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An army soldier is doing everything he can to rescue his best friend and deliver the little guy from a war zone to safety.
US Army Specialist Howe, who is currently deployed overseas, got the surprise of his life when he recently spotted a little pup.
The pup had snuck onto its base.
The little dog ran through the door and immediately latched onto the soldier, Howe told Paws of War, a New York-based animal rescue nonprofit.
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The frightened pup was apparently seeking shelter from the ‘cruel’ and ‘dangerous’ conditions of the area outside.
Sweet pup – named Doc – gives his rescuer, Army Specialist Howe, a cheerful kiss.
(War Paws)
“It was like he knew me,” the soldier said.
Howe named the pup Doc and gave him some food and water, as he was “very dehydrated and desperately hungry”.
Now Doc refuses to leave the soldier’s side.
He gave the whole camp a “much-needed morale boost,” Paws of War shared with Fox News Digital in a statement.
“He walks around among his new family members, wagging his tail and giving kisses in exchange for a few belly rubs,” the organization said.
Army Specialist Howe, whose identity must be kept secret for security reasons, sits with his rescued pup, Doc.
(War Paws)
The other soldiers joke with Howe, calling Doc his “shadow”, since the dog is “constantly behind” him.
“Wherever I go, he’s there,” he said.
“I love having him with me.”
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Howe admitted that he and his comrades “slept better at night” just by having Doc around.
The soldier promised his pup that he would do “everything [he] couldn’t leave him behind” – which would require sending the pup back to Kentucky.
Paws of War was eventually approached to help the soldiers do the job – and the group agreed.
“I can finally keep my promise to Doc,” said the serviceman.
Howe explained to Paws of War that as a proud infantryman he was pledged to “help and protect” – so saving Doc is an “indescribable relief”.
U.S. Army Specialist Howe holds his rescue pup, Doc.
(War Paws)
“He’s done so much for us here,” he said.
“And he deserves to come home with me where he’ll be safe.”
Doc is currently in foster care while awaiting a flight to the United States. Authorities are not yet sure of the dog’s breed; they plan to perform DNA testing once the animal is on US soil.
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New York-based Paws of War, led by co-founder Robert Misseri, has brought more than 300 dogs and cats — all rescued by US troops overseas — to safety in the United States since 2014, according to its site. website.
“Doc may just be a dog overseas, but it’s a dog’s life that we can change and stop his soldier feeling guilty for having to leave him behind,” Misseri said. at Fox News Digital.
The co-founder explained that he had heard many heartbreaking stories of servicemen who had no choice but to leave their pets behind – and how it “took so heavy on their hearts forever”.
“We have the opportunity to change that now,” he said. “They both deserve to be together.”
In the past few months alone, Misseri and the Paws of War team have completed over 22 international missions.
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This includes reuniting two Navy sailors and their rescue dogs – puppies who were rescued from near certain death in the Middle East.
“I didn’t know what to do because we had to leave, and I couldn’t live without them,” veteran Coreen Johnson said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
US Navy Chief Petty Officer Matt Johnson and Navy veteran Coreen Johnson are shown in a selfie with Ruby and Sunny.
(War Paws)
Puppies named Ruby and Sunny were successfully shipped to their owners last month after the married couple moved to Japan.
“We don’t need our stuff,” she said.
“We’re just happy to have them with us.”
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Donations for Doc’s rescue mission and rescue missions for dozens of other animals are currently being accepted at pawsofwar.networkforgood.com.