Dog is man’s best friend, but sometimes man is a dog’s best friend right back.
A military K-9 named Rocky and his handler of two years, Army Specialist Andrew Brown, were hit by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device (IED) “while searching a structure” in Afghanistan, according to a Facebook post from the 89th Military Police Brigade, which is based in Fort Hood, Texas.
The two, who arrived Dec. 9 to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, are both healing from the injuries side-by-side. "Rocky and his handler are staying in the same room right now as they are receiving treatment for their injuries," the 89th Military Police Brigade also wrote on Facebook. "Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they recover during the holiday season."
The image has resonated with a lot of people and has gone viral, receiving over 8,000 likes and 4,000 shares on Facebook alone.
Another photo of just Rocky, wearing a purple heart on his collar, has received more than 100,000 shares and likes.
Both Brown and Rocky were awarded Purple Hearts, Brown told ABC News.
But Brown is quick to credit Rocky for their work. "He does everything," Brown, a husband and father or two, told ABC. "I'm just really a guy with a leash. I bring him to the area and let him do his thing. If he responds, I translate that ... let them know my dog got a response right here. I know the way he works, I know his change of behavior.”
Brown also noted that Rocky's rank is one above his own and is considered an American soldier.
The images have tugged at the heartstrings of both animal lovers and military families alike, and some of the comments left under the images are extremely touching:
To see how you can help retired military dogs like Rocky, check out Mission K-9 Rescue for more information.
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