Pueblo soldier reunited with dog he rescued while deployed in Eastern Europe

James Bartolo, Pueblo Chieftain
·2 min read
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Sgt. 1st Class Jared Bertagnolli met and rescued Racha, then a one-month old puppy, on a cold September 2023 night near an Eastern Europe military base.

Bertagnolli, a Pueblo resident, reunited with the friendly Transylvanian hound pup for the first time since his deployment with the U.S. Army on April 11 in Nesconset, New York. The joy-filled reunion was coordinated by Paws of War — an organization that safely transports cats and dogs rescued by U.S. troops to the United States.

Racha now lives with Bertagnolli, his wife Staci, their three children and their other dog, Baxter. The newest addition to the family is playful, intelligent and "loves everybody," Bertagnolli said.

Jared Bertagnolli, a U.S. Army soldier from Pueblo, with his rescued Transylvanian hound Racha
Jared Bertagnolli, a U.S. Army soldier from Pueblo, with his rescued Transylvanian hound Racha

"I really wasn't sure she would be able to get back because of all the restrictions from other countries and all the hiccups they had trying to get her on a plane that would accept her... Once I had got to see her, I knew that everything had gone through well," Bertagnolli told the Chieftain.

Racha was one of four dogs to be reunited with their rescuers at the Paws of War headquarters in New York on April 11. All four dogs were malnourished and struggling to survive prior to being rescued by three kind soldiers on different occasions.

Racha's glowing personality became apparent to Bertagnolli soon after the two met. She made quick friends overseas with other dogs, followed Bertagnolli to the shooting range and loved going on walks so much that she nipped at Bertagnolli's shoes once he started walking her back to the hotel at which they were staying.

Jared Bertagnolli of Pueblo reunites with Racha at the Paws of War headquarters on April 11, 2024. Paws of War obtained Racha from an overseas U.S. military base in Eastern Europe where Bertagnolli rescued her during his deployment with the U.S. Army.
Jared Bertagnolli of Pueblo reunites with Racha at the Paws of War headquarters on April 11, 2024. Paws of War obtained Racha from an overseas U.S. military base in Eastern Europe where Bertagnolli rescued her during his deployment with the U.S. Army.

Bertagnolli was accompanied by Racha overseas until January. He entrusted Paws of War with care and transport of Racha during the four months the two were apart.

"Everyone that works for (Paws of War) is legitimately an animal fanatic... they love animals — cats, dogs, everything," Bertagnoli said. "They want to get them out of those war-torn countries."

Paws of War has returned over 600 fuzzy companions to U.S. troops since 2014. There are over 60 Paws of War rescues of cats and dogs underway across the globe. Expenses, which are thousands of dollars per rescue, are paid by the organization.

A young Racha enjoys a nap in the sunlight.
A young Racha enjoys a nap in the sunlight.

"I think a lot of times when you are deploying away from family... you can get depressed, miss your family and your kids, but having that companion there I think helps keep some people sane," Bertagnolli said. "It gives you something to do, something productive, something to care about."

More information about Paws of War and its mission can be found at pawsofwar.org.

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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: How a Pueblo soldier reunited with a dog he rescued in Eastern Europe