As I mentioned earlier, Lava was only a puppy when Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman found him. He surprised him and started messing around with him, biting his ankles and shoes. Kopelman brought the puppy back to camp, and introduced him to all the other soldiers. They loved having something to take care of and to entertain them. They all took turns feeding him, and playing with him. The soldiers gave him the name Lava after the Lava Rescue Dogs they had that were used to find bombs, people, and were used for their keener sense of smell and sight. However, since Lava was not licensed and a Rescue dog, he was a violation of General Order 1-A which prohibited pets on camps because it was a distraction and a health risk due to diseases he could carry. Stray and unlicensed dogs on camps were killed, and as the bond between Kopelman and Lava grew stronger, Kopelman would not let that happen.
Kopelman decided he was going to get Lava back to the United States, and began talking to his good friend who was a reporter in Baghdad at the time; Anne. When he was sent from Fallujah to Baghdad he had Lava stay with her. Kopelman began sending emails to everyone he could think of to help out with his situation with Lava, but everyone was turning him down due to the General Order. He was finally able to get paperwork for Lava although the source may not have been legit, it still looked that way. After finally getting someone to help him out, he is somewhat relieved, but now the transporting must begin.
Kopelman talks to Anne's assistant Sam on getting Lava from the Red Zone to the Green Zone in Baghdad. While this is going on he is corresponding with Ken Licklider, the owner of Vohne Liche Kennels who is a big contributor in helping Lava get to the states. In the mean time while Lava is being transported all over Iraq, Kopelman is stuck in the states at Camp Pendleton waiting to hear back on how things are going with Lava.
Things end up well, Lava made it through to the United States and Kopelman moved to La Jolla, California and Kopelman met and married his wife who had a son. They all live happily with many pets who get along great. Because of Lava Helen Woodward Animal center was able to start Home 4 the Holidays drive which helped transport many orphaned animals that year.
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