Saving Aslan

Earlier this week we got the call that Aslan was on his way. We knew that the trip was going to take several days and it was going to be a rough journey but tonight all of the worrying and fretting and finger crossing is over:
ASLAN IS HOME!!!



He is such a sweet boy--very mellow and docile and so VERY happy to see M! Once we signed for him and got him out of the crate he was even happier!



M says he's lost a little weight but other than that he's just about perfect. Hunter and I are in love with him already.




Thank you all for making this happen. You guys--YOU SAVED HIM. I couldn't be more grateful. Thank you so much for caring and praying and contributing to his rescue. This would not have been possible without you.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to update you with the latest news. M made it home from deployment and we couldn't be happier to have him back. It has been a very long 11 months and we are all very relieved that he's home!


And in other wonderful news we just got news from the person who manages shipping for Aslan and if all goes well he could be headed for the USA next week!! Hooray!!

I'll update as soon as I know he's on the way. Thank you for your continued support and for all of your prayers for their safe travels.
Love you, Sara

Hi all. This page has been quiet for the past few days as we wait (somewhat patiently) for news on Aslan.
I do know that he will be moved to a transit facility and then fly out to the US but I'm not sure about a time frame. Of course I will keep you posted as soon as I have more information. Keep on keeping those fingers crossed!
xo,
Sara

Now that Aslan's flight funding is secure we have begun setting up his flight(s). I will post updates as I have them but I'm not sure how quickly the process will move along. My hope is that he'll be here (US) in the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed (and toes, etc...) for a safe journey to freedom.

Thank you all for all you've done and continue to do.
Love you,
Sara



Yay!

You guys!!! WE DID IT!!! and SO FAST!!

My head is spinning and I cannot even begin to say thank you enough. Today I was telling one of my closest friends, who also knows from experience what it is like to have a husband away at war, just how this whole process has made me feel loved and supported beyond anything I ever imagined. I told her that the next time I have one of those days where I'm feeling sorry for myself or feeling like I am alone I am going to stop and take a deep breath and think of this moment right now...there is so much LOVE out there. Thank you for this gift.

Even though we've reached our goal I will be keeping the chipin open and updating you on Aslan and his progress towards getting home. Any money that is collected that is not needed for his transport/care will be used for other animals that ASAL is caring for so please, if you'd still like to contribute to his fund it is greatly appreciated and needed.

Love you all, and again, THANK YOU!
Sara

Hi everyone. Just wanted to update you on Aslan's progress. We are so very thankful for all of the donations and all you have done to spread the word. I never imagined how quickly we would be able to raise this much money and since we're so close to Aslan's goal we can go ahead and start the process of getting his flights lined up! This comes as a huge relief to me for all of the reasons you can imagine but also because I got some sad news from our coordinator this morning in regards to some of the other dogs at the shelter. It seems that many pups have taken ill with flu and several have passed away. The cold temperatures in Kabul and the size of the little dogs makes them highly susceptible. Sadly, Rufus, who is pictured with Aslan below, is sick. He's being medicated and kept warm and being monitored but please say a prayer that he pulls through. Aslan, being bigger and older, is doing well but I am even more anxious to get him out of the shelter.

Thank you again for all that you have done...there is absolutely no way that this would be happening without your support.
Gratefully,
Sara

What an amazing day.
I can't quite believe that that meter over there has moved so far so fast! Thank you ALL so much.

This afternoon, after I'd emailed a link to the page and a progress report to my husband, I got a quick reply from him that simply said, "Oh my goodness, I would never have imagined. I can't say thank you enough. What a wonderful way to end this deployment." Amen to that.

I am so grateful to every single one of you--thank you for your emails and calls and gifts of support. I have been so emotional all day and don't want to admit just how many times I've teared up over all the love we've been shown.

A few people have asked about Aslan and wanted to make sure he was safe. The answer is yes, he's at a shelter this very minute. He's being looked after and cared for and kept safe until there is enough money for his transportation costs. Obviously, the sooner the better when it comes to getting the funding but please don't fret--he's safe.



This is Aslan at the shelter along with another little pup name Rufus who is also waiting to be rescued.

Again, THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart--Thank you.

As many of you know, in March 2011 my husband deployed to one of the most dangerous areas in all fo Afghanistan. In the nearly 11 months since he left our home, he and his teammates have lived, fought, and worked alongside Afghan nationals, helping bring stability to the worst area of the country. It has not been easy, for them or for their loved ones, but it is what they do and could not be more proud of all that they have accomplished. This past fall, quite unexpectedly, one of my husband's local Afghan friends, who fights alongside him as a brother, brought a furry little puppy to the camp as a gift of gratitude an gave the pup to my husband. According to other locals in the area, a dog of this type is more valuable than a car to the people there because the pups are trained to fight for money. This in itself is a true testament to the bond between my husband and his warrior friend and it also shows just how lucky that pup was to be given away and not kept and raised to be a fighting dog. After seeing the pup's photo, our 7 year old son named him "Aslan" after the heroic lion in C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

Once at camp, Aslan bonded to my husband immediately. The scrawny little Afghan pup, whose ears and tail had been cut off before his arrival, now had a chance at a life that did not include hunger or beatings or fighting. For all the love and attention that he was given, Aslan returned that to my husband. This eager little puppy closely followed him around camp and when he faced one direction Aslan would lean into his leg and face the other, watching his back just like one of the Team.

As anyone with a loved one in the military knows, homecomings are what you look forward to and think about every day your service member is gone. Every single day of the deployment you think about them coming home. As that day finally draws near for our family to get our sailor back my husband can't bear the thought of leaving his furry teammate behind to a life of uncertainty and danger. The Afghan Stray Animal League has graciously agreed to coordinate Aslan's transport to America and care for him until that time. However, I must raise the funds to cover shipping Aslan from Afghanistan to the United States. Because of his size it will be very expensive to ship him and I cannot do it alone. I am humbly asking for your help in bringing my best friend's doggie home to us in America.

Aslan has been a source of comfort in a place where there was none other to be found. Around camp he has been a catalyst for laughter and amusement for the guys as puppies tend to be. Above all, and most importantly to me, he has been a loyal companion and friend to my husband. Last week Aslan was moved to a rescue facility in Kabul where he awaits transport to the US. Please help me get him home.

This chipin page directs your donation directly to the Afghan Stray Animal League and designates it for Aslan's rescue. As soon as we have covered shipping costs for him they will get him on a flight!

Any money donated that exceeds the cost of Aslan's needs will be used by ASAL to help with other rescues. Please know that every donation is significant. Every single dollar helps.

The Afghan Stray Animal League is a private non-profit organization and all donations to them are tax-deductible. Please visit their website for more information about their mission. The are amazing.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. I will keep you posted on our progress, please check back for updates.

Much love,

Sara Berry

sararuthberry@gmail.com