Captain Omri - Paratroopers Staff Sergeant in the reserves, 29 years old, from Tel Aviv | The Lila
At the beginning of the war, Capt. Omri and his partner Kim took Lila, the sweet dog, to be her foster home. The next day, his company was assigned to a mission in Gaza, and since then Kim and Lila have been home alone for 18 days. "Every night I thought about them and was happy that at least they were hosting each other for company while I wasn't there," Omri says. "It helped me to be calm while fighting on the front." Omri has already returned from the front, and since Kim and Lila have bonded, they are even considering adopting her to join their family permanently.
Captain Omri and her dog Laila, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Lieutenant Amit - Battalion Liaison Officer of the 605th Engineer Battalion, 21 years old, from Bat Yam | The dog is a man
Many weeks since October 7, except for a brief refreshment at home, Lieutenant Amit has not seen a man, his 5-year-old pit bull dog. "A man is just like a family member who walks on all fours," says Amit. "He's with my sister, but I come especially to visit him whenever I can." Contrary to what people think of pit bulls, a man is described as sociable, loyal and full of love. "The short encounter with a man gives me more motivation to continue the mission, to defend our country, home, family and friends," Amit adds.
Lieutenant Amit and the dog is a man, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Major Lidor - Company Commander in the 7490th Battalion of the Golan Brigade, 30 years old, from Harish | The parrot Lola and the dog Leia
Major Lidor serves as a company commander in the 7490th Battalion during the fighting, but in his civilian life he owns a house plant shop in Harish. Since Lindor was called to the flag of war, Leia - his Golden Retriever dog - was handed over to his sister and his parrot, Lola, a Gala cockatoo type, is in his business for the time being. "Lola has been with me for three and a half years, at the moment she is alone at home for a very long and difficult time, I thought about how we could treat her in the process, so I transferred her to my business which is located in Harish. I come to visit there whenever possible and give her as much attention as possible," says Lidor. "During the long period of reserve duty, I tried to give them a good envelope so they wouldn't feel lonely. In the end, we are not just here, we understand the mission and the meaning. These short encounters with our home, family and animals really fill us with a lot of goodness and a huge motivation to keep going."
Major Lidor and the parrot Lola, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Major Hod - Nahal Brigade Company Commander, 26 years old, from Tel Aviv | The dog Sima
For 70 days, Maj. Hod did not meet Sima, the three-and-a-half-year-old dog. The company commander of the Nahal Brigade arrived for a 24-hour refresher and surprised her. "Our first encounter was exciting, Sima is a girl in every respect," says Hod. "One of the things I'm waiting for after the residents of the envelope return to their homes and the abductees return home is to take Sima out for long walks around the city."
Major Hod and her dog Sima, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Major Ben - a soldier in the Southern Command's Defense Company, 33 years old, from Tel Aviv | The cat Alma
Ben hadn't seen Alma, the 5-year-old cat he found when she was a puppy, for several weeks. When he came home to refresh himself from the fighting, she ran to him and the two snuggled together." My company and I went out to defend the house and left our loves behind," he smiles, "and I'm happy to return to Alma, even if it's only for a short time."
Major Ben and the cat Alma, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
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