For seven months, Lance Corporal Andrew Harmon says he worked side by side in Afghanistan with a Labrador named Rebel.
When returning from his tour of duty a couple of years ago, Harmon says, “I just prayed a lot for the dog. I was like, ‘God, I hope one day I get to see him again.”
Harmon told WYFF, “His dog-handling position was one he never expected when he enrolled in the Marine Corps, but it was his ticket overseas.” Harmon was thrilled the day he got paired with Rebel, since he had a lab just like him at home.
It was a perfect match. Harmon says they spent every moment together—“sleeping, eating and working in tandem.” The duo spent seven months in Afghanistan, Harmon’s first tour and Rebel’s second or third.
Rebel protected troops from several bombs, while the duo went in search of IED’s. But the dog suffered a blow to the head from an explosion, and as a result experienced strokes and had to be sent home. Rebel was officially retired and found a new home in North Carolina, until Harmon says one day his prayers were answered.
The new owner contacted Harmon after a tumor on Rebel’s knee required surgery that she couldn’t afford. The loyal pair was finally reunited and Harmon says it was “just indescribable, almost like when I had my daughter or when I got married… something like that.”
Rebel is reportedly very comfortable in his new home with Harmon’s wife, one-year-old daughter and Labradoodle. Harmon says the two are still helping each other out, now with the effects of post combat stress.
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