[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.

[Wolfstar]

Lots of tears watching that video. Thanks for posting the link. After life, itself, and intelligence, dogs are the greatest gift God gave human beings. Friend, companion, guardian, workmate, playmate...all these, and more, dogs have been to humans for thousands of years. In some ways, they know us better than we know ourselves. These days, some are even using that knowledge to help diagnose cancer in its early stages. There is a reason why dog is God spelled backwards.