(Maj. Brian Dennis & his team.)
(Update 9/25/09: You can read my recent interview with Maj. Dennis about Nubs here!)
You’ve probably already seen the story on the Iraqi dog Nubs who tracked a US soldier 70 miles to rejoin him. Before this story took off, I wrote Maj. Dennis to thank him for looking out for Nubs and on the off chance he might answer a few questions. Then the story got picked up by more media outlets and I figured there was no way he’d write back, when all these bigwigs would be wanting to hear from him. Well, Maj. Dennis very graciously wrote back and gave me a little more information on Nubs.
Some of the news stories made it sound like there was difficulty in getting the dog across the Jordanian border. Turns out there was a lot less mystery and mainly just bureaucracy. It really only took filling out the correct paperwork with the Jordanian Border Authority. I was curious about Nubs’ personality and how it had been affected by his harsh life. Maj. Dennis describes him as very friendly, but a little timid. I think it’s remarkable that Nubs could still be friendly without his fear taking over. Dennis and his team were able to do a bit more for Nubs than I would have expected given their situation. Lucky Nubs was fed steak, chicken, and pop-tarts. Doggie heaven! He slept in the field with them and when he followed them home, Nubs got to sleep in their barracks.
When Nubs gets to the States, he’ll be staying with friends until Dennis returns home. Not surprisingly, Maj. Dennis has another mixed-breed dog named Bogey so Nubs will have a new pal. I also want to point out that according to this comment from a friend of Maj. Dennis’ there is NO effort to raise funds to bring Nubs to the US. So, if anyone is asking for money, it is probably a scam.
I hope the day comes soon that Nubs, Bogey, and Maj. Dennis are all enjoying the sun and surf at the dog beach in San Diego. And eating pop-tarts!
(Update: Nubs is now in San Diego.)
I’ve checked with Major Dennis and he said it was okay to post his email address. You can write him at:
brian(dot)dennis(at)usmc(dot)mil
denbri18(at)yahoo(dot)com
He also said Nubs is doing great in San Diego. Yea!
Hello,
I am currently working on trying to bring two puppies home from the desert and the cost is going to run around 3,000-4,000 dollars. There is money involved its just about who you can get to help. Or like I plan to do fundraisers and donations. So I disagree with your comment that if anyone asks for money its probally a scam.
Lynn
Lynn,
I believe that the statement ‘So, if anyone is asking for money, it is probably a scam’, is refering ONLY to the request for money as it relates to Nub. There is no effort on Major Dennis’s part to raise money in order to bring Nub to the US, so any requests running around the internet, mass emails or elsewhere asking for money in Nubs name is probably a scam. Good luck to you with your rescue mission.
Donna
How can we contact Brian and Nubs, to say great job and send Nubs some “We’re Glad You’re In America” dog treats!? Such a touching story…
This is one of the greatest stories I have ever heard, and a true testament to the bond between dog and man. In my mind, Nubs knew that Major Brian had saved him, and knew they needed to be together forever. I cried when I read it, and bet my dog would find me no matter where. Best of luck to Brian and his buddy, and thank God for dogs!!
How can we email Maj. Dennis to say kudos, he makes the world a better place? Please reply to an_pccmed@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Becca
I’ll email him and see if it’s okay to post his email address.
I also cried when I read about Nubs story. I just lost my 14 year old rotty to cancer. I know my dog would have gone 70 miles too. My dog was spoiled rotten and I wish that all pets would be so lucky. Thank you Major Dennis, I hope for a quick return for all of you!
Thanks
Dog Lover
I’ve checked with Major Dennis and he said it was okay to post his email address. You can write him at:
brian [dot] dennis [at] aa [dot] mnf-wiraq [dot] usmc [dot] milcurrent email:
brian(dot)dennis(at)usmc(dot)mil
denbri18(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hello Lynn, Donna is correct in saying that anyone raising money for NUBS is a scam. There is no effort to raise more money for NUBS at this point. I am sure there are other folks trying to get animals home such as yourself that are doing fundraisers. I do wish you the best of luck in your endeavor!!
Hello, I’m in The Mass Air Guard on Active Duty currently, does anyone have a valid email for Maj. Dennis as the one I’m using is not working. Thanks,
Don
I can be reached at donbteed@aol.com
It is so nice to know that this world has people like Maj. Dennis. If there were more people like him this world would be a better place. This story has touched my heart in a way that I can describe. I hope that Nubs is doing well and lives a very happy life here in The U.S.
Omg when I read this TEARS TEARS TEARS were streaming down my face….LOVE THIS STORY AND Maj Dennis for loving Nubs. I read the above comments but didnt catch Maj Dennis email address. I too would love to send Nubs a WELCOME HOME care package on behalf of my 2 doggies Cleo (former pound doggy) & Leia. This is such a beautiful story especially after I just read about the Youtube video on the marine throwin the puppy off that cliff
I could not bare myself to watch it.
This is my favorite story of the year! Thousands of miles away from home, with much more stressful things on his mind, this Major cares that a dog is following him and wants him home and safe! It’s great to know our soldiers are looking out for us, and animals as well! Thanks so much for all they do!
Major Brian Dennis….THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY. I cannot tell you how much you and your family mean to me as an American. My brother served in the Vietnam War in the Coast Guar..he volunteer to go there…and I love him very much. He came back to us, thank GOD.
I love animals and I’m sure there’s hundred’s more out there…but I want you to know how much what you’ve done for NUBS is so wonderful and how he must love you so very much. How our pets and animals love us to the end. I hope that you can will have your other fellow soldiers follow in your footsteps as far as saving the animslas is concerned
Dearest Major Brian Dennis,
We are so proud of you and so grateful to you for serving our country. We are in tears over the story about Nubs. It is heartwarming and I am so glad he is safe in San Diego now. May God bless you , your Family, Bogey and Nubs.
I am honored to have known you through this wonderful rescue story.
God Bless all the Kitties and Pups and creatures of this world and save them from cruelty.
Warmly,
Linda Webb
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE $ 50.00 FOR NUB’S FOOD
MY ADRESS IS : (removed address) LA JOLLA CA 92039
GOD BLESS THE MARINES……. LOVE SALWA
Just want to let you know Maj. Dennis is not accepting donations. He has stated he feels Nubs is his responsibility and he will provide for him.
Sarah, I was so touched by wonderful, heartfelt story of a dog and his companion…I just have to make a bracelet for Maj. Dennis. Please go to my website http://www.petluvbracelets.com and check them out. This bracelet will represent the bond he has with Nubs.. I could engrave something special like NUBS, WALKING 75 MILES FOR LOVE or just NUBS (men prefer simple, with no hearts) ….NUBS, HOME FOR GOOD, NUBS, COMING HOME. NUBS, MY BUDDY NUBS – LOVE FOUND IN IRAQ
NUBS, FINDING A WAY TO THE HEART 2008 The bracelet would be .925 sterling silver, men’s wide, with pawprints on the ends of bracelet..they are absolutely beautiful..you can see them also on ASPCA, shop on-line…there is a good picture of a men’s wide.
Ellen Kindstedt, PetLuvBracelets.
Or can you get this message to Maj. Dennis and ask what he would like? I would prefer engraving his choice of words, Thanks
Please email me back at my email address.
HELLO Brian Dennis.by the way my name is SALAH SALEA I am From Iraq-Baghdad but I live in beautiful San Diego-CA and also Iam an Actor my first Movie it was the (THREE KINGS)my Role it was opening Scene I was the Iraqi Soldier with the map any way and my other job Iam Training the Marines the and one of my Student I was teaching him the Arabic Language and the culture before he deploy to Iraq and how to win this war by Heart and mind and all I want to say major Brain he was is my wonderful friend welcome back home body and Forget as body.thanks allot
SALAH SALEA
IRAQIACTOR@YAHOO.COM
I read this fantastic story in the paper and sent it to my mom. She was so moved that she did some checking around and found out, supposedly, that Major Dennis is stationed at Miramar Naval Air Station. So she wrote him a nice long letter of support and enclosed a $50 check “to buy your dog some treats”. Sadly, the letter was returned “undeliverable as addressed.” I would love to be able to forward this to him, if anyone can tell me his mailing address (I live not too far from Miramar NAS, BTW).
Also, it would mean so much to my mom to be able to talk to him and or visit…is that too out of the question? She’s 89 and feeling down about some health issues; she has been passionate about the War Dogs story and wants to support our vets & dogs.
I heard he’s single, I’ll date him in a flash!!!! Anyone that rescues and loves animals like him,….Is my HERO!
Hello, it’s Brian here. I’m back in Iraq and Nubs is home doing well. I never saw this blog last year and just found it surfing the web.
Cheers,
Maj Brian Dennis
I want to let Brian know how much my fourth grade students and I enjoyed the story of Nubs, and what a strong, positive impact Brian and Nubs have had on all of us. Thank you, Brian, for serving our country and showing so much unconditional love and compassion towards Nubs. You have set an unforgettably meaningful example of how we need to treat God’s creatures. God bless you and Nubs, and best wishes always!
i dont tear up at ALLL but what a beautiful person he is and his lil buddy
also like to thank all of the wonderful people for the kind hearted comments god bless you all
I just learned about Maj. Dennis and Nubs from the Tonight Show that was televised last night. Nubs looks very much like my Canaan dogs, a breed native to Israel and the Middle East. The Canaan dogs are used by the Bedouins as herding and alarm dogs, and by the Israelis as war dogs and everything we used German Shepherds for in the U. S. (guide dogs, police dogs, etc.). The Bedouins have been known to cut the ears on dogs that they want to use as a herding dog so that they aren’t as distracted by the sounds in the area and so the dogs will focus on herding work. If you do some research on this breed you will see some pictures of Canaan dogs with their ears cropped off while working livestock. While I don’t agree with this practice, it might shed some light on why his ears were cut.
If you are interested in finding out more about these dogs, which I honestly consider to be some of the smartest dogs ever especially in the area of reading people and other animals, please contact me. It may shed some light on how and why Nubs had done some of things he has done.
I would like to email Major Dennis in regards to his book. I am sure he is flooded with letters, but I would consider it an honor if I could tell him in an email how exceptional I think he is. Could you please ask him if it would be alright to email him?
Our schoo principal would llike to contact Maj. Brian Dennis. She has read the book to our classroom students. She is thnking it would be nice to have Nubs come visit our school with Maj. Brian. Anyone know of a contact # for him? Our school is located in Los Angeles, CA. My contact is gumndropss@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Lisa
Hi everyone, Maj. Dennis’ current email addresses are near the bottom of the post above.
Ooops…it’s gumdropss@hotmail.com RE: the email above for a contact email/#.
Major Dennis,
Merry Christmas! I will pray for your safe return to your family and Nubs. Thank you for your service dedication and service to our country. Godspeed to you and all our heroes and God Bless the USA!
I want to help. Please tell me how.
I am writing on behalf of teh San Francisco SPCA. I am the Co chair of the BArk & Whine Ball to CLAW to raise money for homeless animals that need critical medical care in the shelter.
We would like to use Nubs as one of our Animal Heroes > we would like to have a good photo of Nubs that we can blow up into a 15′ x 20′ banners as a tribute to our pets.
Is there a way i could reach someone that could help us obtain such a photo??
Thanks
Susan Christman
Co Chair Bark & Whine
This is nathan from Mrs.harpers class the one who sends stuf to soldiers! I live in tennessee knoxville. the little nubs has been on a little journey! 70 miles! I read the book nubs!