Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dan Meyer, from Mankato, Minn. pets Dingo at Camp As...... read more read more
By Dustin Senger
Area Support Group Qatar
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – "I want to adopt a bull dog or German sheppard when I get home this fall," said U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dan Meyer, from Mankato, Minn., after meeting Army Maj. Bascom Bradshaw and wife Tracy, from Forth Worth, Texas, at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Aug. 2, 2008.
The couple donated several copies of their recently published children's book to support the United Service Organization's United through Reading program at the Qatar installation. "Where do Dingoes come from?" is a story loosely based on the life of their adopted dog.
"Dingo," a 65-pound labrador-chow mix, is golden in color and thick in stature. Tracy rescued him a day before he was scheduled to be euthanized in Galveston, Texas. Without a home, Dingo (then Oliver) was nearly two years old when she adopted him. The military couple published a children's book based on Dingo's story in June, while deployed together in the Middle East. They hope their world-traveling companion will become an icon for pet care and adoption.
"In September 2005, I started the original sketches of Dingo while working shifts at a U.S. military hospital in Iraq," said Bradshaw, an Army medical officer. "After clearing critically ill patients, I often had a couple hours of downtime. Drawing was a good diversion during long shifts." The Army officer was an avid artist in his youth. "After I got back home, Tracy and I came up with the idea to start the children's book together."
"Our focus has never been on profits but rather raising money to donate to shelters," said Bradshaw. Aside from the book, the couple sells coffee mugs and t-shirts branded with Dingo's image. "At least 30 percent of our proceeds go to shelters we have worked with, or those interested in supporting our project. But we routinely donate much more." Their book and merchandise is available online.
The book was originally scheduled to be published in December 2007, but that date became impossible with concurrent military commitments. Four months prior, Bradshaw deployed to Southwest Asia to assume duties as the Area Support Group Qatar medical services director. Soon after, his wife gained employment as an ASG-QA Moral Welfare and Recreation specialist. To finish the book by June 2008, they recruited the artistic talents of Stephanie Olivieri, who helped them complete the book's colorful illustrations.
"Tracy's passion for animals dates back to her teen years in Eudora, Kan. She often volunteered at shelters and fostered cats until they found homes. When we moved to Texas, she started volunteering at the Galveston Island Humane Society. That's where she met Dingo."
"I had washed Dingo in preparation for a Mardi Gras parade," said Tracy. "He always gave me slow kisses when I bathed him. I love every animal but some have an uncanny way of connecting with people." She eventually escorted Dingo to the festival herself, after the couple who signed up to walk him failed to show.
Only a week before moving to Florida, Tracy heard Dingo was scheduled to be "put down" in Galveston.
"I promised Tracy a dog once we moved to Pensacola – she knew that was a green light to bring Dingo into our home." The next week, Bradshaw and his wife drove to Florida with their new companion. "He isn't incredibly intelligent – to this day, he still doesn't know his name – but he grows on you." The couple intends to publish more books based on the canine's lovable mannerisms and worldwide travels. Since his adoption, Dingo has visited Belgium, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria and most recently, Qatar.
If you ask Tracy, Dingo isn't enjoying his time in Qatar," said Bradshaw about their off-post residence in the Gulf State. "He is a little restricted in what he can and cannot do. When we lived in Germany, he got first-class treatment. Immediately after arriving here, we got a memo asking us not to walk him around the compound. Luckily, he has a nice yard to run around in."
"Tracy put her physical therapy career on hold with all our moves," he said. "But she has become a bit of a celebrity in Qatar. The Ministry of Agriculture is interested in controlling the nation's stray cat population. Tracy has trapped over 40 cats since we've been here. All were spayed or neutered and then released – many found homes. She certainly shows that there is opportunity to pursue outside interests and hobbies while supporting a military career overseas."
"Dingo has brought us much joy," said Bradshaw. "He has been afforded an opportunity to live a long adventurous life, as well as leave a legacy in pet care and adoption."
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2008 10:17 |
| Story ID: | 22071 |
| Location: | CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA |
| Web Views: | 420 |
| Downloads: | 318 |
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