Growing up, Peter Neesley took in stray dogs he found around his home in Michigan.

As an Army sergeant in Baghdad, Neesley continued looking out for dogs -- feeding wandering mutts, building a doghouse for puppies, and taking in two of his own: Mama, a black Labrador mix, and Boris, her white-and-brown spotted puppy.

He emailed photos of them home, keeping his family in Michigan up to date on the dogs, which he told them he planned to bring back to the U.S. when his tour of duty ended.

On Christmas, Neesley's parents received word that he died in his sleep in Baghdad, and not long after that they began their quest to honor Neesley's wishes and bring his dogs home.

"To have something that they can hold and touch and care for that Peter cared about, that's the whole thing," explained Julie Dean, his aunt.

Mama and Boris arrived Friday afternoon at the Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., home of Neesley's mother, capping a four-week transfer facilitated by family members, media outlets, elected leaders and Best Friends Animal Society, the Utah sanctuary recently in the news for taking in 22 of Michael Vick's fighting dogs.

In the AP photo above, Neesley's sister, Carey Neesley, meets Mama. To read the full and moving account by Associated Press reporter Ken Thomas, click here.