Rescuer’s Open Letter to Soldier Who Had to Give Up His Dog

When an Australian soldier was told he would soon be deployed to Iraq, he had to make one tough decision, to surrender his dog named Prinny. The 12-year-old dog found a new loving home, but the rescue organization that helped the pet had no way to contact the soldier and let him know his pet was okay. The organization wrote an open letter hoping to reach the soldier, and thanks to it, Prinny’s previews owner learned of the dog’s newfound fortune.

The senior dog originally belonged to the soldier’s mother, but when the veteran’s mom passed away, the pet moved in with the veteran. The heart broken soldier surrendered the pet to the RSPCA before flying out to serve his country, and weeks later Prinny got a second chance to live in a loving home.

Photo Credit: Rescued-With-Love/Facebook

The open letter read as follows:

Dear Soldier, you don’t know me, but I know of you. I know you were heading to Darwin and then being deployed to Iraq. You are probably going through more than what anyone can ever imagine – and I wanted to ease your mind by letting you know your Mum’s dog Prinny is safe and happy with us at Rescued With Love.

I know your Mum passed away and I am so sorry for your loss. Losing parents is hell, and to have to give up Prinny and surrender her to the RSPCA because you had no option would have been an unbearable burden.

I read your surrender form which came with her paperwork, and my heart broke for you, for Prinny and for your Mum. You wrote such beautiful things about Prinny, and what a gorgeous girl she is. You were right, she certainly is.

We know Prinny is 12 years and 4 months – and it is not easy to re-home a dog that age, I guess you know that, and thought you would give her a chance anyway. The RSPCA did their best, and she was with them for ages – and then a phone call from a kind lady found Prinny on her way to us – and I want to tell you about her new home. If it’s ok, I want to tell you a little about that.

Prinny was adopted before she even came to us, because her foster Dad Brendan is a Veteran.

He heard about Prinny’s predicament – and wanted to step up regardless. I asked he and his wife to just wait and foster her – but it seems I didn’t need to be cautious at all. Prinny has fallen in love with her Dad, and he with her, and they are now inseparable, and very very loved.

I don’t know where you are, or how to find you to tell you Prinny is safe. Maybe this will find you. All I know is my throat ached when I read your writing on that form when you handed her over – and I could not try to let you know she is safe, and very happy. Stay safe soldier.

Kind regards, Kae Norman, Founder, Rescued With Love Inc.

The letter was picked up by the Herald Sun Online and that is how the soldier, who would like to remain anonymous, learned Prinny had been adopted and is doing very well.

Rescued With Love Inc. got in touch with the soldier and they are now planning to reunite him with his former dog when he is on leave. He will get the chance to see for himself how much Prinny is loved and cared for in her new home.