Offers galore to help overseas pooch

FULTON, Mo., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Money has become the easy part in trying to get Niki, the adopted dog of a soldier in Baghdad, to a new home in central Missouri.

Don Smith said he has received many offers of help with his son's adopted stray in Baghdad, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday. The Smiths, family of Pfc. Jeremiah Smith, are trying to get Niki shipped to their home in Fulton, Mo.

Don Smith, 46, said that he has received pledges from strangers to cover the $1,000 or more it will cost to get Niki transported. He said he urged callers to make donations to organizations that help animals overseas and will do the same with any surplus he receives.

The U.S. military does not transport animals that service personnel adopt on duty assignments, such as Iraq.

Don Smith said he is working on arrangements to transport Niki as soon as possible. His son, Jeremiah, is a military policeman, who is expected to remain in Iraq until summer.