Do you wonder how military personnel and their dogs part ways? Military dogs have been assigned to their military masters ever since their training days, and they have spent years going over different missions. It’s impossible not to get attached to them, given that they’re together in every duty. This was shown when one military dog from Norfolk, Virginia, reunited with his master, who was transferred to a different place.
Carlos Aranda is a military dog handler who handled Donnie. They spent three years working together when Aranda was on duty in Norfolk, Virginia. Their bonding deepened as they spent much of their days training and working together in security missions. Aranda was new to the military field when he first met Donnie and he has learned a lot in the field thanks to his military companion.
Aranda shared that when military personnel are new to the Navy, they don’t have much experience, so they pair them with a dog who knows their way around. These dogs have worked and trained with different handlers, which, in return, helped them understand the job inside out. While it is known to many that a man teaches a dog tricks, military dogs are the exact opposite as they teach the man tricks to know their way around.
Their connection was further strengthened over the years with multiple successful missions that they did together. Since Donnies is a highly skilled and trained military dog, he did missions involving sweeps for explosives to ensure the safety of civilians and military personnel around. Due to the number of successful missions that Donnie did, he was chosen as one of the military dogs to give protection to the President of the United States.
While they’re doing a great job in their duty, their bond is interrupted when Aranda receives the news that he was transferred to Leemore Naval Air Station, which means that he will be leaving Donnie behind. Still, Aranda remembers Donnie from time to time while he was deployed in a much farther area. But while he was away, Donnie suffered an unfortunate accident as he suffered a severe leg injury while on duty. This marks the end of Donnie’s military service as the accident led to his medical retirement.
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The Reunion
After Aranda heard of Donnie’s retirement, he knew he had to do something to see his former partner. The thought of Donnie retiring due to his condition saddens him, so he reached out to Paws of War, an organization that specializes in reuniting military personnel with retired dogs who once became their partner in every duty that they do.
Aranda called Paws of War, and they immediately answered on the first ring. Aranda recalled that the organization was very eager to help him as he felt relief that there was someone ready to help him with his request.
Paws of War quickly sprang into action as they arranged for Donnie to be transported to Lemoore to reunite with his former partner, Aranda. One of the members of the organization, Nicki Dawson, played a huge role in the cross-country journey of Donnie. He ensured that the dog was comfortable and well cared for during the entirety of the trip.
Dawson said that they’re committed to military dogs for life. He shared that when dogs are medically retired or aging out of service, it means that they now require veterinary care and extra support. This is when the Paws of War step in as they provide medical care, as well as food, for the heroes who once served the country.
The reunion at the Lemoore Naval Air Station was one joyous moment for both Aranda and Donnie as he quickly ran towards his former partner when he entered the room, remembering every moment that they spent together as partners.
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From The Club
Military dogs have one of the saddest stories as they spent all their lives training and accompanying their masters in different duty missions. But as they grow older, when their services are no longer needed, they are left in military dog shelters for retirement. Some lucky military dogs are adopted to stay in the homes of their handler’s families, while some are not, wondering when their handlers will come to visit them. Organizations like Paws of War which specializes in military dogs, warm my heart since I know that there is someone looking out for them.
