Injured Soldier Reunited with K-9 Hero

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | July 29, 2010 | Chelsea Cook

[Cecily]

An injured Army Guardsman home from Afghanistan was reunited Thursday with two of the heroes that saved his life in February, but there were no handshakes or salutes. There was, however, a lot of tail wagging. Sgt. Christopher Duke, originally from Franklin, Ga., submitted a "wish" to non-profit organization Hope for the Warriors to adopt the dogs he had befriended at his forward operating base in Paktia, Afghanistan. After hearing the story of how Rufus, Sasha and Target saved his life, the organization couldn't say no. "That night was just like any other night," Duke told the AJC on Thursday. "I was using the Internet. My roommates were in our room ... playing cards, and they heard the dogs going crazy, barking and growling, which was abnormal. They yelled, ‘Be quiet! Stop barking!"

[Cecily]

[freeangel]

No wonder muslims don’t like dogs. Dogs know what is in a man’s soul.

[Sunshine Sister]

What a fun post! Thanks.

[AnAmericanMother]

Wow! Somebody has really been working with those doggies.

They are SO well behaved, look at them lying there on the mat just as sweet as pie. And they don't look tranked . . . they look very alert.

Whoever sent them home has spent a good deal of time on obedience training and socialization. And that's great that they spent that time -- the dogs and their new families will be MUCH happier.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

How sweet!!

The sensitivity of our military men and women...that makes them unique among fighting forces. Not only are they the best Warriors, These Sheepdogs love their Sheep and their doggies!

[PowderMonkey]

“’T is sweet to hear the watch-dog’s honest bark
Bay deep-mouth’d welcome as we draw near home;
’T is sweet to know there is an eye will mark
Our coming, and look brighter when we come.”
- Lord Byron

[TMSuchman]

Great read & bump for later

[DollyCali]

what a great story. Nice to have NICE news for a change

[STARWISE]

The love, loyalty and devotion between man and dog ...sniff. So wonderful that they reunited. Here’s the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlqGd9lLE14

[goldfinch]

Couldn’t help but notice that the man and dogs are all in step...left foot forward.

Thanks for posting this heartwarming story.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[TASMANIANRED]

Soulful eyes.

[algernonpj]

Thanks for the post

Woof!

[NordP]

Loved it !!!! Thanks for posting!!! DOGS RULE! ;——)

[penelopesire]

Awe...what a wonderful story. Thank you for the ping.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Here’s a thread from a Georgia outdoors forum where a poster knows the soldier/fireman.

http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?p=5170695#post5170695