Byung Kang is a 31-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. This man served in Afghanistan, there he met Blue, a black Labrador trained to detect improvised explosive devices, the two participated in more than 300 combat missions during the period 2011-2012. Kang never forgot her and upon returning home, he decided to adopt the dog that saved his life.
The former Marine attributes being at home now thanks to Blue, and for the last 6 years he focused on contacting different military branches and non-profit organizations to have his former partner by his side.
Blue was excellent at his job, on his first mission he managed to sniff out an explosive device, saving the lives of the platoon members.
Navy Veteran Adopts Dog That Saved His Life «From there, Blue started to get the trust and respect of my platoon.»
Kang was so grateful to Blue for keeping him safe on every deployment they made, that one night in Afghanistan he made a promise to his partner.
«I said, ‘What you’ve done for me and my guys here in Afghanistan, we can’t give it back. So I’m going to give you a good home where you can curl up all day, without worrying about going to war and finding bombs.'»
When Kang finished her time in Afghanistan, Blue was reassigned and the contact between the two was lost, but the veteran never forgot his promise and told Wendy who at the time was his fiancée. Among his plans was to adopt Blue as soon as she retired from service.
Wendy is also a Marine veteran. She used her connections to find Blue and facilitate her adoption when she finally retired, and in late 2018 she was welcomed into their home.
«I did everything in my power to make sure we could get Blue home, after all the stories I heard, I know for sure that Blue is one of the reasons BK is here with me and he’s alive.»
Kang is now a K-9 officer with the Duluth Police Department. Blue also serves in the police department next to him.
Blue is now 11 years old and lives in Georgia with Kang and Wendy, two children, five dogs and two cats. Earlier this year Blue was diagnosed with cancer, but fortunately, the mass in her mouth turned out to be benign; she now has a quiet life and loves to give hugs.
That experience led Kang to enter Blue at the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, where he is a semifinalist in the military dog category.
Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane invites everyone to read the remarkable stories of these incredible heroes on his official website.
«Military dogs work side by side with our warriors, facing the same trials and dangers to keep our nation safe.»
The Navy veteran is grateful for Blue and all military dogs, and highlights their courage and service.
«These working dogs, they will give their lives for us, therefore, we must be grateful to them and respect them and, above all, trust them because dogs will not lie.»
