I know it's been a while since I've blogged but life is kind of crazy
right now. However, I did read this story in the paper and it brought
tears so I wanted to share it in case anyone else hasn't read it.
Marine Sgt. Ross Gundlach developed a special bond with his
bomb-sniffing partner Casey while deployed in Afghanistan. A bond so
strong that Gundlach made a promise to do whatever it took to find her
if they both made it out of Afghanistan alive. That promise was
fulfilled when Gundlach and Casey were reunited almost a year since
they’d last seen each other.
Gundlach and Casey faced more than 150 missions together while
deployed in Afghanistan. Casey, a bomb-sniffing Labrador retriever,
would search for improvised explosive devices with Gundlach by her side.
They became much more than just partners though, and Gundlach knew he
wanted Casey to be part of his life even after they finished their
deployment.
“About midway through, I told her if we made it out alive I’d do
whatever it took to find her,” said Gundlach. “I owe her. I want to take
care of her…I’ll just try to give her the best life she can have from
here on out.”
Gundlach kept his word. The two were separated on June 3, 2012. Casey
went to serve in the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office and Gundlach went
on to school at the University of Wisconsin. When Gundlach finally
tracked Casey down he wrote to the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office
explaining his special bond with Casey. For two months he kept sending
pictures and demonstrating his desire to get Casey back.
State Fire Marshal Director Reynolds knew he wanted to reunite the
two. Reynolds contacted the Iowa Elks Association and they agreed to
donate $8,500 so the agency could replace Casey and allow her to go home
with Gundlach. Then Reynolds planned a surprise reunion for Gundlach
and Casey.
This week Gundlach traveled to Iowa believing he would have to go
before government officials and argue his case to adopt Casey. When
Gundlach arrived he was told his meeting had been delayed and Reynolds
asked him to come down to the rotunda for an Armed Services Day
celebration while he waited. The actual celebration waiting there though
was for Gundlach and Casey. Hundreds of people who were in on the
secret waited as Casey was brought out and the emotional reunion that
Gundlach had been hoping for came true.
Casey was officially retired from her service with the State Fire
Marshal’s Office and now gets to go home with the Marine who has
promised to give her the best life she can have.
