Remember the story we told you in October about the solidier and the dog she wanted to rescue from Iraq? It officially has a happy ending.

Army Sergeant Gwen Beberg returned to her Spring Lake Park, Minn., home after completing a tour of duty. Among the first to greet her was Ratchet, the mutt she befriended after finding him near a pile of burning trash.

"Hey, baby," Beberg said after receiving a sloppy kiss from the dog at a homecoming attended by family, friends and supporters. "Oh, you got so big. Oh, you got so big. Yeah, who's home? Who's home, huh?"

The reunion almost never took place. Beberg was rebuffed in her efforts to rescue the black and white pup when an offer cited regulations that prevent soldiers from keeping pets - just as a convoy was taking Ratchet to an airport so he could be flown to the U.S.

With the help of Operation Baghdad Pups, an organization that assists soldiers hoping to rescue dogs and cats from Iraq, and almost 70,000 signatures collected from online petitions, Ratchet made it to his new home. He has been cared for by Beberg's parents, Ted and Pat Beberg.

Beberg hopes to train Ratchet as a therapy dog. But most of all, she's happy to be home. So is Ratchet.

"He loves Minnesota," she said. "He thinks it's one giant field of treats."

Anonymous
January 20, 2009, 7:17 pm
I love happy endings - especially when it involves a poor helpless pup. Thanks for letting us know the outcome.
Anonymous
January 20, 2009, 9:47 pm
This is a great story to read on Inauguration Day -- it makes me believe anything is possible. Congratulations to Ratchet and his hero mom, Sgt. Beberg.
Cutbacksurf_small
January 20, 2009, 9:56 pm
California
Thanks, News Hound, for following up on this story. I am so happy to hear these two friends finally reunited. This is why I click on this blog at least once a day, because I always find great topics and stories and you follow up on them -- I don't have to wonder "what happened next?" I hoped that this soldier had made it home and what it was like for her to see Ratchet again. It's so cool that Ratchet remembers her! It sounds like both are adjusting well. If Ratchet becomes a therapy dog, please let us know!
Anonymous
January 21, 2009, 9:45 am
What a heartwarming story! Operation Baghdad Pups certainly has its heart in the right place, they are doing wonderful things for wonderful people (and pups!)
Anonymous
January 21, 2009, 10:54 am
Lovely to see how Gwen cared for Ratchet and made sure he got back. They look So happy together!
Anonymous
January 21, 2009, 11:23 am
I know there are a lot of poor strays in war zones, but this pup and soldier had a real bond. Ratchet helped Gwen and Gwen returned the favor. This is a great story!
Cutbacksurf_small
January 21, 2009, 11:38 am
California
If animal lovers gave a few dollars each to Operation Baghdad Pups, they could have more stories like this. I checked out their site. What a great organization. https://www.baghdadpups.com/donation/contribute.php?source=DONATE
Anonymous
January 21, 2009, 4:19 pm
Hi there: I think this is a great story to see people connect with pets and know their life is that much richer. abbylane http://www.heavenpeturns.com
Anonymous
January 21, 2009, 9:27 pm
Thanks for giving us the happy ending. Wish every pup had a good, loving home to go to. Wonderful story. Keep writing about these great stories with happy endings.

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