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Megan Leavey
Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey with Sgt. Rex, a dog trained to detect explosives, contraband and bombs. The photo was taken in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006.
Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey gave a lot for her country, and so has her favorite comrade — Sgt. Rex.
The dog handler and the bomb-sniffing German shepherd Rex served together for more than three years and through two deployments until a roadside bomb blast in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006 took them out of commission. Leavey, now recovered and discharged from the Marines, is battling to adopt her old canine-in-arms.
"Rex is my partner; I love him," said Leavey, 28, who lives with her father in Rockport, New York, and works as a dog handler. "We have been through so much together … I’ve spent day and night with this dog. It’s a very strong bond."
But the dog's discharge has proved more complicated than her own. Leavey first applied to adopt Sgt. Rex as she was completing her Marine Corps service in 2007. She did all the paperwork, she said, but the military determined the dog had recovered completely and was still fit for work, and has continued up to now.
Sgt. Rex has become something of a celebrity along the way, featured in a 2011 book by his first handler, Mike Dowling, called "Sgt. Rex: The Unbreakable Bond between a Marine and his Military Working Dog."
But Leavey kept tabs on her old friend, receiving regular updates and pictures from personnel working at the kennels at Camp Pendleton, Calif. About a month ago, she said, they let her know that Sgt. Rex, now 10, had developed facial palsy, which was affecting his equilibrium.
"Now he is ready to be retired," said Leavey, who quickly filed her paperwork to adopt the dog.
But that determination — like most things in the military — is subject to some procedures.
"An official request for retirement has been submitted," said Matthew Stines, press officer for the Air Force, which has jurisdiction over the Military Working Dog Program, when reached on Friday. He said that action on that request is expected to take about two weeks.
Then the dog will be evaluated for "adoptability" at Camp Pendleton. If he is approved, the final determination for his release would then be made after consideration at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Stines said he did not know what would happen if the dog was determined to be unsuitable for adoption, nor how long these evaluations were expected to take, though he promised to look into it.
"(Rex) is just hanging out in his kennel," Leavey said. "I know the Marine Corp has other more important issues. But it’s important to me. And he deserves it."
Frustrated by the bureaucracy, Leavey has recruited a high-powered champion — Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who wrote to Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley to urge expeditious handling.
"Marine Corporal Leavey and Rex are true American heroes who saved countless American lives uncovering roadside bombs and booby traps in Iraq," Schumer said in a statement issued Friday. "I’m strongly urging the Air Force to do the right thing, cross the T’s and dot the I’s so that Rex gets the home he deserves, and Corporal Leavey can be reunited with her faithful companion."
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Oh for gosh sakes. If there is a will there is a way. Please get these two back together! Nice story.
Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey and Sgt. Rex need to be together...
Who are these punks behind red tape? Betcha they have never served....
I have more respect for a dog that's served his country, earned a title of SGT., than these red tape folks...
Hooah...
Agreed. Not to mention, who knows how many lives were saved by this dog, and he should have been retired by 8 years of age, so he could enjoy his life, and should have not been retired at his age, due to a disease. The thing that makes us human is compassion. Without it, we are just psychopathic apes with big brains.
I whole heartedly agree that Cpl. Leavey should get to adopt Sgt. Rex and it appears from the story like that will probably happen. I really do not know why this is a story. Anyone who has eve had any contact with the military, and even a lot of people who haven't, know that the military, like any large organization, has it's procedures. This whole article really sounds like nothing more than some ex-soldier whining because things are taking a little longer than she would like. I see no indication in the article that anyone is trying to stop her from adopting the dog. Whining to a congressman and wasting a lot of senior people's time having to respond to congressional inquires because things are not moving fast enough for you seems a little childish. Act like an adult and let the process take it's course. Many times when you start whining over things not moving as fast as you like you will find that people will find reasons to intentionally slow them down even further to teach you a lesson and get even with you for causing them the headaches of inquiries from congressional staffers. These inquires from staffers are a royal pain in the ass to have to respond to and take you away from actually getting your work done. They may even find some reason to rule the dog unadoptable because your making waves pissed people off. Often the best bet dealing with a bureaucracy is to just let the wheels turn at their pace so long as things are headed the direction you want and just wait it out. Unless the time is getting unreasonably long for no god reason, bitching about rarely helps and often hurts.
There isn't always a way if there is a will. I know. I had a large will to adopt two children more than I have now from foster care, but I could not adopt more than one that I raised. Sometimes life isn't fair, and sometimes it really stinks. You can say she deserves it, and it is true, but that doesn't mean it will happen.
GOD BLESS this Marine and her dog!!!! After all the "BS++" they shared... they should be together......
NO RED TAPE...let these 2 VETERANS be reunited!!!!!
The dog is 10 years old confined to a kennel. Large dogs like this rarely live past 12 or 13 under normal circumstances. People need to get off their lazy government fed overpaid asses and and make this happen within a few days. If merit were a consideration for bring employed, most government workers would be out of work. You are clearly a union fed dummy.
Under normal circumstances, it sounds as if this dog is no longer suitable for adoption, what with having facial palsy and being fairly old. But since there's a home ready and waiting for him, which in itself is probably unusual for an animal in this condition, I don't see any reason to deny it. A 2-week wait doesn't seem overly bureaucratic to me.
JS SD
It's a story because it beats the crap out of having to read so much political and religious crapthat is being published now a days. and if she wants for what ever reason she wants she can write her congressman, thats why he is there. Your post was a waste of my time reading it.
I'm not one to rush to tears ... but this brought a couple! With enough exposure ... I think and hope the proper thing happens here ... and I hope there's a follow up story!
DocHolliday-2979123
The Federal government of course. Open your eyes, you're wrapped up in the same red tape along with all of the rest of us.
Megan leavy & Rex,
I personally want to thank you both for your service..........WOOF !!
Give her the dog!!!!
How heartwarming.
Fer cryin' out loud, he's TEN years old! What are they going to do, use him as a doorstop?
Dogs ok, should not have no woman in my military any way. She needs to go home and take care of a family and get a good chuch tike civilized people should. This is just one of the reasons the nation is becoming so weak. Men standing on the street corner with signs and women taking their rightful place as soldiers. What the hell is wrong with you people?
I'm dumbfounded that a Demcratic Congressman has the nerve to do something honorable. It's like the world has just turned upside-down.
Here's hoping that the dog gets to be with his BFF.
Let those two proud Americans be together. What ever the red tape thingy is going on and by whom is shameful. The dog needs to go to her and now while there is still time on the clock for the dog. Give her the dog.
Determine eligibility???10 years old! its only luck the dog is still alive, what do you need? give him up he deserves a retirement, only has a few years left in him at best. why waste time on red tape, that dog has already paid more dues then 90% of the human population in this country. I'll help you out Air Force this is how you do it you put the leash on the dog and you hand it to the woman and say he is yours end of red tape end of story. and the dog deserves free medical for the remainder of his life.
@D Buck-2239568
I assumed what they mean by this is determine whether he has been, shall we say, "damaged" by the high stress of his job and the traumatic event that resulted in injury to him and his master. Perhaps dogs like this aren't always able to reintegrate into a normal life around people. I would assume dogs are subject to PTS just like people.
I have never agreed with Chuck Schumer's position on anything. But with hat in hand, I graciously say to him, "Pull every string you have and get this soldier her dog ASAP!!!!!!"
She's a dog handler and I'm sure she can and would willingly deal with any problems Sgt. Rex might have.
As is said, GET IT DONE AND GET IT DONE NOW.
This just shows the general stupidity and inability to apply common sense that seems to define most of those in the military (and for those blaming the fed govt bureaucracy, the article clearly says this is in the domain of the air force, so it is THAT particular branch of the fed govt). Let the woman and her dog be together after all they've done for the country.
Gadfly: It's very lucky then that America has managed to survive so long being protected by the generally stupid and those lacking common sense.
They deserve to be together. Get'er done
Marine Corporal Leavey and Rex have dedicated their lives and sacrificed SO MUCH for us. They deserve to be together and enjoy the rest of their lives together. Rex and Corporal Leavey have a bond & connection; they are family and MUST be together.
If Rex were a child, it would be looked at differently. Wouldn't a "child" deserve to be with it's "mother"?
This administration picks and chooses which "Red Tape" to obey and ignore. For Heaven's sake!! Do what is right...or don't they know what is morally right!!!
Amen....both courageous warriors should be together!
It's a process. They'll be reunited in time. She should reach out to all the organizations that work on specifically these scenarios.
What a true story of devotion and stupid bureacracy...we have so many American military that make the ultimate sacrifice for our country and their superiors don't have a damn sense of decency or morals to do what is proper!
Please unite dog and soldier!
Terri, she is a Marine, not a soldier. Soldiers are in the Army.
Well ... whatever, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine ... Bring this Airwolf and Marine back together again please. Oh and MSN ... could you please keep us posted on this story?
This is so typical - ridiculous. Reunite these two immediately and screw your red tape!
For God's sake the dog deserves to live out his life with someone who loves him. GIVE THE GIRL THE DOG!!!!!!
this could of been done so much easier. reminds me of my divorce so much paperwork, those laid it on the line and they both believed. get the chick the pup and live in peace. close this one now.flush the paperwork, crate and ship the pup.
Megan & Rex Thank you both for your service..... Here is hoping that you get to spend many enjoyable days together.....Just remember the sqeaky wheel gets thing done, do not let up the pressure..... GOOD LUCK...
Sometimes if thewheel is too squeaky it is discarded and replaced . . .
In life there is no greater bond among humans than that between a Mother and her Children!
There is no greater bond between animals and humans than that between a Canine and the Canines Handler.
Cpl. Leavey did not choose Sgt. Rex, Sgt. Rex chose Cpl. Leavy and they should be together.
The U.S.M.C. needs to expedite the transfer of this Canine, that is no longer fit for duty, to the Marine that he chose to Serve and Protect!
If you want to see how the other military dogs from the branches get adopted out after their service is completed, log onto this web site or friend it on facebook. The red tape is not just in the USMC. Some of these canine heroes are not even allowed to fly on military aircraft after they retire, so that they may return to the states for adoption. Sadly they are euthanized.
What website?
Military Working Dogs Adoptions dot com. You can facebook it as well.
Thanks Steve, been there (website) and has been on FB. Good reminder, as disgusting as it is.
I remember spending every day and night with an M1A2 Abrams Tank. We really bonded, but we were not allowed to reunite either after my discharge from the U.S. Army, not because of red tape, but because she was dismantled for spare parts and then scrapped for recycling. I did buy a Coke the other day and I am pretty sure the can was made of her as I recognized a hint of her sweet scent of gear oil. I now sleep with her, but when people ask about seeing her, I just tell them that she is in the can.
FU A*hole
You're a real idiot. There always seems to be one, to make a complete fool out of himself!
Is that an attempt at humor?
I'll be generous. nah. f off!
There's always one in every crowd. So today you're it -- Tanks for the Memories -- the man with no soul! Look no farther folks, we found him!
Tanks, LMFAO, that was good. Tanks for the story.
You idiot. I hope they recycle you.
Posters like Tanks simply need to be ignored. They are not interested in constructive discourse, but are akin to petulant children throwing a tantrum for attention. They want to see how many people they can rile up and probably giggle everytime someone posts in kind.
Just ignore their provocative, mean spirited posts. With no attention forthcoming, they'll most likely fade away.
Sen. Charles Schumer,
Thank you for stepping up and shaking the cage door. A letter from a Senator will get this done ASAP. The last thing the Marines need is a Senator urging them to do the right thing, because that's what Marines are known for, . . .
"Doing the right thing"....
One word from the brass on top, Sgt Rex will be with Cpl. Megan Leavey the next day.
Get it done! Pencil pushers and paper managers can screw anything up. Lets hope they don't screw this one up!
Have faith in the human factor - - they will screw it up.
Cpl. Leavey and Sgt. Rex need to be together. I am sure that Senator Charles Schumer will get on this. The love between a dog and his owner is unbreakable. Only people who have ever loved a dog can fully understand this. So., let's go, Sen. Schumer........keep up the good work. Remember DOG backwards is GOD.
ya twit!! god spelled backard is DOG.....AND oh by the way! there is NO GOD....only fairy tales that will never live up to the love of a good DOG!!
The soldier and dog are a team.Do not break the team.No one gets left behind!Get the discharge papers in order
reunite both soldiers pronto!They both served our country with honor.
I started a petition but got only few signatures so I went on line to the White House page and wrote a message to President Obama. Everyone can do it.....so easy and with any luck, someone may tell him about it. I wrote him a long letter a couple of years ago concerning the health care reform and he wrote me back. I was giving him my two cents, like he needed it....well ; he evidently is on top of things and considering how busy he is, it is pretty cool. After all , being the Commander-in-Chief, he has the authority to release the dog....with just one phone call. I am hoping.....and keeping my fingers crossed.
Wow! Shumer did the right thing!
Malia and Sasha Obama, get your Dad on this. Get Sgt.Rex and Marine Megan Leary back together again. They belong together. Goodluck Megan and thanks for your service.
I doubt the girls are reading this, but to have President Obama interfere sounds great. The poor dog will not live through all that stupid red tape. They have the audacity to make sure he is adoptable....come on.....he is going back with his handler. How cruel can government be. When they need you, they certainly know how to use you then they discard you like yesterday's trash.
Obama can't. He's busy planning his much needed vacation. (again)
It’s not “big government” red tape that’s the hold up. It’s military red tape. I know they have to certify any battlefield dog as adoptable if it’s going into some sort of “adopt-a-dog pool” but Sgt. Rex would be going to an ex-marine who already has a connection. Come on, Marines, cut that tape and let her have the dog. He’s already about 70 in dog years!
Everyone stop crying for the dog to be released. It's still busy searching for all those WMD's!
Obviously you didn't read the article. The dog has facial palsy and does not work anymore. Ten in a dogs life is a long time. Release him NOW so he has some quality time left. He deserves it. He HAS served his country. A dog is man's (woman's) best friend.
Gay Pride keeps me ARMY Strong!
THANK GOODNESS we're talking about the MARINES and NOT the army paul.
Another idiot pops up to show his true colors!
This soldier and her dog should be together. The dog should not suffer because of red tape. Come on, Marine Corps, take a few minutes and process the paper work. Show some respect for your vets, human and canine. This dog deserves a loving home as a reward for service to the united states, and this marine deserves the honor of caring for this dog. Humans live longer than dogs, so each day of delay in seeing that this dog has a worthy life in old age is much more cruel than it would be for a human.
Cruelty has nothing to do with this. The armed forces have always been sticklers for red tape.
Jack, show some respect and say give the Marine back her dog.
Will be surprised if she gets the dog. The military just see's them as tools just like our men and women in combat. Disposable cannon fodder.
It seems to me that Both the Cpl and the Sgt served their country with Honnor and Destinction. If the Sgt is to be retired then it only seems fit to allow the Cpl to adopt. There would be no better place for him to be for the rest of his life after the decitated service they both gave to their country, to each other and the hundreds of Marines they helped keep alive. General Amos if you are reading this, I know the man you are, step in and do what is right in this case. I know you have allot on your plate, you always do, but it never stopped you in the past to do what's right reguardless of what it was. I remember, I always will. Semper Fi GYSGT Davis SR USMC Retired
This is a great opportunity for some good publicity AND a chance to do the only right thing - let them be together!
Get the girl back with the dog, they both deserve to be together. I understand they need to evaluate the average military working dog for "suitibility for adoption", but seriously, they are not going to be hooking Sgt. Rex up with a total stranger. He already knows his person, they have worked together and are a team. Of course they are suited to one another. Ten years old for a working dog is very old. Let him be with someone who loves him for whatever time they can have together. It's the right thing to do.