Iraqi dog gave U.S. soldier hope

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A dog rescued in Iraq by U.S. Navy medic Fred Kasper gave him something to look forward to until he could return home, his aunt says.

Anita Kasper said after her nephew found the dog in the war-torn country, the animal became a source of inspiration until the dog was delivered to St. Louis County, Mo., this week, the St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch said Thursday.

"It really gave him something to look forward to," said Anita Kasper, who picked up the dog at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on Wednesday. "It gave him something to find comfort in."

Kasper said with her nephew scheduled to ship out to a new location, the dog was sent to the United States thanks to the efforts of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International.

Now Kasper says she is trying to raise funds to help pay for similar deliveries of pets adopted by U.S. soldiers overseas. She told the Post-Dispatch all funds would be given to SPCA officials for the overseas deliveries, which each cost thousands of dollars.