At a Glance
- A kitten named Peamer was abandoned near a U.S. Army base in the Middle East after a wild animal attacked her litter.
- Soldiers bottle-fed her around the clock and reached out to Paws of War for help.
- After medical care and a 16-hour journey, Peamer flew to the U.S. and was adopted by grieving Vietnam veteran Anthony Bracchi.
- Why it matters: The bond highlights how pets can aid both active-duty troops and veterans coping with loss.
Peamer the kitten began life in peril on the outskirts of a U.S. Army base in the Middle East. She and five siblings were born to a stray mother cat, but within days a wild animal raided the makeshift den. The attack scattered the family; the mother escaped with four kittens, leaving Peamer and one sibling behind.
Soldiers who had been quietly watching the cat family discovered the two newborns. Knowing the infants would die without intervention, the troops set up a rotating bottle-feeding schedule. The kittens were too young for solid food, so every few hours a different uniformed caregiver stepped in.
Despite the vigilance, Peamer’s lone sibling weakened and died. Peamer, however, gained strength, her eyes opening to the dusty base and the gentle hands that preserved her life. As she grew playful, the soldiers worried about her future; local predators and harsh weather posed constant threats. They contacted Paws of War, a nonprofit that helps service members and veterans care for animals they befriend during deployment.
A 16-Hour Road Trip to Safety
Paws of War accepted the case and dispatched a team to the remote site. The drive to the nearest capable veterinary clinic stretched 16 hours across desert and mountain roads. Once there, Peamer entered weeks of treatment funded entirely by the organization. Vets monitored her weight, administered vaccines, and stabilized her fragile immune system.
When she finally reached a healthy weight, the next challenge arose: international travel. Paws of War coordinated flights and permits so the kitten could reach the United States. The soldiers’ sole request was that she land in a secure, loving home.
A Veteran Searching for Comfort
That wish aligned with the needs of Anthony Bracchi, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. Earlier this year Bracchi lost both his wife and his longtime pet cat. His house, once lively, felt oppressively silent. He began looking for a new companion to ease the ache.
Paws of War arranged a meet-and-greet. From the moment Bracchi held Peamer, the pair connected. The kitten purred against his fatigues; the veteran smiled for the first time in months. He adopted her on the spot.
“After losing my wife and my cat, the house was unbearably quiet,” Bracchi said. “Peamer didn’t just come into my life – she brought it back. I truly believe we found each other exactly when we were supposed to.”
Peamer now roams Bracchi’s home, batting at toy mice and napping on the same couch his wife once favored. Bracchi credits her with restoring routine and purpose to his days.
Mission Accomplished
For Paws of War, the operation embodies their dual mandate: serve active military members by getting their animal companions to safety, and serve veterans by supplying emotional-support pets. Co-founder Robert Misseri called the match perfect.
“This story captures the heart of our mission,” Misseri said. “They both needed each other. There couldn’t be a better match than this, and we love that we were able to help play a role in making it happen.”
Key Takeaways
- A kitten abandoned after a wildlife attack was rescued by U.S. troops overseas.
- Paws of War funded medical care and a trans-Atlantic journey for the cat now named Peamer.
- Vietnam veteran Anthony Bracchi, grieving recent losses, adopted Peamer upon her arrival in the U.S.
- The bond illustrates how companion animals support both deployed soldiers and veterans adjusting to life at home.
