Lava Among the Ruins

By: Richard Schlesinger
Topics: Field Notes

(CBS/John Filo)

On tonight's Evening News you'll meet Lava, a 2-year-old mutt who was rescued from Fallujah by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman of The United States Marines. He met Lava as a puppy while they were both in the middle of house-to-house fighting. Kopelman started a secret mission to rescue Lava that took 5 months but finally succeeded -- and he has written a book about it. (Kopelman, not Lava!)

Getting to know Lava (the rescued dog) takes a little determination if you meet him at his house. He is very territorial. There is no such thing as sneaking up on the Kopelman house in California. Lava barks loudly and does a not-very-convincing snarl when a stranger approaches. My producer and I had to go out a day early to meet Lava, so we wouldn't be complete strangers when we came to shoot the story. It was time well-spent. Lava did "greet us" the next day for about 10 minutes when we came back with the camera crew but, I swear, he knew when the red light came on. It's like this dog poses for the camera. When you see the pictures,you'll see what I mean. He prances up the street with his "Dad"…and it feels like he's smiling.

We found out though, that when you're on Lava's turf you need to be on your best behavior. My producer, Andy Wolff, and I are both ardent dog lovers. We were both competing to be Lava's new best friend. I thought I suffered a set back when Lava went to Andy first. I was rewarded, though, when he came and sat by me and let me rub his ears. I won the competition hands down, though when, when as were leaving, Lava took a little nip at the back of Andy's knee.

Not a bite…just a nip…but I know who Lava prefers!

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by besscannon-2009 October 7, 2006 4:31 PM EDT: To the person that would have been more impressed if it had been a person, I must say, that is a typical remark from someone apparently not an animal lover. When God was handing out virtues that was one he missed. Love and compassion for animals is one of the greatest God endowed us with and a story like this makes us feel good. It is a shame there are some that will never experience that gentler, kinder feeling. We are the safety net animals need.; Reply to this comment


by towgatee October 7, 2006 2:01 AM EDT: I would have been more impressed if it had been a person.; Reply to this comment


by lorrainegra October 6, 2006 6:40 PM EDT: The book is called "From Baghdad, With Love" it's available on Amazon.com; Reply to this comment


by jcorbin1958 October 6, 2006 11:16 AM EDT: What a touching story.; Reply to this comment


by baye13 October 6, 2006 1:24 AM EDT: Wonderful story. It is nice to see a heart warming story on the news for a change.

P.s. Happy Birthday Richard!; Reply to this comment


by julianne111 October 5, 2006 10:22 PM EDT: I would love to read his book ... what is the title? I didn't catch it on the news segment. Thanks.; Reply to this comment


by missfireplug October 5, 2006 10:19 PM EDT: Thank you so much for the wonderful story--but you left out 2 very important people: John Van Zante of the Helen Woodward Center and Kris Parlett of the Iams Company. These 2 men were responsible for connecting up Lava and The Vohne Liche Kennels. They were there to greet Lava when the plane landed in Chicago, and they reunited Jay with Lava in California. All of us at Iams are extremely proud of the role Kris played in bringing Lava to freedom in the United States.; Reply to this comment


by boston1954 October 5, 2006 8:16 PM EDT: Last night when Miss Katie said there would be a dog story tonight, I just KNEW it would be a Richard story. After all, she did call you our canine correspondent. :-)

Who better than a dog lover to tell us a wonderful rover report.

(off topic) Hope you had a great birthday!!

Anne L. Fulton
Attleboro, Massachusetts; Reply to this comment