“Most people don’t realize the connection that Soldiers and animals make while in a combat zone,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Crocitto, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Strategy and Policy Branch chief, G-3. “It is a bond that is not easily broken and to be able to have those animals come back to the states is a great thing for the Soldiers who befriended them.”

Nowzad was named after the village in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Now Zad, which the British Royal Marines arrived at in 2006. It was organized after Royal Marine Sgt. Pen Farthing and others became attached to some of the local dogs and cats and wanted to be able to bring them home once their tours were completed.

Click here to read the rest of the story

Petty Officer Zachary Henning was deployed for a year, but it wasn’t a true homecoming until Gus made it.

“I’ve been home for two months and I’ve been waiting for him ever since,” said Henning. “He helped me survive out there and now I’m going to give him a home and allow him to survive now.”

Specialist Sheila Schaffer says these stray dogs give nothing but love, and that’s how they’re saving lives.

Click here to read the rest of the story

And these heart-warming pictures show how the stray dogs who helped soldiers through their toughest times are being thanked – with a new loving home.

US soldiers regularly make best friends with loyal Afghan dogs, who are invaluable companions on the front line and provide relief after days of brave and exhausting fire fights.

And now these lucky pets have been reunited with the servicemen who befriended them with while on duty
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2062550/Puppy-love-Heartwarming-pictures-stray-dogs-befriended-soldiers-Afghanistan-flown-thousands-miles-reunited.html#ixzz1fq8MHjdc

But there was no soldier there to meet Rio, the 4-month-old black-muzzled tan pup who was saved by Army Staff Sgt. Robert “Bob” Cook of Cheektowaga.

Click here to read the rest of the story

The 22-year-old corporal said he became a man during two tours of duty in the war, but it took a starving, battered dog to help him through the worst of it.

Dubai Kennels and Cattery has been working with the charity Nowzad to rescue stray and abandoned animals and then house them in America, usually with military personnel and their families.

The latest batch of 15 animals  – 14 dogs and a cat – arrived in Dubai this week on a flight paid for by American Airlines, and so far the kennel has helped relocate 82 animals. Todd Carson, managing partner at the firm, said: “We work with Nowzad to relocate animals from Afghanistan to other countries, mainly the US.

Click here to read the rest of the story

“I’m going to take him to the park and let him run and run in the grass,” Zachary Henning said of his black and white charge, Gus, minutes after they reunited at JFK airport. “He’s never been in grass before.”

Watch the Fox & Friends video here

Click here for the rest of the story

Click here to read the rest of the story

While serving in Helmand province, Pte Lewis befriended a stray dog, Peg, which became a mascot for his company.

He had been hoping to bring the dog back to the UK at the end of his tour of duty.

Click here to watch the video

Lewis, 22, was killed instantly.

“He was bloody unlucky,” said Lewis’ father, Antony Lewis, from Warwickshire, England.

Click here to read the rest of the story