Love cats but hate the Iraq war? Now I break your mind.

[WilliamPitt]

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040713_410.html

Tabby Gets Military Rank After Iraq Tour

Pvt. Hammer, a Tabby Cat Adopted by Troops in Iraq, Gets First-Class Trip Home to America

The Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. July 13, 2004 — Fort Carson Staff Sgt. Rick Bousfield of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team had a mission: Saving Pvt. Hammer.

Pfc. Hammer is an Iraqi tabby cat the unit adopted after he was born last fall at a base in Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad.

When Bousfield found out his unit was leaving Iraq in March, he decided he couldn't leave a member of his team behind.

"He has been through mortar attacks," said Bousfield, a 19-year Army veteran. "He'd jump and get scared liked the rest of us. He is kind of like one of our own."

(snip)

Hammer left Iraq with his unit in March, then flew from Kuwait to San Francisco in cargo-class. He traveled first class with an Alley Cat Allies volunteer to Denver.

Bousfield met the kitten at the airport.

...more...

The cat:

[commander bunnypants]

1. poor thing

It probably was a terracat. Glad he got out of there

DDQM

[MikeG]

2. Isn't that cat awfully big?

[WilliamPitt]

3. Huge

An Iraqi street cat? You'd be huge, too.

[GOPisEvil]

4. This smacks of Pvt. Charles Lamb!

I gave a discharge to a sheep. - Lt. Col. Henry Blake

[Tummler]

5. Just wait 'til Bush gets wind of this

"We got cats in the Army? Well, start slashing their veterinary benefits!"

[Lavender Brown]

8. LOL (nt)

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

13. Wait till Bill Frist hears about it...

He's start vivisecting veterans.

[Lavender Brown]

14. Don't give him any ideas!

[meti57b]

6. Alley Cat Allies is my favorite organization and ...

a principle recipient of my charitable giving, in addition to the local SPCAs. I truly love cats and dogs (and occasionally some people, but mostly cats.) I have to admit that my first thought was whether spending $2500 to fly one cat here from Iraq was the best use for the money, as there are so many many cats in need who can be taken care of for far less. However, this should be a great way to get out the word on Alley Cat Allies and all their good work. From this publicity, there will be more contributions from other cat people. It is a good thing. Hey Alley Cat Allies, ... you rock!!!

I would encourage everyone who loves cats to send a few $$$$$ to Alley Cat Allies and your local SPCAs!

[Bridget Burke]

7. Now bring the rest of the troops home.

He is a big one, all right. And I like the desert camo.

[Misunderestimator]

9. It's a TROJAN CAT!!! Beware!

[demnan]

10. Looks like a good climber

Hope he gets some trees to sit in.

[phillybri]

11. Is Bush proposing cutting the cat's food budget by 10% yet?

:evilgrin:

[HEyHEY]

12. u...

"He has been through mortar attacks," said Bousfield, a 19-year Army veteran. "He'd jump and get scared liked the rest of us. He is kind of like one of our own."

Yes, how rare - so many animals are known to remain calm during mortar attacks