Saving Cinnamon

October 12, 2009
When Navy Reservist Mark Feffer reports for duty in Afghanistan, he finds an unexpected visitor on base: a stray mixed-breed puppy named Cinnamon. The mutt quickly becomes a base mascot, and morale booster, for the whole unit. At the end of his tour, Feffer is resolved to take Cinnamon home with him to America; unfortunately, he trusts her with a professional dog handler, who abandons Cinnamon at an airport. With Cinnamon missing, Feffer and his family-including the author, his sister-began an international search for the missing canine. The heartwarming story of a soldier and his dog, Sullivan's narrative isn't polished and occasionally meanders, but draws readers in with her depiction of Cinnamon, whose perseverance and good nature are palpable on each page. Animal lovers may get their hearts broken several times over the course of the story, and will be tempted to get involved with Operation Baghdad Pups, an organization that helps veterans adopt the dogs that gave them comfort overseas.