Winstons Appeal
An Ardrishaig woman is working tirelessly to ensure an orphaned puppy from Baghdad is flown to safety in the UK.
An Ardrishaig woman is working tirelessly to ensure an orphaned puppy from Baghdad is flown to safety in the UK.
19 October 2009 – BFBS
15 October 2009 – The Forester
“Three dogs – Sandbag, Dirtbag and Royal – and a cat called Hesco have been brought back to the UK after befriending British soldiers in Iraq.
FTV catches up with Louise Hastie at Precious Pets kennels in Newnham where the dogs are currently in quarantine.”
09 October 2009 – This Gloucestershire
“Rescue worker Louise Hastie dropped in on the Forest of Dean yesterday to see British mascot Sandbag in his new home.
The Labrador cross was clearly delighted to see the woman who saved him from a life on the streets of Basra.
And after seeing Sandbag and his puppy Dirtbag in quarantine at Precious Pets kennels in Blaize Bailey, she said it made her dangerous rescue mission worthwhile.”
09 October 2009 – South Wales Argus
” A month ago, these animals were living as strays in an Iraqi warzone, in danger of being killed by allied troops or insurgents.
But after staff at a Monmouthshire horse hospital helped raise £13,000, they are now in the UK and preparing for a new life in Gwent.
The three street dogs – Dirtbag, Sandbag and Royal – and Hesco the cat were adopted by British army and navy units at the Umm Qasr base, Basra.”
08 October 2009 – Abergavenny Chronicle
“CATS and dogs who were looked after by soldiers and had to be abandoned in Basra have been flown thousand of miles from the war torn country to be re-homed thanks to a Monmouthshire animal charity.
The whole operation has been co-ordinated by SWHP field officer, Emma Simpson who first heard of the plight of the animals through Facebook. She has worked tirelessly and has been in constant contact with Louise at Baghdad Cat Rescue.
The Blue cross have been collecting money for the cause and generous members of public raised more than £14,000.”
08 October 2009 – This Gloucestershire
“IT’S a dog’s life for a Labrador called Sandbag who was rescued from Iraq to enjoy a new life in the Dean.
Sandbag became the mascot for a group of British troops who found him wandering the streets of Basra.
When the troops pulled out of the city in July, it looked as if Sandbag was facing an uncertain future in a dangerous city – but civilian contractor and ex-soldier Louise Hastie sprung into action to save him.”
07 October 2009 – Monmouthshire Beacon
“Three dogs and a cat who were befriended by British troops serving in war torn Basra have been rescued and brought back to a safe haven in the UK, thanks to the combined efforts of Emma Simpson, a volunteer Field Officer with the St Maughans’ based Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies, Louise Hastie of Baghdad Cat Rescue and the Blue Cross.
Even President Obama became caught up in the rescue!”
30 September 2009 – This Gloucestershire
“A STRAY dog who became a mascot for British soldiers in Iraq will begin its new life in the UK in the Forest of Dean.
Sandbag, who was found wandering the streets of Basra, was due to arrive at Heathrow this morning.
The soldiers were forced to return home without the dog in July and feared he would not last long once they had left – although he was rumoured to have already survived being shot five times.”
30 September 2009 – Daily Mail
“A stray dog who became a mascot for British soldiers in Iraq is being flown to safety in the UK.
A charity appeal to save Sandbag and his friends raised more than £13,500 in the last two months alone after troops raised their concerns on Facebook, pet charity The Blue Cross said.
The soldiers were forced to return home without the dog in July and feared he would not last long once they had left – although he was rumoured to have already survived being shot five times.”
