When a group of oil rig workers from Canada working in Iraq noticed a young puppy starving and barely surviving, they banded together to rescue her.

They named the six-month-old Anatolian Shepherd "Lucy". The puppy was one of many stray dogs in the area scrounging for food, but the workers took the young dog under their care. Simon Orford, one of the oil rig workers, told CBC News he could tell the puppy was obviously sufffering and fed her scraps and water.

"A team of us had befriended her," he said."Her ears had been cut off by the locals, and she was just basically starving and really thirsty."

At one point, she was thrown into an oil drum and Simon and his friends fished her out and cleaned her up. Knowing she would be under constant threat, the team couldn't bear the thought of what might happen to her when they left. They decided to find her a home back in Canada.

First they tackled the bureaucratic challenges and arranged for her to be transported to Canada. Then they then turned to Facebook to see if they could find the puppy a permanent home.

That's how Heather Kaisler learned about Lucy. She read their plea and decided to help and adopt Lucy. She knew the dog must be something special for the men to have put in such an effort to save her.

When Lucy first arrived to her new home in Burnaby, British Columbia, she was timid with her alien surroundings. She was unfamiliar with grass and staircases, among other things. But Heather said Lucy is an easy-going dog and is adjusting well. "She's an amazing dog. She's so relaxed for a six-month-old puppy who's been through what she has," she said. "She's amazing."

Simon was reluctant to give Lucy up, but could not keep Lucy himself. He was put at ease when he got to meet Heather and was happy that he and his friends had found Lucy a safe and loving home. 

Via CBC

• Iraq
• Anatolian shepherd
• rescue