Adopted Dog Spreads Cheer at Gulf Base

[thedrifter]

Apr 23, 6:18 PM EDT

Adopted Dog Spreads Cheer at Gulf Base

By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS
Associated Press Writer

IN THE GULF REGION (AP) -- He's a most atypical Marine - he chows down the prepackaged rations with gusto and gets a promotion whenever he bites an officer.

He's Dragon, the 4-month-old mutt adopted by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 when they found him sniffing through garbage at their base near Iraq, whose exact location they won't allow to be made public.

Dragon - named in honor of the squadron's nickname of Red Dragons - is a cheerful reminder of quieter times. He's full of goofy antics like bounding down the airstrip with a wrench in his teeth.

The Marines aren't sure what will happen to Dragon when it's time to go home. They hope to take him along but need funding for the vaccines and quarantine period.

For now, though, "he's good to have around," said Cpl. Christopher Oakeson, 22, of San Antonio, Texas, giving the part-German Shepherd a playful pat as the puppy attacked a chew toy.

With a war going on, it's nice to be able to just play with a dog sometimes."

As soon as the Marines' relatives heard about the puppy, they started sending him food, toys and other treats and now "he gets more boxes than any of us," said Sgt. Neuman Burrell, 35, from Kentwood, La.

Sporting a red collar with engraved ID tag, Dragon turns his nose up at dry dog food but devours the packaged Meal Ready to Eat. The peanut butter and Thai chicken servings are his favorites.

He also enjoys baths with Herbal Essence shampoo, said Cpl. Amanda Hoenes, 21, of Branson, Mo.

Occasionally, he shows behavior that earns him the nickname "devil dog" - which Marines call themselves. Dragon barks at rival squadrons and sometimes bites. When he chomps an officer, the Marines give him a promotion.

After two bites, the dog is - unofficially, of course - a lance corporal.

Sempers,

Roger