From Baghdad To America

April 28, 2008
Forget the Westminster Dog Show—these real canine champions are spearheading humanitarian missions.
From Baghdad to America: Life Lessons from a Dog Named Lava
Jay Kopelman
. Skyhorse
, $23.95 (208p) ISBN 978-1-60239-264-9

Former marine officer Kopelman's sequel to From Baghdad, with Love
—his bestselling account of a war mongrel named Lava—is a bittersweet and hopeful account of the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder. Kopelman's First Battalion, Third Marines, found Lava among the debris of war-torn Fallujah in November 2004 and adopted the mongrel despite a Department of Defense prohibition against pets. Recognizing Lava's therapeutic value—“the pure joy and escape he provided”—Kopelman not only ignored the regulations but also promised his marines that he would bring Lava home, which, against all odds, he did. Both man and dog had considerable difficulty in adjusting to life after war; Kopelman experienced “frequent anger and frustration”—especially toward civilians who seemed “so self-absorbed”—and Lava was so aggressively overprotective, he required antidepressant medication. Inspired by Lava's example—and worried about the effect of his behavior on his new family—the author finally sought therapy and encourages other troubled vets to get the treatment they need. Kopelman's nonjudgmental approach and his self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek humor make this survivor's account as engaging as it is powerful.

July 1, 2008
Its usually a good idea to avoid any book that has the words life lessons in its title (or subtitle), but, of course, there are exceptions. In From Baghdad, with Love (2006), Kopelman told the story of Lava, a stray puppy who was discovered in Fallujah by a marine unit and, against regulations, transported back to the States, where he was adopted by Kopelman after his return from Iraq. This follow-up chronicles Kopelman and Lavas postwar transition into civilian life, and its most touching element is the story of how the author was able to learn valuable things about himself through observing his dog. Kopelman recognized, for example, that Lavas increasingly aggressive, almost dangerously protective behavior was a clear sign of post-traumatic stressand that if Lava was suffering from PTSD, then perhaps Kopelman needed to stop denying his own psychological symptoms and seek some help. Its an inspiring story, one that will connect even with readers allergic to life lessons.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)