From Baghdad with Love by Jay Kopelman (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

for displaced Iraqi families and infirm people. It also served as the center of the jobs program that Marines and their Iraqi counterparts organized to assist the people of Fallujah in getting back to self-sustenance.

MSG Dan Doyle ane me, following a firefight in Fallujah.

NPR correspondent Anne Garrels interviews an Iraqi soldier/interpreter outside a mosque in Fallujah, Iraq, November 2004. Annie was instrumental in caring for Lava and securing his evacuation from Iraq. We will be forever in her debt. NOTE: Faces of Iraqis are obscured throughout for their protection.

Major Chris Curtin and I stand on the berm at the Iraqi border where it intersects the borders of Iraq, Jordan, and Syria.

Marine sergeant Tim O’Brien following a particularly ferocious firefight. His actions that day while manning a MK-19 grenade launcher atop the team’s High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) no doubt saved countless lives. Sergeant O’Brien braved an onslaught of enemy fire from an exposed position to ensure that his comrades could get into position to repel the insurgents’ attack.

Lava’s new digs at Camp Fallujah. Mat Hammond enlisted the expertise and skills of the local Seabees, who built this crate for Lava. The Marines caring for Lava filled it with blankets and toys, and when he grew too large to live inside, prepared it as a doghouse in the area behind their quarters.

Standing in front of a border fort that was occupied by the Iraqi Special Border Police, also known as the Desert Wolves. There are many such forts now along Iraq’s borders with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The Iraqi forces man these forts to ensure that no insurgents are entering Iraq at unmanned points.

Saying goodbye to my new best friend in January 2005, just minutes before I boarded a helicopter that would take me to the Iraqi border with Syria. I didn’t know—nor did I believe—I’d ever see the little guy again.

Waiting for our “freedom bird” in Kuwait, March 2005. All forces flowing into and out of the area are required to stop in Kuwait when they arrive and when they depart.

Lava with John Van Zante, the Director of Public Relations at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California. John’s tireless efforts and transcontinental coordination ensured that Lava would one day enjoy a life in America. PHOTO BY KRIS PARLETT.

Lava with Kris Parlett, the community relations director for Iams pet foods. Kris worked very closely with John Van Zante to secure Lava’s release and introduced John to Vohne Liche Kennels, who were so critical to Lava’s journey to the United States. Iams graciously paid for Lava’s travel home. PHOTO BY JOHN VAN ZANTE.

Lava with Ken Licklider, the owner of Vohne Liche Kennels, and his family, immediately following Lava’s arrival at O’Hare Airport in Chicago. VLK raises and trains dogs for detection and protection work with the military and various law enforcement agencies. Lava flew to America with a shipment of the kennel’s dogs who were coming home for a much-deserved period of rest and relaxation. PHOTO BY KRIS PARLETT.

Lava and his new “stepsister,” Koda, at the park in La Jolla, California, where they first met in September 2005. Lava’s dad and Koda’s mom are now husband and wife.

You’d laugh, too, if you’d gone from near certain death to living the good life in La Jolla, California. Here Lava is pictured lapping up the sun’s rays. PHOTO BY CATHY JONES.