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Family gets OK to adopt Marine son’s canine partner
By Gina Spadafori
December 13, 2007
This one just makes me happy, to see that sometimes common sense and heart can overcome the rules. From the Associated Press:
Marine Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee and his German shepherd, Lex, scoured Iraq for roadside bombs together, slept next to each other and even posed in Santa hats for a holiday photo.
When a mortar attack killed the 20-year-old Marine in Fallujah a few months later, Lex, whimpering from his own injuries, had to be pulled away, Lee’s father was told.
That strong bond compelled the slain Marine’s family to adopt 8-year-old Lex even though the military said he still had two years of service.
The family lobbied the military for months, launched an Internet petition and enlisted the aid of a North Carolina congressman who took their case straight to the Marine Corps’ top general.
On Wednesday, the Marine Corps finally announced Lex could go home to Lee’s family. It is the first time the military has granted a dog early retirement to be adopted by someone other than a former handler.
“We knew that’s what Dustin would have wanted out of this,” said Jerome Lee, the slain Marine’s father. “He knew that we would take care of Lex and love him, just like our own.”
Here’s the rest, including a picture of Lex.
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Bless ALL of those who made this happen for handsome Lex!
Comment by Nadine L. — December 13, 2007 @ 10:24 am
This is wonderful - for the parents who lost their son to at least now have their son’s best friend living under their roof.
I share Nadine L’s comment: “Bless ALL of those who made this happen for handsome Lex!”
Comment by Lynn — December 13, 2007 @ 10:55 am
A beautiful story. My heart goes out to the family of the young man. So glad their son’s best friend will be coming home to them.
Comment by Carol — December 13, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
Touching story and am so glad for the family. Although a poor substitution for their son, who should not have been killed there in the first place.
Forgive me being so cynical, comes with old age(>60) but it was probably decided more for PR reasons than out of consideration for the family.
Hence the nine months dilly dallyng.
Comment by Serijna — December 13, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
What a great story. Lex will have a nice Christmas with the family. Too bad their son can’t be there in physical presence also.
Comment by VJ — December 13, 2007 @ 5:12 pm