Author: Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and Melinda Roth

ISBN-13:  978-59228-980-6

The following review was contributed by: Shelley Bueché,  Click Here to Read More of Shelley's Reviews 

Lt. Col Jay Kopelman was a 45-year old marine deployed to Iraq to train the Iraqi Special Forces.  The last thing he expected was to become emotionally involved with a rambunctious Iraqi pup, but that is exactly what happened.

The pup was a mangy flea-bitten mongrel that won his way into the hearts of the American marines stationed in the northwest sector of Fallujah.

            So when this unexpected thing, this puppy, comes barreling toward me in this unexpected place, I reach for my gun.

Lava was named for the Lava Dogs, the marines who were stationed at the Iraqi compound.  He was “the newest grunt, de-flea’d with kerosene, de-wormed with chewing tobacco, and pumped full of MRE’s (meals ready to eat).”

Of course Kopelman knew that having a dog was against military orders, he reminded himself of that fact numerous times each day. But what ensued was what he had not planned; complete devotion to a rambunctious pup who slept in his boots and peed whenever he was in site of Kopelman.  A bond that was not to be broken.  Upon witnessing the Iraqi mongrels gnawing away on dead human flesh in the streets of Iraq, Kopelman decided then and there that he would get Lava out of the country on his way to becoming an American canine.

Kopelman left the country before Lava was able to leave.  With the assistance of National Public Radio reporters, ABC cameramen, Iraqi citizens and Iams pet Food Company, Lava was finally able to leave for American soil, but not without huge expenditures of time and energy all bestowed on Lava.  In a land where everything was stressful and dangerous, Lava was able to bring a smile to everyone’s face as well as a sense of calm, if only for a moment or two.

Lava is now safely ensconced at home with Jay Kopelman, his wife and stepson, in La Jolla, California.  Instead of spending his days roaming the streets of Baghdad, Lava now “lives two blocks from the ocean.  He is a huge fan of Iams dog food but has been known to beg for small pieces of steak, chicken and salmon, especially when Jay (Kopelman) is cooking on the barbecue.”

Kopelman teamed up with Melinda Roth, author of “The Man Who Talks to Dogs,” in penning this book.  From Baghdad With Love, is a terrific story bringing the smells, sights and sounds of the war straight to the armchair of readers--you will laugh, smile, cry and want to keep turning the page to about Lava’s exploits in harm’s way and his journey to safety.