Saving Private Smoke

This is number five in what I hope will be on ongoing crusade to help us get back on track with knowing and appreciating our full potentials as the giving, honorable, loving human beings most are in reality.
Something most media's and political extremists would apparently love us to forget.


Donny Eslinger, a Private First Class, was wounded critically on 26 September 2011 when Insurgents attacked his Forward Operating Base with indirect fire weapons. Donny was standing only 4 feet from the impact of a 75mm Recoilless Rifle round. His injuries were immediately life threatening. His femur bone was shattered lacerating his leg, shrapnel to the shoulder, head and chest. There was a hole in his chest the size of a softball.

Eight of his fellow Soldiers immediately came to his aid, risking their own lives. With rounds continuing to land within 50 feet, Soldiers still worked on him without seeking cover for themselves. Two other Soldiers were wounded trying to and still aiding Donny. He was eventually moved to the Aid Station where the Doctor and Medics feverishly worked on him, which saved his life. Donny is now in Tampa, Florida where he is being treated for his Traumatic Brain Injury. He miraculously survived his injuries and has a long road to recovery.

On that mission Donny found a little puppy about 6 weeks old, him being the animal lover he is, he picked up the puppy and placed him in his assault pack, he quickly named Smoke. He traded three cigarettes to become the dog's owner. He named the dog Smoke Pup Barbarian because of the transaction.

When Eslinger was later flown to Germany and then the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for more treatment, Smoke was left behind.
Smoke was the only bit of moral that made these kids forget were they were and cope with the tragedy they’d just experienced. It is amazing how therapeutic a little creature can be. Donny took care of that dog up until he was injured. Many of the people in his Platoon would love nothing more than to see Smoke reunited with Donny.
Well a group called The Puppy Rescue Mission heard about Smoke Pup when Eslinger's squad leader sent a letter telling Eslinger's story. The dog was then transported to Bethesda on Tuesday, where he was reunited with Eslinger.

For a wounded soldier home from Afghanistan, it was a special reunion a long time in the making. The puppy he adopted on the front lines is now with him again in Bethesda, Md.
Through the efforts of The Puppy Rescue Mission, the dog arrived in Orlando, Fla., just recently.

The primary mission of The Puppy Rescue Mission is to fund-raise and assist in pet rescue, foster and re-homing when needed, in particular pets of soldiers, especially those deployed in war zones. They assist with requests, logistics, administration and fund-raising for the adopted stray dogs of war rescued by and bonded with soldiers. This may include vet care, supplies, transport and related issues. They work with or through other organizations that help our soldiers bring their companion animals home from war.

Another of many fine examples of human beings of compassion, even in the heat and hell on the front lines of war. People sent by us to protect our way of life, asking nothing in return other than hoping to come home in one piece to those they love, having accoumplished the mission given, with honor and pride.
So the next time you’re feeling like your problems are becoming insurmountable, think of what Donny Eslinger went through, probably still is today but in the middle of all that hell, he found a ray of light and hope with his little buddy Smoke.
I’m thinking in a funny way, Smoke was the lucky one to have found such a loving, caring friend to spend the rest of his life with.

Added note:

A dog or cat for that matter does not discriminate. They do not care who you are, what you look like or what you do. The only thing in life they ask for is a little food to keep in their belly, some cool refreshing water to drink, and a pat on the head or pet every now and then. I think we could learn a lesson or two from them. Someone with the most basic of needs that can give back the amount of love that they do - it's pretty damn impressive if you ask me.




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