Wounded soldiers salute hero dogs

File image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Michael Neri

On Thursday, The Unknown Soldiers told you about five Americans being injured in a terrorist attack on an American base in Dand aw Patan, eastern Afghanistan. According to The Times-Herald in Newnan, Georgia, all five soldiers were part of Bravo 2-121, a unit of the 48th Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.

The newspaper relays an extraordinary account of the suicide bombing by Sgt. Devin Shaner. The soldier said his five comrades wounded in the attack, Sgt. Chris Duke, Staff Sgt. Charles Lancaster, Staff Sgt. Tony Davis, Staff Sgt. Marty Brownlee, and Spc. 1st Class Garry Ware, all believe two dogs may have helped stop the terrorist from reaching his target. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried about by an assailant disguised as an Afghan police officer. Sgt. Shaner e-mailed his unit's story to The Times-Herald:

After the five casualties had been medevaced to another base, secondary assessments of the area began. During that check, Rufus was found lying outside of the building.

Witnesses said they saw Rufus and Sasha biting the leg of the attacker as if they were trying to keep him from entering the building. Because of their efforts, the attacker was only able to make it to the building entrance. Had the dogs not tried to stop him, no one knows what the outcome would have been or how many more casualties we would have taken.

Plain and simple, Rufus saved countless lives.

Some people say they have read or heard stories of dogs with another sense in which they can detect danger. It was clear that Rufus sensed danger that night.

The next day, medics treated Rufus for his injuries sustained in the blast. Unfortunately, Sasha did not survive the attack.

One of the five injured soldiers was evacuated from Afghanistan for further treatment. The other four are reportedly doing fine, and three have already been cleared to return to duty. Thankfully, none of the injuries are thought to be life threatening. One of the fortunate soldiers may have Rufus by his side back home, as the troops are now organizing an effort to adopt the exceptional dog that helped protect them and many other brave Americans.

It is often said that you never know how people will react in combat. Yet had an Afghan dog and little puppy not taken action, these men may never have lived to tell this amazing story to their family, friends, and countrymen. Rufus is going to make one heck of an American citizen.