Army Specialist Landon Gnade couldn’t stop smiling as he waited to reunite with his best friend, Lepo, a dog he rescued while serving in Kosovo.
I’m so excited. I haven’t seen him since October. I thought I’d have to say goodbye to him forever, Gnade said.
Gary Baumann from the organization Paws of War shared the excitement: We’re taking Lepo to see Landon!”
While stationed in Kosovo, Gnade found Lepo, a tiny puppy among a group of strays near his camp. But Lepo stood out.
He’s the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen, Gnade said. Nobody was paying attention to him, so I went over, gave him some love, and he loved it. We just bonded right away.
That bond brought them to this special reunion.
He’s such a chill, relaxed dog, Gnade said. Having him around really helped me while I was far from home.
Gnade explained that being away from loved ones can be tough, and while he formed bonds with fellow soldiers, the connection he had with Lepo was unique. “There’s nothing like the bond between a man and his dog,” he said.
When Gnade returned to the U.S., he thought he’d never see Lepo again. But then he learned about Paws of War, an organization that helps soldiers bring home the animals they rescue overseas. Gnade reached out, and they began the challenging process of bringing Lepo to America.
It’s not easy, Baumann explained. We often work in war-torn areas. Sometimes, we have to travel 15 hours just to find a qualified vet for the animals.
But the hard work paid off. Lepo was flown from Kosovo to New York, and now he’s on his way to his new home with Gnade—just in time for the holidays.
He’s going to love it, Gnade said. We have a big farm with horses, goats, and three other dogs. He’ll have so much space to run and play.
Paws of War often rescues animals in dangerous situations, making reunions like this even more meaningful. For Gnade and Lepo, it’s a happy ending and the start of a new chapter together.