While serving in Afghanistan, U.S. military combat dog Layka was shot four times by the enemy at point-blank range. Despite her injuries, she still attacked and subdued the shooter, saving her handler and the other members of the team. Seven hours of surgery and the amputation of one leg saved her life. Her handler, Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald, fought hard to adopt her and she’s now become a part of his family.
Thank you to all the Men, Women and Animals who serve and have served in our country’s Armed Forces.
Read more about America’s military working dogs online in National Geographic magazine:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/06/war-dogs/paterniti-text