The dog she met during deployment became her best friend. When soldiers meet dogs during their deployment, they serve as their best companions while they’re away from home.
When it’s time for the soldier to return home, it’s hard for them to leave the dogs behind. Thankfully, there are organizations that help soldiers be reunited with the dogs they have met during their deployment.
Oregon Army National Guard Sergeant Erin Guthrie met a dog during her deployment at Kosovo. It was a stray dog named Meeka, short for miqesi, which means friendship in Albanian.
Initially, Sgt. Guthrie was nervous when Meeka first approached her. She was not used to meeting stray dogs; she thought that the dog would hurt her. Later on, she realized that Meeka only wanted a friend because she was lonely and shy.
Sgt. Guthrie formed a unique friendship with Meeka while she was in Kosovo. They were inseparable, being there for each other when they felt lonely and scared.
However, Sgt. Guthrie had to leave for New York once her deployment was over. Sadly, she had to leave Meeka in Kosovo.
It Is Hard To Leave Your Best Friend Behind
Sgt. Guthrie could not forget Meeka. She always on her mind. Sgt. Guthrie never imagined that she would have such a strong attachment to the dog.
Although Meeka had been her loyal companion in Kosovo, she thought once she was home she would forget her. Sgt. Guthrie tried to forget Meeka by adopting a dog from her area. But, that was not to be.
Instead, she knew deep in her heart that she wanted Meeka to be with her. No other dog could take the place of her best furry friend.
Sgt. Guthrie desperately wanted to bring Meeka to the United States! She got in touch with Paws of War to help her reunite with Meeka. Paws of War is an organization that helps in reuniting soldiers with the dogs they met during their assignment.
Paws of War raised more than $6,000 to help Sgt. Guthrie in bringing Meeka to the United States. Getting an animal from one country to another required many challenges and paperwork, but Robert Misseri, Paws of Wars co-founder, said that it’s all worth it.
Sgt. Guthrie was so delighted to see Meeka once again, and this time, it’s for good! She was so happy that the dog remembered her despite being away from each other for months.
It’s a magical moment whent a human and a dog form a bond in another country. Love will indeed find a way to reunite them together. Make memories together, Sgt. Guthrie and Meeka!
Not all dogs interacting with soldiers are civilians. Some are also soldiers. https://happymutt.org/should-dogs-receive-a-purple-heart/
Screenshots qnd original story from local21news.co