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I miss my hiking buddy.

Posted by Joseph Gilbert on April 26, 2013 at 10:30am

The short life of Kelby, Iraq War veteran, friend and best dog in the world

Kelby and author in Baghdad, 2003 in front of the company command post. I buried my best friend yesterday.

She was an Iraqi War veteran, explorer, protector and my best buddy.

I'm guessing Kelebi (her name means "my dog" in Arabic) was born in Baghdad, Iraq in May 2003. I found her during a reconnaissance mission in June (full story: http://exm.nr/OcEPTM). Our company motto was "Scavengers" because it was our mission to collect enemy equipment and technical data for U.S. intelligence analysts to study. Kelby was definately a Scavenger.

Considered to be filthy animals, there are no breeds of dogs in Iraq, so Kelby isn't a mix of anything. Her ancestors being feral for thousands of years, she's pure dog. She was the first dog "rescued" from Iraq. But, it is more accurate to say, I didn't rescue her. She rescued me.

read more:

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-passing-of-my-best-friend

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Comments

  • whit April 29, 2013 at 8:12am

     I know Kelebi will live in the hearts of many soldiers for years to come. Our condolences

  • Gene Szymanski April 27, 2013 at 4:36pm

    A FOND memory of an extremely LOYAL FRIEND

  • Mark W Boucher April 27, 2013 at 1:58pm

    WHAT A GREAT STORY THATS WHY GOD PUT DOG BACKWARDS THIER SUCH GOOD FRIENDS

  • ADMIN
    Admin Dee April 27, 2013 at 6:41am

    I believe Joe was picking up another Iraqi rescue dog a few weeks ago.

  • Adolfo O. Perez April 26, 2013 at 6:22pm

    MissBehaving was also one of the best behaving dogs I ever owned. But she was always definetly THE ALPHA BITCH.

  • Adolfo O. Perez April 26, 2013 at 6:20pm

    Memories of MissBehaving ,she got her name when being the first one born her tit ran out of milk first so she wiggled over and noked the biggest male off his tit and drank that one dry and then wiggled over and noked the next puppy in line off his tit and drank that too,got named and then she fell asleep

  • Adolfo O. Perez April 26, 2013 at 6:12pm

    Just lost   MissBehaving Alapaha Blue blood Bulldog ,I used to own the mother and the father so I delivered her and named her when she was about 15 minutes old,she was my crazy red headed bitch all white with a red brinble head, she went from 85 to about 55 lbs. was blind and was getting verry weak,especiall as I remember her biting me as I delivered her then at 3 weeks when Iplaced 2 bowls of dog food on the ground Missy ate from one plate everybody else ate from the other plate definetly the ALPHA BITCH.

  • Monica Couch April 26, 2013 at 6:08pm

    joseph,

    kelby will be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge (and you both will go hiking again)...

     

    rbowx.gif Rainbow Bridge rbowx.gif

    Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

    When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
    There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
    There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

    All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
    The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

    They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

    You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

    Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

    Author unknown...

  • Julie Assarpour April 26, 2013 at 3:07pm
    Such a heartbreaking story. I cried too. The incredible bond and love is felt from the dog as well. Look at this heartbroken dog:

    http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WKGLG7NX
  • Raymond April 26, 2013 at 2:28pm

    I cried along with you after reading your story my friend and Honorable Patriot for serving our country. Thank You! God has reasons for everything. I too am a Dog lover, I have 2 now that are my kids since my human ones left home. I wish you the best in the future and you will be blessed with Kelby in your heart and service.

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