The Turkish people adore Golden retriever puppies. Having one as a pet is fashionable and a status symbol. However, adult retrievers tend to be abandoned. They roam the streets hungry and alone, lacking the viciousness necessary to survive on their own.

The Turkish people adore Golden retriever puppies. Having one as a pet is fashionable and a status symbol. However, adult retrievers tend to be abandoned. They roam the streets hungry and alone, lacking the viciousness necessary to survive on their own. Some people in Turkey and the U.S. saw the tragedy of this and intervened. There are now programs to migrate these dogs out of Turkey to the United States in order to give them a better 

life. 

All of this takes will, time, effort and money and there are noble souls who are willing to help. Many of them spending their own money as fundraising is difficult. Nevertheless, the dogs are properly vaccinated, inspected, and of course they carry their own travel documents. Yes, each dog has its very own passport. They have no trouble adjusting to the United States because of the hard-working volunteers, and the steady demand of U.S. citizens seeking the pleasure and comfort of a living companion. No trouble at all except learning to obey commands in English, the language of their new masters. 

Things were a little different for the Assali refugee family from Syria. Back in January of this year two of the Assali brothers, along with their wives and children, arrived in Philadelphia after a nearly 15-year visa application process. They came here legally, after spending a huge amount of money and doing everything through the proper channels. But their timing was bad; they were turned away at the airport because of President Trump’s first travel ban. 

By February the Assali family finally managed to get in. They had to fly halfway around the world and re-enter the United States through JFK airport in New York to do it, but they managed. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf paid for their airfare personally. And that’s what it took to get a human family of six safely into the United States, away from the hell of Syria’s civil war. The golden retrievers got in on their first try.