Nubs, The Iraqi Dog, Is Home

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(Update 9/25/09: You can read tmy recent interview with Maj. Dennis about Nubs here!)

Nubs landed in San Diego on Friday ready to start a new life. He sure seems to be an unflappable dog, happily wagging his tail even with all the people and cameras.

Nubs is the dog who walked 70 miles to reunite with the marine who had befriended him. You can read more about Nubs and Maj. Brian Dennis from my email with him.

Maj. Dennis did a great job looking after Nubs in Iraq and this lucky dog is already receiving excellent care here in the US. During his stop-over in Chicago, Nubs was seen by an American-Egyptian veterinarian so that the Jordanian vet’s report could be translated accurately. He’s clearly being very well taken care of.

Nubs will be joining Maj. Brian Dennis’ other dog Bogey (Dennis spelled it “Bogey” in the email we exchanged) whom he adopted from a shelter in 2000. We hope Maj. Dennis is able to come home soon too.

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!

50 Replies to “Nubs, The Iraqi Dog, Is Home”

  1. Yaaaaaah! How wonderful. What a difference between this marvelous man and that idiot, Vick.
    Thank you for letting us know that Nubs is safe.
    Julie

  2. Such a great story. I live in San Diego and have worked with some of the guys and their dogs that are over in Iraq with the Marines. Dogs are very cool, and this story is soooo incredibly heartwarming!

    Thanks everyone who donated to getting this dog here and I’m so glad Nubs lives in San Diego!

  3. My name is Kelly and I’m the girl in the picture hugging Nubs. I just want to say thank you so much to the wonderful people who take the time to care about stories such as this. I was involved in bringing Nubs home and its amazing how many caring people we have in America and throughtout the world. Nubs has changed lives. Through this experience I have formed some special bonds with special people. I realized how short life is and quit my job and have decided I want to save many Nubs in this world.I’m changing careers and will start a nonprofit of my own. Nubs is the one doing the rescuing I think. God Bless you all. Especially Major Brian Dennis.

  4. Kelly, you are terrific! I wish I had the guts to make such a career move, maybe at some point I will. For now, best of luck to you, hugs to Nubs, and thanks to Brian Dennis!

  5. I have been reading about what you did and wanted to say I admire you. I hope you and nubs have a long life together.

    Thank you for risking your life not only for this entire country but for a furry friend as well.

  6. Today i ran across this story looking for other information unrelated to canines or US Marines. Its kind of weird that this site even came up with the search words i used on google. However.. I did find it, & I just wanted to let you know Kelly & the others involved in bringing Nubs to CA., Its very seldom anymore a true life story brings me to a tear (Or two), but this one done just that. Its been a while, but my wife & I have rescued several canines during our 21 years of Marriage. It takes a special man to do what Mj Dennis did, & I wish there were more like him. Dog Bless everyone that had a hand in bringing Nubs to the us US.

  7. Maj Dennis-Thank you so much for this wonderful story about the journey you and Nubs shared! I am ecstatic he is home and getting love, shelter and food. It’s people like you that renew my faith. God Bless you and Nubs!

  8. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR U FOR A LONG TIME NOW..I WAS JUMPPING WITH JOY WHEN I HERD UR STORY AND HOW YOUR
    ANGEL (NUB) FOUND U ….. PEOPLE LIKE U SHOULD BE THE
    IDOL OF EVERYBODY NOT ONLY IRAQIS..I AM AN IRAQI – AMERICAN
    WHO LOVES DOGS ..(ANIMALS)..AND THINK THAT WE TAKE THEM FROM
    THEIR MOTHERS..FATHERS.BROTHERS….WE COULD AT LEAST GIVE THEM
    LOVE…….THIS DOG DESERVE YOU ..UR HIS TROPHY…..AND MINE
    SINCE I HAVE SAVED MANY MANY STREET DOGS IN SAN DIEGO AND
    PLACED THEM WITH LOVING HOMES SOME WITH MY FREINDS……..
    ANY WAY I WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE $50.00 FOR NUBS FOOD
    SO PLEASE CALL ME OR GIVE ME AN ADDRESS WHERE TO SEND IT I’M
    NOT HTAT GREAT WITH COMPUERS….?????? GOD BLESS YOU AND
    ALL THE MARINES…………………………LOVE SUE
    SALWA HILANTO
    (removed phone numbers)

  9. 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.

  10. Just saw Nubs on the TODAY SHOW! What an incredible story! Love you Nubs and all who brought you “HOME!”

  11. We are proud to announce the launch of Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc., a newly formed and IRS approved 501(c)3 charitable organization.

    Canine Assisted Therapy (C.A.T.) is dedicated to providing soul healing therapy, through the use of dogs, for the benefit of both adults and children who need comfort, companionship, and the most basic feeling of unconditional love that only a dog can provide.

    C.A.T. recruits quality volunteers and their dogs, who willingly dedicate themselves to improve the lives of those in need. C.A.T. provides certification of Therapy Dog Teams and places these teams into nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care centers, and schools where their services are needed.

    I saw your story on the Today show this morning and I was touched once again by the power and bond of dogs to humans. I would love for Nubs to be an honorary Canine Assisted Therapy Advocate.

    Please contact me and I will get all the information needed.

    thank you
    Joanne & Therapy Dog Chance

  12. My husband is an ex marine- actually not, they never stop being marines, even at 64. I love the marines and have so much respect for what you all do for us. Thankyou for your sacrifices. And now you’ve rescued one blessed pup. This is such an emotional and uplifting story, I’m still crying. Thankyou Maj. Dennis for being a true genuine role model for our country. We desperately need more like you. We also need more stories like this to make headlines. The kinds that aren’t all about money and power and greed. Just a good old American soldier doing his job and going above and beyond. You are one huge example of the America I grew up to love.

  13. I saw this clip on the Today Show, WOW, Major Dennis, you are a one of a kind. Your story is heartfelt. I am so glad to call you an American. Keep doing what you do, you make this world a better place! Give Nubs a big hug and kiss for me too! For in this great big world, you are both lucky to find each other.
    God Bless.

  14. Welcome to the USA Nubs! My lord what a story, it has to be one of the very best stories to come out of Iraq – it makes me so freaking happy! The sad side about such things is that there’s many other animals in war zones that aren’t as lucky as Nubs. All of us need to do much more for our animal friends – please think about adopting one of these deserving creatures yourself – I did and it’s a wonderful experience.

    Respectfully,
    Steven Hall
    Cotati, CA

  15. I just read the story about Major Brian Dennis and Nubs on People Magazine. I am speechless! This is such an amazing story! I will be in San Diego wish I could see Nubs to give him a big hug! Remember to pet your dogs, brush them, talk to them, and walk them : )! It’s true that “A dog is an adopted four legged child”. God bless everyone who helped bringing Nubs home where he belongs. Major Dennis, you are awesome! I am going to get the book about Nubs and Major Dennis for all my friends and family this Christmas!

  16. This story was so touching. I watched the Conan Obrian and was grabbing a tissue. I am so glad nubs is home in San Diego and adjusting so well. I have cats and dogs but this does show the old adage of a dog being man’s best friend.
    thanks for sharing!!!
    I posted it on my facebook page befitting Veteran’s Day!
    God bless
    Selina Kyle

  17. I just happened on Conan O’Brien’s show the other night and watched the story of Nubs and Maj Dennis. It was such a wonderful heart wrenching story and one that evoked many happy memories of my dog that I had rescued. While on a peacekeeping mission to Golan Heights in Isreal in 1996 a young dog showed up on our camp. I befriended the little girl and she became my constant companion on camp. When my tour was coming to an end, I couldn’t bear to leave her behind so arrangements were made to fly her back to Canada. The Soldiers on camp took up a collection to pay for the civilian flight home. Molson Canadian as she was affectionately called by the soldier’s on camp, went through the dept of agriculture for a checkup and doggy passport and then flew out of Tel-Aviv for her new life in Canada. Molson passed away this May from a heart condition and as hard as it was to loose her, I knew that I havd given her a wonderful life of 12 years that she never would have known had she stayed as a stray wandering the border betwen Israel and Syria. She thanked me everyday of her life for saving her and I don’t regret it for a moment. May God Bless Nubs and Maj Dennis and may he have as many wonderful years with him as I had with Molson. Thank you so very much for caring and making a huge difference in Nub’s life!

    Kathy Greer-Hulme

  18. Read this story in People Magazine. You are such a wonderful man. Not only for serving our country as u do, but also by understanding the needs of lives that cant take care of themselves. I am soon going to retire and hope that I can make a difference just as u did. Would love to take in all the abused, neglected animals of this harsh world. You are such an inspiration and truely do revive my faith in the goodness of people. Wish there were more like you, World wouldld be a much better place. Thank you and God Bless You

  19. KELLY!! Let me know if I can help. Donation, when u start ur non profit organization. You go girl!!! Good luck to you. Laura

  20. my friend calls me nub nubs lol, thats really cool that the dog has a better home now any way

  21. Where can you buy costume glass lampwork links of london from just $22.99, silver charm rings for $16.99, sterling silver and faux gemstones for under $20, and dazzling 925 sterling silver cocktail rings in solid for under $25?One good place to shop online for the cheapest men’s and women’s 925 silver rings is links of london bangles . Why? Because they have about 1000 silver rings for kids

  22. Looks like a sweet puppy!

    Poor fella, what a horrid way to start out in life!

    At least now he knows the whole world doesn’t suck as bad as that smelt-it-all-to-glass-deserving-country!

    What a lucky pooch to find a cool American with such a big heart!

  23. I bought this book a year ago..my children want me to read this book to them all the time and every time I cry…My family befriended a dog we named “Whales”..he was abused by his owner so we took him in..Whales loved to be free. So we didn’t see him for a while..finding out his owner got him and they moved away..Whales traveled some 100 miles back to us..we didn’t know how he did it…bloody paws and all..He spent the remainder of his life with us..I love good stories!! 🙂 Thanks!!

  24. Very good post. Made me realize I was totally wrong about this issue. I figure that one learns something new everyday. Mrs Right learned her lesson! Nice, informative website by the way.

  25. Well said. I never thought I would agree with this opinion, but I’m starting to view things from a different view. I have to research more on this as it seems very interesting. One thing I don’t understand though is how everything is related together.

  26. I am a librarian in Nixa, MO and we just finished the NUBS story. It is one of our Show-Me Nominees in Missouri this year. My kids want to send cards to Nubs. Do you have any information for Major Brian Dennis?

    Thanks, Sara

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