Marine Major Brian Dennis, who took in and shipped home a dog named Nubs while serving in Iraq, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday.Brian found Nubs — a stray whose ears had been cut off — while on patrol and nursed him back to health.An F18 pilot, Brian took in the abused dog, but was forced to relocate. Nubs later tracked him down 70 miles away.
After that, Dennis, with $3,500 of his own money and contributions from others, had the dog shipped home. Dennis returned to the U.S. last month and was reunited with Nubs.
If it sounds like a book or a movie, just wait: It likely will be both.Ellen gave Brian and Nubs $15,000 (coughed up by PETCO) and a lifetime supply of dog food from Halo, a company she recently became co-owner of and, as the photo shows, is pretty good at getting free advertising for.Photo by Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.
I was so touched by this story for many reasons. First I am the daughter, wife, sister, mother and mother-in-law of present and retired military members. I know military see some horrible things - some so horrible they can never get over, but being in these circumstances can lead them into some extraordinary and wonderful outcomes.
I am also the owner of a 1 yr old Mini Schnauzer and a 7 yr old Yorkie. Last year we lost our 15 year old Lab/Golden mix. He was our only child’s best friend. Megan grew up with the dog she named Sunny, as we got him when she was in kindergarten. When he died, it was almost like she lost a brother. She (an MS4 and future Army Chaplain) and her new husband (who is heading off to USMC boot camp on Monday) have just adopted 2 dogs from a local shelter in Momence, Illinios.
I know that Nubs is blessed by the Major’s compassion and love. I believe there is a reason that Nubs was put in his life. On the surface when you hear this story, you think the dog is the lucky one, but I think they are both blessed to have each other. I’d bet that Nubs brought a little bit of unconditional love, and maybe even momentary relief, to all the soldiers and marines he met in the Gulf. I wish the Major and Nubs a long, happy life together. God bless you both and all those whose lives you touch.
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Marine Major Brian Dennis, who took in and shipped home a dog named Nubs while serving in Iraq, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show yesterday.Brian found Nubs — a stray whose ears had been cut off — while on patrol and nursed him back to health.An F18 pilot, Brian took in the abused dog, but was forced to relocate. Nubs later tracked him down 70 miles away.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I was so touched by this story for many reasons. First I am the daughter, wife, sister, mother and mother-in-law of present and retired military members. I know military see some horrible things - some so horrible they can never get over, but being in these circumstances can lead them into some extraordinary and wonderful outcomes.
I am also the owner of a 1 yr old Mini Schnauzer and a 7 yr old Yorkie. Last year we lost our 15 year old Lab/Golden mix. He was our only child’s best friend. Megan grew up with the dog she named Sunny, as we got him when she was in kindergarten. When he died, it was almost like she lost a brother. She (an MS4 and future Army Chaplain) and her new husband (who is heading off to USMC boot camp on Monday) have just adopted 2 dogs from a local shelter in Momence, Illinios.
I know that Nubs is blessed by the Major’s compassion and love. I believe there is a reason that Nubs was put in his life. On the surface when you hear this story, you think the dog is the lucky one, but I think they are both blessed to have each other. I’d bet that Nubs brought a little bit of unconditional love, and maybe even momentary relief, to all the soldiers and marines he met in the Gulf. I wish the Major and Nubs a long, happy life together. God bless you both and all those whose lives you touch.