before we go any further a little congratulations in order to our very own jill rappaport. jill received a genesis award over the weekend for her work with animals. in particular her bow to wow series on the show and other series she's done. these are considered to be the oscars of the animal world. so forever jill will be known as genesis award winner jill rappaport. >> bravo! >> we're very, very proud of you. >> all right, natalie's standing by at the news desk with a check of the news. >> good morning, matt, ann and willie. the wife of an american soldier charged with killing 17 afghan civilians is speaking out for the first time. in an exclusive interview with "today," kari bales told matt that her husband, staff sergeant robert bales, is brave and courageous. >> seems to me like, i -- i just don't think he was involved. >> you think this is all mistaken identity? do you think this is -- is he being made a fall guy? for someone else? >> i don't know. >> 17 people were killed. >> right. i don't know enough information. i -- this is not him. it's not him. >> have you -- ho

jill rappaport is here to tell us about it. hi, jill. >> great to see you. spring is here. it's the perfect time to open your heart and home and adopt an animal. this is a 10 month old pointer mix. he'll have a lot of energy. >> he will have. he's only 10 months old. they have to give him long walks and play with him in the backyard. >> he's sweet and not scared. look how we are able to handle him. considering he was a stray, he's very, very afollowing the accident -- >> he's an angel. >> 8-month-old daschund. >> just a beautiful boy. his story is so sad. he is an owner surrender. >> they were moving to a place that didn't allow dogs. >> you aredowning saying i'm bored with that story. on to my next life. this angel with a face to die for is petey. he's a parson's terrier. >> he's 1 1/2 years old. >> he's missing a limb. >> he came in with a severe injured right hind leg. the best course of action was removing the leg. >> he's in perfect shape and he can live a long, beautiful life on three legs. doesn't stand in the way of him getting around at all. finally