Sean Laidlaw, a British Army veteran, was hired as an independent bomb disposal expert in Syria. He was tasked to remove and disarm bombs and booby traps.
During one of his missions, Sean and his team heard a faint dog whimper from the rubbles inside the demolished school building. The puppy was the only survivor among the litter of seven.
Sean named the dog Barrie.
Sean and his team brought food to Barrie daily until they had won her trust. Later on, Barrie allowed the men to carry her and bring her to the base. Since then, Barrie became a part of the team. She would always go with the team during their missions until Sean’s last day in Syria.
Sean’s contract was canceled in April 2018, three weeks after Barrie was rescued. It was quite hard for him to leave the country without Barrie by his side. Barrie had brought so much joy to Sean and his team.
Sean sought the help of War Paws to help him bring Barrie back to the UK. War Paws was a UK-based organization that helps animals in war-torn countries to bring them to safety.
It was a challenge to bring Barrie out of Syria because of the military conflict, but War Paws was determined to rescue Barrie. The team flew Barrie from Syria to Iraq. From Iraq, Barrie went to Jordan where she stayed for three months for quarantine. When the quarantine period was over, Barrie flew to Paris, France where Sean picked her at the airport.
Sean and Barrie became inseparable since then.
Sean suffers from PTSD. He shares that Barrie keeps him sane during his time in Syria. Now that they’re together, Sean says that Barrie will help him in his recovery.
For Sean, Barrie saved him.
Fill the book with your stories and adventures, Sean and Barrie!
Photos courtesy of War Paws via Instagram
