Ratchet, The Dog, Confiscated by the Military, Soldier Devastated

US Military threatens to kill pet of deployed US Soldier

http://digg.com/political_opinion/US_Military_threatens_to_kill_pet_of_deployed_US_Soldier

A US Solder, held in Iraq over 15 months longer than her original commitment to the Army, saved a puppy some months ago. The puppy was scheduled to be shipped out of the war zone to the soldier's parents in MN by Baghdad Pups, but the military seized puppy en route to the airport. Now the puppy might be killed to punish the soldier.

Ratchet, The Dog, Confiscated by the Military, Soldier Devastate.

Washington, DC October 1st - Operation Baghdad Pups is a SPCA International (www.SPCA.com) initiative created to provide medical care, clearance and transport for the animals our U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East. Today, the United States military committed a crime against their own mentally wounded U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. Commanding officers ordered the confiscation of a dog, Ratchet, befriended by a group of soldiers during a 15th month of deployment. Ratchet has been a lifeline to Sgt. Gwen Beberg. This morning, Ratchet was on his way to SPCA International rescue experts at the Baghdad Airport to be flown home to Gwen's parents in Minneapolis, MN when Sgt. Beberg's commanding officers ordered Ratchet confiscated and held in Iraq to face certain death.

“This year has been extremely difficult on my daughter and her family. It has been a year of disappointments, loneliness, and fear because of all the sacrifices the army has required of Gwen. Ratchet was the savior of her sanity. Now they have cruelly ripped Ratchet away from her and sentenced him to death. I don't know how my daughter will cope. Ratchet has been her lifeline,” explains Sgt. Beberg's mother, Patricia Beberg. Gwen Beberg, a decorated soldier, has been held by the military more than 15 months past her original commitment due to the stop-loss policy and now the military that asked extraordinary sacrifice from her has crushed her by ripping her lifeline away. Now, Sgt. Beberg is under military investigation for befriending the dog that saved her life.

It is against military regulations for active duty troops to befriend animals - Soldiers can face immediate court-marshal and some even see their animals brutally murdered by a direct gunshot to the head from commanding officers who will not bend the rules. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East befriend animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The military refuses to help or formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded soldiers. Veterans returned from Iraq are committing suicide at twice the rate of average Americans. The dogs and cats befriended by our troops rescued by Operation Baghdad Pups are providing proven pet therapy to soldiers who may otherwise suffer from PTSD and deep depression.

http://www.spca.com/press/item/56

US Military threatens to kill pet of deployed US Soldier

http://digg.com/political_opinion/US_Military_threatens_to_kill_pet_of_deployed_US_Soldier

First Ruffed Grouse Hunt 2008

This past weekend I was hunting by Ely, MN.
I've hunted up there at least one early weekend for the past 10 years.

On Saturday I saw / heard 8 birds, shot at 2 and got both.

I started with my new Setter Tina ( http://www.hunt.mn/tina.htm ) She has been used as a Guide Dog on hunts before. I was nervous that she would run way to big for me. She actually was about right. I think that if a few more of the leafs had been down we would have been a good match.

She got 1 of the two birds.

Marge and Fergie were hunted together. Marge is a 12 year old English setter and still can hunt far a good period of time. Fergie is a 10.5 yr old Pointer who is mostly blind. She seems to see somewhat when it is sunny outside and enjoys going down the trails and taking her time through the woods.

They did well and we got one bird on the hunt. Marge did end up running off, I'm guessing that she was chasing a deer. She got out to 700 yards. I ended up getting my truck and driving back to where she had taken off. She actually came back and was hunting the other side of the trail.
I was using the Garmin Astro on her for the first time and was really pleased with how well it worked.

Sunday wasn't as productive. We only saw one and heard 1 other bird. We ended up calling it a day around 2 pm so that I could make the drive back to St. Paul.

Coming Soon - Reviews of hunting gear that I am actually using.

http://www.HuntingGearGuide.com


http://www.hunt.mn
Hunt over 6000 acres of private land in Minnesota
All wild game. Pheasant Duck Goose Deer Bear

Garmin Astro GPS Dog Tracker

My Garmin Astro arrived this weekend.
I wanted to get one last year but held off while hoping for an upgrade dunit this year.
The new dog collar portion looks way better than the unit they had last year.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it this coming weekend while chasing grouse.
Just hoping for good weather.

I'll post an update as soon as I have a chance to use it.


Shamelss Plug
http://www.hunt.mn
Hunt over 6000 acres of private land in Minnesota
All wild game.

New Dog

Picked up a new dog last Sunday.
She is from Northwoods Bird Dogs. www.northwoodsbirddogs.com
I looked at a lot of options and she looked like a good fit for us.

Both of her parents are Coverdog Champions and she has been used guiding for grouse and quail.
I'll have to get her used to Pheasants as soon as possible.

Excited for hunting season to hit full stride.
Actually looks like it might be fairly warm this weekend so might skip hunting and get the house chores done.

Shamelss Plug
http://www.hunt.mn
Hunt 1000's of acres in Minnesota

Another Game Fair

Hit Game Fair 2007 last weekend.
Some new stuff - lots of the same old.
Was hoping to see the Garmin Astro in live use but they weren't there.

A new training collar system was there. Their collars just do the vibrate and don't have the zap portion included. They say all you need to do is get their attention.