Andrea Rosebrock 
UPDATE 10/23/08 – Ratchet’s a Hit in Minneapolis – VIDEO
A 6 month old stray puppy turned international celebrity placed his paws on US soil today! That’s right, Gwen Beberg’s puppy Ratchet is finally almost home!
Ratchet landed in Washington DC where he was greeted by reporters. Wearing a red, white and blue patriotic bandanna, he jumped out of his crate wagging his tail. He romped on the grass for a little while before he headed to a vet for a check-up, shots and microchip.
Vet, Dr. Chris Carskaddan, pronounced Ratchet extremely healthy as well as very cute.
Ratchet will sped two days at a kennel in DC then he’ll be off to his new home in Minneapolis. Gwen’s parents will take care of him until Gwen is home next month.
“I’m very excited that Ratchet will be waiting for me when I get home from Iraq! Words can’t describe it,” Beberg said in an e-mail to friends and family. “I hope that Ratchet’s story will inspire people to continue the efforts to bring more service members’ animals home from Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Iraqui Puppy Ratchet Hits the US
What a happy day and the real happy ending will be when Ratchet and Gwen are finally reunited!!
Oh this is GREAT news!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful ending to this story!!!!!!!! Welcome home Ratchet!!!!
I saw this story aired on the Denver news last night and they did mention the petition that everybody signed to get this dog home. I feel that this is proof that signing these petitions does really help worthy causes. I am so glad for a happy ending for a change.
I am sooo happy and thrilled with this! When will everyone learn that a dog is a being, too?
I have been following this story from the beginning and when I saw on my local news lastnight that he was finally on US soil I let out the biggest cheer! Finally, a happy ending for both Gwen and Ratchet! Welcome to the US Ratchet! Better yet, Welcome home little guy! We are glad to have you!
My favorite was the AP Photo showing Ratchet standing at the Baghdad airport in the twilight. Goodbye Baghdad, Hel-LO USA! *Ahhhhhhh….* Such a good feeling.
I have read just about everything out there about Ratchet and Gwen and feel like I know them and am a part of this whole thing. Reading yesterday and seeing the videos I couldn’t help but just smile from ear to ear, my heart light and happy. It’s so nice to be able to talk about happy endings.
thanks so much deanna and all the animal people who kept this issue in the public eye -
i thought about it every day and keept checking my emails for the good news….
now we work on the military policies that need to be changeed…
Oh i am crying tears of joy! My heartfelt “Thank you” to (((all))) who had a hand in getting him here to safty and an abundance of love.