Iowa National Guard’s Aaron Windschitl had only 48 hours to complete his assignment.
His mission? To get his beloved canine friend Oreo safely out of Afghanistan before she is killed.
Oreo, so named because of her black-and-white face, was one of the many strays in Afghanistan where dogs are often considered impure and faced a daily barrage of kickings and stonings by locals.
One day though, she snuck inside “the wire” to friendlier Americans for food and a little spot near the heater in Windschitl’s tent. And so was the beginning of their unbreakable bond.
“There is just something about her. You look at her and know what she went through to be alive, yet she makes you feel as if she understands how you feel,” Windschitl, who is a medic, said of the 1 year old hound mix.??Sadly though, it’s against military regulations to adopt or care for pets or wild animals, so Windschitl was ordered in February to take away the food bowl and bedding and not let Oreo inside.
That’s when Windschitl sprang into action and immediately wrote a letter to the Puppy Rescue Mission in New York:??”She is sad, but didn’t go away. She is still outside my tent. I have been told that it is just a matter of time before they will be ‘putting down’ the remaining dogs that are around here,” he wrote.
Thankfully in the end, Windschitl paid a shopkeeper $100 to take Oreo to Kabul, chipped in another 0 to Puppy Rescue Mission and gathered donations via Facebook for the dog to be transported to New York. Then he kicked in another $430 for the flight to Des Moines, where family members picked up Oreo.
She is now back in Iowa with Aaron’s mom, Joan, in Webster City. Iowa.
When Windschitl returns, Oreo will join him, his wife and their four other dogs.
In the end, Oreo made it easier for him in the midst of war. Getting her home was the least he could do for her, Windschitl said.
“I chose to save a dog. Maybe she saved me.”
God bless you, you are a wonderful person…..i feel so sorry for those animals over there.
YAY, you, Aaron!!!! What a heart of gold!!!! We ALL have souls!! You, especially!!!!!
Aaron, you are truly what I would call a hero!!! thank you for your service and saving this innocent dog!
Awesome story! Yay for Aaron and Oreo!
Be safe Aaron and come back home soon to your family, your dogs and Oreo.
God Bless you.
Thanks so much….I’ll pray for your safe return so you can be reunited with Man’s best friend, and your baby oreo….thanks for caring….My dog I found out has a tumor on his bladder he is such an angel & only 5 yrs old….he can’t have Chemo since his Kidney levels too high…though I’m feeding him organic food & hoping he will live a few more years….Please keep him in your prayers….GOD BLESS YOU!!thanks for helping our country…not all people realize what angels these dogs can be to humans….see my baby Noriega the red nose ….we keep you in our prayers
I’m praying for you Aaron…..
Mankind will only be saved by compassion and the willingness to do what is right, what is just, and what is good, despite the consequences. Bless you Aaron and praying for your safe return. What an inspiration you are.
You are a God send. Bless you for all you are doing for our country and bless you for having a heart for these poor animals.You are a hero for the u.s. and for Oreo. Thanks for everything you do. May God be with you and a safe trip back home.
I don’t know this man… but I LOVE him for who he is and all he’s gone through to save his furry friend. I hope they are reunited soon.
Is it the U.S. military who “puts the dogs down around here” ? Egads, in either case. Their policy is misguided and warped not to let soldiers have any contact.
I am so happy for little Miss Oreo! She found an AMAZING family!
Medic Aaron you are an exceptional human being!!!!!! I salute you! Many blessings to you and your family
now and forever!