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Ex-Marine Megan Leavey Fights To Adopt German Shepherd She Served With In Iraq

March 9, 2012 5:54 PM
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Megan Leavey and Rex (credit: Facebook)

Megan Leavey and Rex (credit: Facebook)

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VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – A former Marine is hoping to be reunited with her partner so he could live out his final days in the comfort of her Valley Cottage home.

Since being discharged in December 2007, former Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey has been fighting to adopt Sgt. Rex, a 10-year-old German Shepherd.

“I’ve spent every waking moment with that dog,” she told CBS 2′s Emily Smith.

A traumatic brain injury knocked Leavey unconscious in Iraq in 2006. Insurgents watching from a rooftop  detonated an explosive, nearly killing her as well as injuring Rex’s shoulder. Together they made it out alive.

“I’ve taken care of him. He’s taken care of me. It’s just a bond you can’t break,” she said.
After the injury,  Rex went through rehabilitation with Leavey until her military commitment ended in 2008. At that point Leavey tried to adopt him, but the military still had need of his abilities.

megan and rex 2 Ex Marine Megan Leavey Fights To Adopt German Shepherd She Served With In Iraq

Megan Leavey and Rex (credit: Facebook)

“He’s actually the oldest dog working at Camp Pendleton in California,” Leavey said.

Recently, Rex developed facial palsy, preventing him from performing his tasks.

“He’s pretty much just sitting in a kennel not doing any good,” Leavey told 1010 WINS. “If he is not approved to be adopted he could be put to sleep that same day because they pretty much don’t need him anymore.”

“What would be the point of keeping a dog that is unable to work around in the kennels? My plan is to not let that happen,” she added.

Leavey and Rex spent two six-month tours together in Iraq, completing more than 100 missions.

Leavey said while in Iraq, they depended on each other.

“Rex slept next to me, I fed him, I walked him, I groomed him,” Leavey said. “He depended on me to take care of him completely and I did, as he took care of me.”

Sen. Charles Schumer has sent a letter in Leavey’s behalf to the man in charge of the military service dog program.

Now, all Leavey can do is wait.

Please leave a comment below…

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  • Brigitte

    I think she should be allowed to take care of the dog and make his last days worth living.

  • Luci Plant

    Contact Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina. I don’t know if he is aware of this situation. He may help you. He has helped with other military dog situations.

    • Gary Fluke

      All of us can help. Please send an email message to publicaf@lackland.af.mil. Tell them how you feel and help these two to whom we owe so much!

      • Barack Obama

        I’d like to help. Its an election year and since I am a huge coward this would be very good press

    • Sam Levine, Esq.

      Can anyone help me get in touch with Megan Leavey? I want to help her adopt the German Shepherd. I am an attorney in Atlanta & I can be reached @ (404) 303-8875. Thank you.

      • caksamit

        TO THE ATTORNEY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA WHO TO HELP MARINE CPL. MEGAN LEAVEY AND SGT. REX GERMAN SHEPHERD. I HAD SEEN THIS STORY ON FOX NEWS.COM I’M SURE SOMEONE COULD HELP CONTACT MEGAN LEAVEY. CAUSE REALLY NEEDS YOUR HELP BADLY.
        WE ALL NEED TO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW THIS STORY IN HOPES TO SAVE SPECIAL SOLDIER REX TO SAVE HIS LIFE.. PLEASE KEEP SPREADING THIS STORY TO EVERYONE AND ANYONE”LET HAVE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN HERE TO MEGAN & REX’ TO REUNITE THEM SHARE THEIR LOVE. I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT IF WE TRY HARD ENOUGH. CAKSAMIT

        • David Griswold

          Her FaceBook page is Megan J Leavey

          • caksamit

            David Griswold,
            Thank you for helping locate Megan J. Leavey as I received an email with the information.
            You’re a great man and helper too ….
            Sincerely,
            caksamit

      • caksamit

        THERE’S ATTORNEY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA WHO WANTS TO CONTACT MEGAN LEAVEY. HER HOMETOWN IS VALLEY COTTAGE, NEW YORK.. THE ATTORNEY LEFT HIS/ OR HER PHONE # TO BE REACHED AT(404)303-8875.
        IF THERE’S ANYONE OUT THERE who know her CONTACT MEGAN LEAVEY WITH THIS ATTORNEY PLEASE HELP…….TIME IS AN ISSUE FOR REX…
        THANK YOU,
        caksamit

      • caksamit

        Sam Levine, Esq.:
        I am the one who you contacted about Megan J. Leavey and I have some great news as I found her on Facebook. Through help of many people who wanted to see a happy ending with her and Rex. I have let her know that you’re trying to contact her to help in anyway. I, too would love to see this happen and I believe in my heart. “Good things happen to good people for reasons”…. I wish you well in contacting Megan and making a dream come true.
        Sincerely,
        caksamit

  • dw

    Can’t we do just one act of decency in this war?

    • THE REALITY TSAR

      Our soldiers and Marines have preformed heroically and have displayed incredible humanity and decency in their behavior.

      Certainly it would be nice if this Marine and Rex could be reunited, but don’t sell all of our other heros short.

  • ddw

    Can’t we do just one act of decency in all this war chaos?

  • Debbie

    We as Americans should stand up not only to protect our two legged servicemen but also our four legged . Let her have the dog NOW ,later we will find out how much the government spent on keeping the dog in a kennel when he had someone that loved him and wanted him.

    • Jeff Benson

      This translates to me the Kennel Master & Vet are making fun of the law Rep. Stenny Hoyer passed, that allows for MWDs to honorably retire.

      Is Rex sick that they think they can afford his medical expenses?

      The Merck Veterinary Manual, I’m certain, is the medical manual they are following.

  • Rod and Sue

    WHEN IN THE WORLD DID THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE LOSE ALL
    OF ITS COMPASSION AND COMMON SENSE? SHAME, SHAME ON
    THOSE CONSIDERING ANYTHING OTHER THAN ALLOWING REX TO
    BE ADOPTED BY HIS BEST FRIEND. WE AND THOUSANDS ARE OPPOSING ANYTHING OTHER THAN ADOPTION – LISTEN TO US!

    • JoAnna

      The Only Right Thing To Do Is To Let These Two Brave Soldiers Live The Rest Of They’re Lives Together Peacefully. It’t The Least We Can Do!

  • Georgia Schilling

    This veteran should be allowed to adopt her beloved partner! What is the purpose of euthanizing him? Maybe the Humane Sociiety International can help. They unite veterans with their animal partners. These two served, and must be together….

  • Mike Bolen

    It is the least we can do as a nation for all that serve.

  • Kelly Dennis

    My apologies CBS New York. You did print my original comment. Thank you.

    • Eric Kinback

      KUDO’s to you Kelly,,, not many today would apologize… But I praise your enthusiasm… I agree,,,, “Let The Boy Go Home”,,,,, and live out his life in “The Lap Of Luxury”……….. And Kudo’s to you too Megan,,,, you have a “Heart of Gold”,,, and thank you for your service… We are all safer because of you…. God Bless You….

  • Kelly Dennis

    What’s the matter CBS New York? Was my language too strong for you. All I said was that if the man/person in charge of the service dog program didn’t let Megan have Rex, he should suffer the same fate that they intended for Rex. I left out the adjectives that kept you from printing my first comment. I hope that this tamed down version meets with your approval.

  • Kelly Dennis

    If the man in charge of the service dog program doesn’t allow Megan to have Rex, they should put the son-of-a-bitch asshole down instead of the dog.

  • Penny and Thierry

    all of this is silly of course we should respect our heroes and let meghan adopt this dog good luck and our thoughts are with you

  • Gena

    I believe Megan and Rex should be together they have served there country.show us we can still believe in happy endings.Thank you!

  • ..AUTUMN

    HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO A HERO. SHAME ON YOU. PLEASE GIVE HIM THE RESPECT HE DESERVES, NOT TO MENTION THE LOVE.

  • Dave

    I was in the Air Force and common sense and compassion are words that I would ever have applied to the way things were run in any of my places of duty. Everyone who has read this story knows what the right thing to do is without having to think about it. C’mon Marine Commander, think outside that tiny box and let Megan have her dog. It really is HER dog.

  • Rene Lopez

    What is wrong with these people? Are we so stuck on bureaucratic bs that we forget practicality and common sense anymore? How about common decency? Or, if nothing else, save the government money. Let Megan take over the food bills, vet bills and caretaker pay.

  • duncan tremblay

    Give Cpl Leavey the dog. It would be one less injustice in the military long list of their brand of justice. As a veteran I am familiar with their deception of truth

  • Marcia Haines

    Don’t be so cruel, give her the dog.

    • Helen Silvers

      I agree!

  • R. Lennon

    What is there to be lost by allowing Megan to adopt Rex?

  • Pam S.

    Let Cpl. Leavey and Rex be together!! It’s the only right thing to do!

    • Linda R.

      I agree with Pam S. Give them both a break and allow them to live together forever!
      Linda R. in TX

  • Wanda Otooole

    I am a vetern and often times the military makes mistakes. At one time there was a “buddy system” to enter with your relative or friend. So, even the US Goverment must know what it means to be “together”. Dogs have souls and this woman is willing to accept the responsibility from the Military. Leavey should contact her US Representative (who usually don’t have their kids serving in the military, so hopefully they can acknowledge her service and help). Contact the local Humane Society in New York as well. This is beyond ridiculous and just another example of how the military could give a rat’s ass for those who have served.

  • Monique Gomez

    Please let Megan leavely keep her dog. This would be an injustice to let this dog die. Megan is a hero and deserves to have her dog by her side.

  • Inge M. Prince

    Please let Megan adopt this heroic Dog> he deserves to be with her till death to them part.
    He protected her and she protected him. What is your problem? Its the only humane thing to do. Let them live happyli ever after. The Dog deserves to enjoy life after the sacrifices he made. He misses Megan. Have a heart.

  • John Huppe

    To not reunite this soldier with her K9 would be cruel to soldier and K9. Common sense seems to be in short supply lately.

  • Connie Vasquez

    It is utterly appalling that anyone would consider treating this four legged soldier with anything less than the dignity and the honor that he deserves. I have shared this story on Facebook and will write to each of the sources that you have all been kind enough to post. I pray these two will be reunited soon. Also, I was told one other source to contact would be: publicaf@lackland.af.mil

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