The Big Dogs, Big Hearts adoption event was held August 13 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to honor two state natives missing in Ukraine since June.
Fighting alongside the Ukrainian army, Alex Drueke and Andy Huynh were captured by Russian forces after their unit came under heavy fire in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine near the Russian border. The men were initially listed as missing when they failed to muster to a predetermined spot. Later, the U.S. State Department declared Drueke and Huynh to be prisoners of war held in an unspecified location.
Drueke, who served in the U.S. Army and Huyuh, a retired marine, traveled to Ukraine separately, but later became friends due to their shared love of dogs and Alabama, the men’s relatives said.
Drueke had adopted Diesel, a 100-pound Mastiff mix, from the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter (TMAS). Lois “Bunny” Drueke, Alex’s mother, has been caring for Diesel since her son self-deployed to Ukraine last April. She told AL.com that her son asks about Diesel each time he’s allowed to call from captivity. Lois informed Alex of the adoption event when he last called on July 28.
“I could hear excitement in his voice,” Lois said. “It made me incredibly happy to give him something to feel good about.”
Lois added that Alex chose to foster then adopt Diesel because larger dogs are harder to place. “This time of year, animal shelters are overcrowded, so we knew this would be the best time to hold the event,” she said.
The Drueke family sponsored the event in partnership with TMAS. Hosted by Forest Lake United Methodist Church, the event featured music, a kids-run lemonade stand, door prizes and an air-conditioned bus to share cool times with new four-legged friends. Potential adopters could take prospective adoptees for a walk. Adoption fees for up to 10 dogs weighing 50 pounds or more were waived for the event. The Drueke family and friends covered the cost of all adoptions. Per the TMAS Facebook page, three dogs were adopted moments after gates opened.
Swag bags accompanied every adopted dog and included Ukrainian-themed dog bandanas, coupons for local veterinary services, gift cards, potty bags and treats. Attendees had the chance to scribe sentiments and sign posters in honor of Drueke and Huyuh.
“We’ll present them to our guys when we welcome them home,” Lois told tuscaloosanews.com, “so they can see how much people were thinking about them and praying for them.”
Dianna Shaw, Drueke’s aunt, said that the Big Dogs, Big Hearts name carried a double meaning: “Alex and Andy went to Ukraine because they have big hearts for the Ukrainian people who are giving their all to preserve their democracy.”