Soldier Adopts Dog That Saved His Life | National Geographic

While serving in Afghanistan, U.S. military combat dog Layka was shot four times by the enemy at point-blank range. Despite her injuries, she still attacked and subdued the shooter, saving her handler and the other members of the team. Seven hours of surgery and the amputation of one leg saved her life. Her handler, Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald, fought hard to adopt her and she's now become a part of his family.

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PRODUCERS: Sarah Joseph and Spencer Millsap, NGM Staff
VIDEOGRAPHY: Spencer Millsap, NGM Staff
EDITOR: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, NGM Staff

Soldier Adopts Dog That Saved His Life | National Geographic

National Geographic

[BrieMarie]

I like when he "They're not scary. They've done scary things, but they deserve homes and they deserve good home." Truer words were never spoken. Soldiers have also done 'scary things', so dogs should be treated the same as soldiers...like heros.

[LazrCat]

I have major respect for military dogs.

[ryanbelsha]

They need to make armor for dogs so they are protected

[diablo]

"too aggressive"... isn't it us who make them like that in the first place? That's a lame excuse... I am glad he adopted her :-)

[benconniford]

They do something that 99% of us wouldn’t want to do, never a truer word spoken! This dog and all service dogs deserve this level of happiness and love!

[kato]

The dog served its country, it deserves to be treated with honor like any other veteran.

[ppunkmonkk]

who tf disliked the have been either a cat isis

[gator]

My company had a bomb dog named Buster.
He was an awesome dog, and probably saved us more times than we realized. These dogs are members of the unit, no discussion.
But he would, without fail, snatch your water bottles and chew them to shit. Haha.

[glockgen]

ANYONE who says these animals are excess equipment are fools, including top brass military "leaders" These animals are beyond hero's and for military brass to speak of them with such low respect sickens me!

[kitchenwitch]

Dogs are NOT equipment! They are just as important as those of us that have served. They deserve to be treated with the same respect.

[tone]

I am a police lieutenant and dog handler with the Berlin police in Berlin-Germany.
My dog ​​is a colleague, friend, family member, loved by my wife and sons and will immediately enjoy permanent retirement with the family when he retires.
He is a great creature and deserves the utmost respect.
May he stay healthy for a long, long time.

[GentleSecurity]

I love how that dog can just adapt to only having 3 legs, it's amazing.

[AzlianaLyana]

For a moment, I'm speechless... after watching this video. Sgt. Julian McDonald, I SALUTE you both, RESPECT. Thanks National Geographic for sharing, great video.

[Spccain]

Here i am mad at my dog because she peed on my bed but this Makes me wanna hold my dog and cherish every second I have with her.

[cityyliights_]

I feel so bad for this dog, and this soldier. They should never have had to go through such traumatizing things, but they did. The dog, despite missing one leg, seems to still have an amazing family, and life, and so does the soldier, despite having being through whatever hardship he had endured.God bless this dog, this soldier and all their friends and loved ones. <3 (if you do not believe in God but believe in another being, or none at all, I still say this soldier, his friends and loved ones, as well as this dog and her/his friends and loved ones deserved to be blessed.)

[creamy_melon]

I'm not crying, my eyes are just sweating.

[greekatso]

Thanks for serving Julian, beautiful Belgian Malinois. A law needs to be passed to stop viewing military dogs as equipment, they put their life on the line just as the soldiers do. They deserve better.

[hannahnacamuli]

at 2:56 I was actually really shocked when he said this fact which had never even crossed my mind. I had always viewed animals in the military as soldiers themselves. True, they may not even know that their fighting for a certain country but what we do know is that they are fighting for the survival of their comrades. I have respect for animals in the military like I have respect for the men and women in the military.

[hayykkae]

I love this video, the only thing that broke my heart was when he was sitting there at the door excited his master was coming in then they just walked right past him. He is like wait here I am! ! Lol. . I'm sure they do everything in line all the time. My dog owns me I don't own him. Lol

[williamcharles]

This vet salutes Layka. A fine soldier she is. Thank you to all who played a part in saving this fine animal. She deserves a family and the sense of being a part of it. That's the least that one could do, but the most is adopting and loving her as you have done. Thanks and a salute to you, also.