We are all wounded warriors in some way or another.
To love means to put a person or an object above yourself, to sacrifice and to fight for that person or thing deemed worthy of your up most attention.
If you have ever loved, you have felt the joy and also the pain surrendering yourself; your wants, needs and desires to another. We are all wounded warriors.
However, the wounded warriors I refer to today are our men and women who serve our country and have come home with serious injuries; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. For the love of their country and the love of their fellow man, they knowingly accepted the risk of death and destruction to ensure we had the opportunity to make the most of our lives.
My husband has served in the military for 23 years and has put his life on the line more than a few times. He has always returned home and although he has suffered no physical harm, each deployment has changed him as a person. We are very fortunate.
As we draw a close to our years of service, we look back upon all the trial and triumphs of the years. We have grown and learned so much and are thankful for all the opportunities the Army has provided for us to push ourselves and become better people. It is a part of us and we want to remain a part of it.
As I type this I have a little English Bulldog in my lap that is barking. Our little Dunc. Dunc entered the world much like our recently adopted daughter, Chloe. Dunc has spina bifida. He was born while Chloe was in the hospital undergoing surgery for some complications due to her spina bifida. Dunc was also named after a beloved surgeon who was treating Chloe. We did not now of Dunc's spina bifida when we named him. He was a little smaller than the other puppies but we thought we was just going to be the "runt".
We watched over Dunc, hand fed him, and gave him more one on one time with his mom that the other puppies. Much the same as Chloe received from three special ladies, her Missouri Aunties, in the United States and from the wonderful directors and women at her orphanage in south east China. I know that Chloe would not have survived if it were not for this extra loving attention and prayers she received from those who cared for her.
Just like Chloe, as Dunc passed through the next few days we could see that he was different. He was special! Dunc and Chloe have a common thread. We are not turning our backs on Dunc. He has pulled through two times when an ordinary dog would not have made it. He is a fighter just like our little Chloe.
As I researched Chloe's special needs before we brought her home I was also preparing myself for the special needs her favorite dog would have. In order to honor her and her dog Dunc, we are going to do a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Program serving our injured service men and women. We are getting together a group of veterinarians who will be able to provide Dunc with the surgeries he needs to be a happy and healthy dog. We will be raising money to pay for his surgery and will give him to a service member in the Wounded Warrior Program.
Black Forest Bullies has worked with the Wounded Warrior Program before in welcoming service members at the Colorado Springs Airport to our lovely city where they received rehabilitative care at our Olympic Training Center. The smiles and tears of these men and women left an impression on us that we will never forget. An impression we don't want to ever forget either.
Please pray with us that we will be able to put the correct team together and will receive the funding we need to warm the heart and home of Dunc and a special service member.
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