Heroic Afghan Dog Reunited with U.S. Soldier

(CBS)  When Georgia National Guardsman Chris Duke was serving in Afghanistan, he made friends with the locals - stray dogs Sasha, Target and Rufus.

"A lot of us used the three of them as an escape when you're homesick," Duke said.

But, as CBS News national correspondent Jeff Glor reports, the dogs did much more than keep him company.

"I firmly believe I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him," Duke said.

On a February night, a suicide bomber tried to get into Duke's barracks. But the dogs began barking and biting the intruder. The attacker blew himself up before he could kill 50 soldiers inside.

Sasha was severely injured and had to be put down. But Rufus and Target were both nursed back to health. Duke returned home a month later - the dogs had to stay behind.

As another soldier kept an eye on the dogs, Duke wrote a letter to a veterans assistance group called "Hope for the Warriors." In the letter, Duke requested bringing the dogs home to him.

"This was going to mean a lot to him," said Robin Kelleher, President of Hope for the Warriors. "So whatever we needed to do to get this wish done we were going to do that."

Other organizations heard about the story, too. A Facebook page went up, and raised $21,000 in less than 3 months - enough for the dogs to leave Afghanistan.

This week, Rufus and Target finally arrived in the U.S. Today, in Atlanta, they were reunited for the first time with Duke and his wife.

Target will live in Arizona with another soldier, while Rufus will stay with the Dukes.

"To think that I'm going to have him for the rest of my life - it's exciting," Duke said.

Exciting because he knows he wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the dogs. Now they wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Duke.

More Information

Hope for the Warriors
Puppy Rescue Mission
Robert's Cause

[ariz_1944]

Dogs give Humans SO MUCH MORE than we can EVER give them!!

[endubs]

Great story!
Note: Unless the article is wrong, your caption under the photo is incorrect in stating he was saved by Rufus; it should be Sasha.

[david4673]

Wow,

A truly moving and heart warming bit of news.... seems a rarity these days.

Thanks for this piece, Mr. Glor and CBS.

[OmegaWolf747]

They aren't called Man's Best Friend for nothing. :-)

[ouchitatom]

The loyalty of a canine is projected like the love of a infant to thier mother through thier eyes and actions.Let us not forget that to these soldiers being reunited with these dogs through hard work and selfless donations of time and moneyfrom the people who made this happen, they too are heros. Anyone who has looked into the eyes of loyal animal and have seen thier love without a word spoken knows that leaving them behind must have very difficult. Please if you would? Snack that dog for me!.

[larrryshrine]

Dogs are so unbelievable. I have a service dog - a golden retriever named Buster - to help me with PTSD among other things. He has saved my life emotionally. He makes it possible to get out of the house, he "watches my back," he helps me with balance issues. Buster is a lifesaver. I am so thankful this soldier got his dogs back, and am sorry that one had to be put down. Again, dogs can be amazing! Thank you.

[MummyUSAandUK]

Wow its interesting how a story can cause/bring tears,
May he get the dogs and they live happy.
Sincerely Desiree

[Dr-Herb]

What a great need, We should of left them there to save others.

[jonesbeach2]

I loved the story on The Puppy Rescue Mission.......it is strange you never mentioned them or gave them any recognition for all that went into this. Your facts were jumbled and confusing.
I have been a small part of this from the start and your story though well intended gave many miscommunications. I suggest you go to the site on Facebook and do a follow up story.
All of us love GOOD news.......and this is a great news story.

[Shocktribe]

Dogs are sometimes better people than people are.