USA Today features a story today about Jay Kopelman, a newly retired Marine who rescued a mangy puppy from Iraq. Kopelman found the puppy in Fallujah while patrolling with his outfit, the Lava Dogs. Orders were issued to put down strays that could give away the outfit’s position, but this puppy got lucky. Eventually, Kopelman and friends made it a mission to get the puppy, Lava, out of Iraq.
Now back home in La Jolla, Kopelman even attributes his new marriage to Lava. Seems Lava nipped a little boy and that led to Kopelman meeting the boy’s mother. She is now his wife. Kopelman’s new book, “From Baghdad With Love,” tells the saga.