The sight of stray dogs in the towns that straddle the U.S.-Mexico border is very common. However, a few strays in Nogales, Ariz., have creatively found homes and new owners by way of their “adoption” of National Guard EIT (Entry Identification Team) sites and the Soldiers and Airmen that are posted there.

Bonnie, Clyde, and Misha, all German shepherd mixes, found their separate ways to EIT locations on both the east and west sides of Nogales in the early days of Operation Jump Start. The rotational personnel who maintained the long and arduous vigil of manning an EIT post welcomed their presence at the respective sites. The troops looked after the dogs, offering food, water, and shelter in exchange for the companionship of “man’s best friend”.

As time went on and the trust between human and canine developed and grew, the dogs began to demonstrate numerous positive behaviors that reflected how much they had learned and adapted. Many a Guardsman can attest to the sensitivity of their four-legged companions who often alerted the site to approaching undocumented aliens and other visitors. This made for a precision if not rudimentary early-warning system especially during the hours of darkness.

“Team members suspected that Bonnie was pregnant when she appeared to have gained some weight and began to display some behavioral changes,” said Air Force Master Sgt. James Stephens, Team Falcon’s Bravo Flight sergeant of the guard.

Suspicions were confirmed when Bonnie came into the tent on May 28 and dropped a litter of six. The 2 male and 4 female pups all survived, thanks to Master Sgt. Stephens, a member of the 118th Air Wing in Nashville, Tenn., who has been on mission since January. He quickly became known as the “Dog Whisperer”.

“Fortunately, I had the mobility as the sergeant of the guard to take control of the situation and being able to take responsibility for the pups just happened to work out”, said Stephens.

An admitted dog-lover, Stephens made contact with Dr. Roberto J. Rojas of Companion Veterinary Clinic in Nogales and Deborah Porterfield of The Dog House in Green Valley, Ariz. Over the course of the ensuing two months, Stephens, along with his local contacts, arranged for care of the pups and their parents to include not only spaying/neutering but also adoption of all the dogs.

Although many of Team Falcon’s personnel are rotational, Stephens explained, “No one wanted to leave the [EIT] sites and abandon the dogs, who continue to be tremendous morale boosters The bond that was cemented between the members of Team Falcon and their dogs was so strong that many of the dogs were adopted by the same team members who cared for the animals when they were on site.”

Stephens, who comes off mission in August, described the experience as “an example of unconditional love and companionship of humans and their pets”.