Animal rescue group moves soldiers’ best friend to U.S.

Post-escape from Baghdad, Charlie the border collie mix seemed to be smiling for the crowd Thursday at Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

Five months after the SPCA International received a plea from American soldiers, the 9-month-old mutt became the first beneficiary of the organization’s effort to rescue pets from the war zones where they provide solace to service members. Charlie eventually will live in Phoenix with one of his caretaker soldiers.

Military rules barred the soldiers from keeping pets. But when troops came upon a flea-infested, starving puppy while on patrol, they couldn’t resist sharing their affection and their ready-to-eat meals.

One soldier e-mailed animal rescue groups, and Operation Baghdad Pups was born.

Program manager Terri Crisp interviewed the adopting soldier when he was on leave.

“He was a soldier and tough, and toward the end, I said, ‘Why are we bringing Charlie home?’ And he said, ‘Because I made a promise’ ” not to abandon him, Crisp said Thursday, her voice choked with tears.

Eleven other dogs and two cats from Iraq or Afghanistan are in the pipeline for rescue.