Fallen Marine's Parents Adopt Son's Bomb Dog

myfoxdc ^ | Thursday, 03 Feb 2011 | A.P.

[algernonpj]

The parents of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan are adopting the bomb-sniffing dog who the military says loyally rushed to their son's side when he was fatally shot. ...

Brief excerpt per ap rules.

[Paperdoll]

http://www.cpwda.com/k9_handlers_kilod_2010_2019.htm

God bless the souls of all who have given their lives or limbs, and please bring all our troops safely home soon.

[windcliff]

ping

[dervish]

RIP Pfc. Rusk. Bless you and your family for your sacrifice and theirs. And I hope this dog brings them some comfort.

[TASMANIANRED]

my heart us so broken

[Wolfstar]

I'm posting some more pictures of Eli, the bomb-sniffing dog, Pfc. Colton Rusk, and his family, who adopted Eli. Thought you might enjoy seeing them. There's one particularly poignant one of Colton's 12-year-old brother and Eli. Sad and beautiful at the same time.

Colton and Eli panting together. :)

The ceremony turning Eli over to Colton's family.

Eli greets Brady Rusk, Colton's 12-year-old brother. Nobody can convince me that dog doesn't somehow know those are Colton's people.

[444Flyer]

My eyes are Niagra Falls after that pic with Eli and Colton’s little brother.

That dog is in good hands and with his family.

(Thanks for the post and the Ping, Wolfstar.)

[Wolfstar]

You’re welcome. Yes, that photo had my eyes leaking also. Look at the expression in that dog’s eyes. He knows somehow.

[Semper Mark]

I didn't make it trough this thread dry eyed.

God bless this young Marine's family and his loyal friend.

Pfc. Colton, may you Rest In Peace.

Semper Fidelis

[Semper Mark]

"Nobody can convince me that dog doesn't somehow know those are Colton's people."

I totally agree with you. I have often said that I believe a dog recognizes its owner's kin folks.

[MasterGunner01]

And when he gets to Heaven
To Saint Peter he will tell,
“Another Marine reporting, Sir,
I've served my time in Hell.”

God bless my Marine Corps brothers-in-arms.

God bless PVT Colton Rusk, your loyal K9 Eli, and your family.

Semper Fidelis

[thesearethetimes...]

Wolfstar, thank you so much for the pictures. I am with you on the picture with Colton’s little brother, Brady - “Nobody can convince me that dog doesn’t somehow know those are Colton’s people.”

Thank you God, for young men like Colton, for dogs like Eli, for the families that raise and embrace them.

And for tears - shed for them, and with them.

[trisham]

Great photos. Thank you!

[austingirl]

God bless this family and I hope that Eli provides some comfort to these people. RIP, Pfc Rusk.

[444Flyer]

“...Nobody can convince me that dog doesn’t somehow know those are Colton’s people.”

You are spot on and here’s the proof:

“...Eli wagged his tail furiously when he was brought into a small room inside the 37th Training Wing to meet his new owners. A Marine staff sergeant tried to get the dog to sit obediently while he read a letter of thanks to the family, but he relented after Eli kept lunging forward to sniff Rusk’s mother, Kathy...”

Bless his Labrador heart!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41412775/41415302

[444Flyer]

Eli knows Wolfstar. He just KNOWS...

"...A Marine staff sergeant tried to get the dog to sit obediently while he read a letter of thanks to the family, but he relented after Eli kept lunging forward to sniff Rusk’s mother, Kathy...”

[444Flyer]

(VIDEO)

“Fallen Marine’s family adopts his best friend”

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/feb/03/family-of-fallen-marine-adopts-bomb-dog/

“...LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Brady Rusk, 12, grabbed the leash and didn’t let go. He held so hard his knuckles turned white as tears streamed down his face....”

[MasterGunner01]

It used to be that the military would “put down” war dogs because they did not believe the dogs could be rehabilitated for civilian owners — even the dog handler that worked with the very dog. Many of the war dogs used in Vietnam met this fate to the everlasting pain of their handlers.

Fortunately, DoD policy has been changed and it is now possible for these dogs to find new homes with masters or families that love them. Police agencies are allowing their working dogs to “retire” with their handlers after their active work days are over.

These policies are certainly more humane than the old idea that once a dog was trained for war, it was either killed in action or put down at the end of its service life. Eli will have a full life with the Rusk's. Private Colton Rusk's most loyal and fastest friend has come home.

[444Flyer]

“It used to be that the military would “put down” war dogs because they did not believe the dogs could be rehabilitated for civilian owners — even the dog handler that worked with the very dog. Many of the war dogs used in Vietnam met this fate to the everlasting pain of their handlers...”

Good to see that policy has changed.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of that dog...”

“War Dogs on Military Channel”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tqksgs2WzY

“War Dog Tribute”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbMbsPeZuTA&feature=related

[rottndog]

This pic says it all. Damn good Marine (is there any other kind)....Damn good dog.


And yes...I have the blurry monitor virus...

[Hoosier Catholic Momma]

My screen got blurry at that bottom picture. Those two are going to be best buds for years.

Black labs are just beautiful dogs. I may be a little prejudiced with one in our house, but I guarantee Sami would rip anyone apart who tried to hurt anyone in our family (as would her chocolate lab mix sidekick). Maybe Sami dog ain’t too bright, but she’s loyal.