British soldier brings home the stray puppy she saved from death in Afghanistan

By Daily Mail Reporter

Too cute to leave behind: Lola at the British camp in Afghanistan


'She was so tiny, thin and hungry and there was no sign of her mum so we brought her in,' Miss Snape told the News of the World.

'I think she saw me as a surrogate mum. Almost straight away, she made a bed on my clothes.'

Lola then became the camp's mascot and would meet the troops when they returned back from patrol.

When Miss Snape's six-month tour ended and she had to return home to Newcastle-under-Lyme, she realised she could not bear to leave her behind.

She feared the dog would be mutilated by Afghans and forced into dog fights so appealed for help.


Snuggled up: Lola in a sleeping bag at the army base


On a website on the Just Giving website, she placed a plea directly from Lola asking for donations - and the money flooded in.


Rescue: British army medic Sophia Snape


The message read: 'My name is Lola, I am 4 months old and I am an Afghan puppy.

When I was just a few weeks old I was taken away from my mother to be used as a fighting dog, I could hardly walk. My ears were going to be cut off as this is the culture in this country.

'However Sophie kindly took me away and looked after me. She gives me plenty of love, plays with me, feeds me and keeps me clean. Sophie is soon leaving Afghanistan and I will be left here to fend for myself.

'I cannot look after myself or get my own food. I may be used for fighting when she is gone. I would really like to come back to England to have a better life and live with Sophie. If you could be so kind and donate as little as a £1 I will be one step closer to a better life.'

British charity Nowzad, which helps stray dogs in Afghanistan, paid the £4,000 cost of the flight home.

Miss Snape has raised half the other £4,000 she needs to fund Lola's quarantine om Chester, where she has to stay for six months. She needs just £2,000 more.

On the website, another message 'from' the dog says: 'Sophie comes to visit me at least two or three times a week. I can't wait to go home with her.'

Miss Snape said: 'I can't wait until she is with me all the time. After everything we've been through, we've bonded for life.'

To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/Lola2010


source: dailymail