Being away from home, and living in a war-torn country is both scary and isolating. For one soldier, a new best friend made his days more liveable. Until one day, the soldier had to leave his best friend behind and it broke his heart.
Ken Wyrsch met a stray puppy near the army base in Iraq. Immediately, the pup, whom he named Ollie, gave Ken the comfort he desperately craved. The other soldiers on base who met Ollie also fell in love with him. He was such a wonderful addition to the hardworking crew.
Ollie would wait on base when the soldiers were on missions and anxiously await their return. Coming “home” to his wagging tail and furry hugs reminded the soldiers that there’s a world, and life, far beyond the vacuum they were living in.
Then, Ken got some upsetting news. The army base was being shut down. While it was a relief he would be sent back home to California, the closure of the base meant Ollie would be back on the streets. Due to strict customs laws, Ollie could not just board a plane and come home with Ken.
