Byung Kang has served in the US Marine Corps for 31 years. This guy was stationed in Afghanistan, where he met Blue, a black Labrador trained to identify improvised explosive devices. Between 2011 and 2012, both participated in more than 300 combat operations. Kang never forgot her and decided to adopt the dog that had saved his life when he came home.

The former Marine credits Blue for making him feel at home, and has spent the past six years contacting various military divisions and nonprofit groups in hopes of reuniting with his former friend.

Blue was naturally talented in his profession; On his first mission, he discovered an explosive device and saved the lives of the platoon.

A Navy veteran adopts the dog that saved his life.

Today, Kang said:

“From then on, Blue began to gain the trust and respect of my platoon.”

Kang was so grateful to Blue for keeping him safe on every deployment that he made a promise to his partner one night in Afghanistan.

Kang told that story:

“I told him, ‘We can’t pay you for what you’ve done for me and my troops in Afghanistan.’ So instead of going to war and collecting bombs, I will offer you a wonderful home where you can snuggle all day.

When Kang returned from Afghanistan, Blue was transferred and they lost contact, but the veteran never forgot his promise and informed Wendy that she was his fiancée at the time. One of his goals was to adopt Blue as soon as she left the military.

Kang is now a K-9 officer with the Duluth Police Department. Blue also serves in the police department alongside him.

 

Blue is now 11 years old and resides in Georgia with her parents, Kang and Wendy, as well as their two children, five dogs, and two cats. Ella Blue was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but the tumor in her mouth turned out to be benign and she now lives a quiet life and likes to give hugs.

As a result of this experience, Kang entered Blue into the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, where he is a semi-finalist in the military dog ​​category.

Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, encourages everyone to read the inspiring stories of these unsung heroes on his official website.

He wrote to Today in an email and said:

“Military dogs work alongside our troops, enduring the same challenges and risks to keep our country safe.”

The blue, like other military canines, is prized by the Navy veteran, who emphasizes his bravery and duty.

He said, “

“Because these working dogs will give their lives for us, we should be grateful to them, respect them, and most importantly, trust them because dogs don’t lie.”