How can a few stray dogs save 50 lives?

 

 

 

A group of American soldiers serving under Sgt. Chris Duke in Afghanistan found solace and companionship in 3 friendly stray dogs. With regular contact they formed a bond and the dogs took it upon themselves to alleviate homesickness and become guardians of the group.

One night Sasha, Rufus and Target alerted soldiers that an intruder was nearby. A suicide bomber had made his way into the camp with the intention of blowing up the barracks. The three dogs would not allow the bomber to pass and barked to arouse attention. As a result the bomb went off outside the barracks and no soldiers’ lives were taken. Sasha sadly sustained severe injuries and had to be euthanized but the other two dogs made a full recovery.

When Sgt. Duke’s deployment came about approximately a month later he feared deeply for the future of Rufus and Target. What if the next unit did not tolerate the presence of the strays? The dogs had effectively saved 50 lives. He wrote to ‘Hope for the Warriors’ (a veteran’s assistance group) requesting he be able to relocate the dogs to the United States. A Facebook page also helped raise the funds to transport the dogs to their new home in America. This included puppies of both Target and Sasha. Target had taken on Sasha’s pups after Sasha died. She also had a litter of her own. The group of dogs was called ‘The Lucky Seven’.

Leah & Angela O’Meara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)