Nubs” Befriended US Marine And Walked Through Warzones With Them!
Amid war-torn Iraq, a remarkable story of friendship emerged between a stray dog and a U.S. Marine. The Iraqi dog named ‘Nubs’ was a scrappy and resilient mixed breed. It formed an extraordinary bond with Major Brian Dennis, a Marine deployed to Iraq in 2007. Despite the harsh conditions and dangers of the conflict zone, Nubs and Major Dennis developed a deep connection. They had a journey filled with determination, loyalty, and hope.
Nubs earned his name because his ears had been cruelly cut off, possibly to make him a tougher guard dog, a common practice in the region. However, this small, resilient dog found his way to Major Dennis’s unit, stationed near the Syrian border. Major Dennis liked Nubs from the moment he saw it. However, later he saw that the dog was suffering from abuse. Despite his suffering, Nubs showed a remarkable capacity for trust and affection. Let’s dive into their heartwarming story.
A Stray’s Struggle and a Marine’s Compassion
Major Brian Dennis was a marine pilot on his second tour in Iraq back in 2007. A pack of desert dogs lived at one of the Iraqi border forts that his unit patrolled. A wiry German shepherd-border collie mix was the alpha dog. Major Brian Dennis took a liking to the animal, whose nubby ears had been cut off as a puppy. Dennis, a 36-year-old Marine, saw the dog about each time they visited the fort. He named him “Nubs.”
The bond between Iraqi dog Nubs and Dennis deepened when the dog was found shivering in the cold desert, bleeding from a stab wound inflicted by a local Iraqi. Someone had stabbed Nubs with a screwdriver, a brutal act that could have easily ended his life. But Major Dennis and his team were determined to save him. They cleaned his wounds, provided him with medical care, and shared their rations with him. Over time, Iraqi dog Nubs began to heal, not just physically but emotionally, as he experienced kindness and care perhaps for the first time.
Iraqi Dog Nubs’ Journey Through the Desert
The Marines’ camp was a temporary post, and soon Major Dennis’s unit received orders to relocate 70 miles away. As much as Dennis wanted to take Iraqi dog Nubs with him, military regulations forbade it. With a heavy heart, he left Nubs behind. What happened next is proof of the unbreakable bond between them. Nubs, sensing that his new friend had left, began a journey that seemed impossible for a dog in his condition. Against all odds, Nubs walked 70 miles through the harsh Iraqi desert, navigating the dangerous terrain and the extreme weather to reunite with Major Dennis and his unit.
After two days of walking, Nubs arrived at the new base, exhausted and frail but determined. “I won’t even address the gauntlet he had to run of dog packs, wolves, and God knows what else to get here, “When he arrived he looked like he’d just been through a war zone.”Uh, wait a minute, he had,” Dennis wrote. His determination and devotion astounded Major Dennis and his fellow Marines. This incredible act solidified the bond between them and convinced Major Dennis that Iraqi dog Nubs needed to be part of his life permanently.
When he arrived he looked like he’d just been through a war zone
Major Dennis
Breaking the Rules to Save Iraqi Dog Nubs
However, military regulations strictly prohibited adopting local animals, and Dennis faced a tough decision. He could either find a way to send Nubs to safety or risk leaving him behind once again. Determined not to lose his canine friend, Dennis decided to bend the rules. He reached out to friends and family back home, who helped him raise $5,000 to fly Iraqi dog Nubs from Iraq to the United States.
The process was not simple. Dennis had to get permission from his commanding officers, arrange for Nubs’s transport across the Iraqi border, and ensure he was medically cleared to travel. With the help of his fellow Marines and some sympathetic locals, Dennis managed to get Nubs to Amman, Jordan. In Amman, the King of Jordan’s royal veterinarian checked Nubs. From there, Nubs was flown to San Diego, where he was met by a friend of Dennis who would care for him until Dennis returned from his deployment.
From Warzone to a New Life in America
After a long journey fraught with uncertainty, Nubs finally made it to the United States. He was welcomed with open arms by Dennis’s friends and quickly adjusted to his new life. When Major Dennis returned from Iraq, the reunion was heartwarming. Iraqi dog Nubs had gone from a stray dog struggling to survive in a war zone to living in a loving home in America. His story of perseverance and loyalty captured the hearts of many, making headlines and even leading to a children’s book titled Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle. The book, co-authored by Major Dennis, recounts their incredible journey and the lessons of hope, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
The story of the bonding of Dennis and Nubs elevated them into some sort of celebrity. They were invited into taking up couch space with appearances on the “Today” show and “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien“. And now there is some talk about a movie deal as well.
Conclusion
The journey of the Iraqi dog Nubs and U.S. Marine Major Brian Dennis is a heartwarming tale of friendship and loyalty that blossomed in the unlikeliest of circumstances. It teaches us about the resilience of animals and the profound impact of compassion and love, even amidst the chaos of war. Their bond, forged in the crucible of conflict, stands as a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the incredible spirit of both man and dog. Amid war, a stray dog and a Marine found hope and friendship, proving that kindness knows no boundaries.
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