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In this episode we speak with Shiri Homler, from the touching new Instagram initiative Bark Them Home. Shiri shares how shaken up she was by the events of October 7, 2023 in Israel and how – though she lives in Connecticut – she wanted to do something to help Israel. Ultimately, Shiri joined Barry and Cindy, who both live in Canada, in creating Bark Them Home.

Bark Them Home uses Instagram to make people aware of and educate them about Oketz, the canine unit of the IDF. Shiri shares the moving history of the Oketz Unit and the indispensable role the soldiers and dogs in this elite canine unit play in recovery and security efforts. Shiri talks about, among other things, Oketz’s urgent needs for supplies, as well as the dignified and moving ways that fallen dogs from the Oketz Unit are honored, underscoring the critical contributions of these canine heroes and their handlers.

We also talk about Bark Them Home’s sharing about hostages who have dogs, exploring themes of grief, healing, and the unbreakable bonds between humans and their dogs. Shiri emphasizes the importance of balancing heart-wrenching stories with moments of joy, highlighting the cathartic power of these narratives.

Shiri concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to follow Bark Them Home on Instagram and to share their posts, and to support the Oketz Unit by donating to help procure new dogs and essential supplies.

You can follow Bark Them Home on Instagram at @barkthemhome

You can read about the Oketz Unit at https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/our-corps-units-brigades/oketz-unit/oketz-unit/

I hope you enjoy listening to the Mazel Pups podcast as much as I enjoy making it. If you have an idea for a future episode or want to be in touch, email me at mazelpups@gmail.com.

If you want more of Mazel Pups, you can:
* Follow on Instagram @mazelpups
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And you can now pre-order (at a discount) the PAWSITIVELY JEWISH 2025 CALENDAR, which features super cute dogs dressed up for & celebrating Jewish holidays, as well as including Jewish & Israeli holidays, dog holidays & national US & Canadian holidays. (PrintArtKids.com/Calendars)

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Thanks for listening!
Rabbi Robyn