Retired Marine Finally Reunited With Her Old Service Dog
- Posted on April 8, 2012 at 9:42am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
(Image source: North County Times)
A retired Marine has finally been reunited with her old military service dog after a six-year bureaucratic battle to adopt him.
Cpl. Megan Leavey, 28, served with her four-legged German shepherd partner Sgt. Rex through two tours in Iraq, completing hundreds of missions searching for roadside bombs until an insurgent explosion took them both out of service in 2006.
“I was on foot patrol in Iraq during the day, there was insurgents watching us from afar and they detonated an IED at a certain point when we got close,” Leavey told ABC News. “It was real scary, it was a long day for us, we got through it together and recovered together after.”
Leavey retired from the military and tried unsuccessfully to adopt Rex, but because of his valuable training he was put back in service after recovering from his injuries.
Rex was diagnosed with a kind of nerve paralysis earlier this year, permanently taking him out of service and prompting Leavey to take up a new adoption campaign. It became a race against the clock to get final approval before Rex was put down — something Leavey said can happen with old working dogs that become ill and are unable to be adopted out for safety reasons.
She was given final approval to adopt Rex month, and reunited with him when he was discharged at a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday.
“I haven’t seen him in so long, so, it’s nice to see him again,” Leavey told ABC.
At 11 years old, Leavey said Rex will be living a well-deserved life of luxury at her New York home.
“Whatever he wants. He wants to sleep all day. I have a nice fenced-in yard, so he’s got plenty of area to run around. I got plenty of toys,” she told KCEN-TV.
Mike Dowling, Rex’s first handler, told ABC Leavey and Sgt. Rex are a perfect match.
“He’s a combat-wounded marine, and someone that’s going to understand him the best is another combat-wounded marine,” Dowling said.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 582 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 411 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 408 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 374 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 363 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 408 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 411 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 363 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 408 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (79)
dmac48858
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 2:03pmGreat story, My dog is truly my best friend… God bless both of them…
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 2:32pmThis is great. The original Blaze story was on 3/10/12. I’m glad it got resolved in a positive way.
Report Post »Anamah
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:45pmAgree with you… I’m so happy to finally see they are going to be together! Good luck to both heroes!!!
Report Post »little big man
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 5:20pmI’m crying…..grrrrrrrrrrrreat story. I have a german shepard named lex great dog my best friend.
Report Post »Damn_Lucky
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:52pmThank you both for your service.
Report Post »Semper Fi
lukerw
Posted on April 9, 2012 at 2:31amAgreed!
Report Post »Fishmanone
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:38pmTHANKS for your service,both of you!!! Its a CRYING SHAME the goverment took SO LONG!!! and they want to run our HEALTH CARE??????????????????????
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:49pmIt more than an issue of health care. It’s an issue of whether you own yourself or the government does.If they own you, they can do anything they want to you and with you. They want to eliminate us.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 2:30pmthey call them a working dog for a reason. They are military property, not pets.
Keep it real.
Report Post »ALL4FREEDOM
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 5:27pmResponse to RANGERP: So, are you suggesting that the human “military property” be put down as well when they are no longer “useful”?
Report Post »CruisingGranny
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:52pmgreat analogy. yes, under obummercare, anyone that age (in dog years) would not get any treatment. how disgraceful that this young wounded warrior had to wait 6 yrs. to be reunited with her trusted wounded warrior. i hope he was taken good care of during that time
Report Post »GODBLESSOURCOUNTRY
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 6:59pmIsn’t that the truth? She could have had 6 more years of joy with him – they started when Rex was 5 years old! Sick of the red tape – should have just handed her the dog when she asked – they both deserved a seamless transition.
Report Post »BashfulBob
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:36pmour dog Is only a lap dog,but,he brings comfort to may family,we know when we go to sleep at night,he Is on our bed,detecting any sound an Intruder might make..
we give him a nice life,and love,he gives us his love,and countless joy..
But,thanks Sgt. Rex,for being on the front line for us,as well as Megan,God bless you both..
Report Post »toto
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:19pmLove the great outcome to this story. Of topic, but noteworthy is bureacratic wasted time bringing these two together. Who in their right mind would want to turn over health care to the government, just on those grounds alone.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:34pmMy thoughts exactly before I read your post! But then we must remember, they were going to put him down, just like the healthcare bill will do to those no longer of value (in their opinion, of course).
Report Post »Deepdiver58
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 12:58pmFrom one old vet to the young vets of today (human and canine): God bless you and all that you have done for our country.
Report Post »doxyonr
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 1:18pmAmen
Report Post »DaveOregon
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 2:03pmHere, here!
Report Post »AllAmericanGirl22
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 12:55pmGod Bless them and thank you for your service!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 12:15pm.
Report Post »God bless them both.
They’ll be there for each other.
G-WHIZ
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 12:06pmI have had(and still have) many shelter-dogs, because they have been forgotten, and as I have been adopted while just-born, would love to have some one to love them back. Please give him a soft hug for me and I will feel it, too.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:35amRex may you live a loooong and happy life with Megan.
Thank you both for your service.
Report Post »SpeckledPup
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:25amSemper Fi. Always.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 11:14amGlad they were united so Rex could live out his remaining days relaxing and playing and well just being a dog. Both served our country well.
Report Post »woodcellar
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:56amThe gov did one thing right this year at least.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:49amI am so happy to see the two of them together again. They both served well and Sgt. Rex should have some relaxing time in his retirement. Thank you both for your service.
Report Post »mjgma
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:48amThank you Cpl Leavey for your persistance, Thank you both for your service and sacrifice for my freedom. God Bless you both.
Report Post »Eileenr
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:46amI’m currently reading a book by Mike Dowling called Sergeant Rex. I’m so happy to know that he will spend the rest of his life in comfort and with lots of love.
Report Post »right
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:34amYes!! Some good news.
Report Post »Thank you both for your service to our country.
My you enjoy each others company for a very long time.
rickroland
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:23amGreat story! The world needs more stories like this!
Report Post »ohiowordguy
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:22amSemper Fi and thanks to both for your service!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:17amHooray! GOD BLESS AND PROTECT you both from here on out.
Thank you both for your service! There are not enough words to express our gratitude.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:15amEnjoy your retirement Rex and thank you both, Cpl. Leavey and Rex, for your faithful service.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:04amSemper Fi is not only for Jarheads on two feet—– glad this baby is home for good !
Report Post »SoupSammich
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 9:57amFinally some decent news. Glad this worked out for both of them-
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:25amAnd didn’t we all need some good news? I love stories like this.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 10:31amI agree …and thank God .. because we know who really reunited them.
Blessed Easter everyone.
Report Post »OhSnappage
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 2:00pmYay!
Report Post »MikeinIdaho
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 9:57amMegan,
Report Post »Thank you and Sgt Rex for your service! God bless you both.
Sincerely,
an old Navy veteran
TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 9:52amSemper Fi “Always Faithful” has never been more true… especially in a story like this. My dog is more than just a pet, and I am more than just an owner.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 12:03pmI am my dog’s mother. I guess that makes me a b….. oh never mind!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 8, 2012 at 12:51pmAdnil……….You and me both. Thanks for the chuckle.
Time2………My old girl is getting old now but when she goes I will find me another friend. Not to replace her,she’ll always be special, but because I can’t imagine my life without a dog in it.
Report Post »