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Posted:
Jun 19, 2015 8:07 PM EDT Updated:
Jun 19, 2015 8:44 PM EDT
Canvas and Russ Moseley were on the ground in Afghanistan when they suffered life-changing injuries from a bomb blast in 2011.
MINDEN, La. - She served with the U.S. Marines. She was injured on the battlefront, but served two more combat tours before coming home and being reunited with her partner.
But recently, she went downhill from her war wounds. And on Friday, a final tribute and an emotional goodbye for one that served, even if she wasn't human.
Behind the tough exterior of some former Marines, tender goodbyes for Canvas, the retired military canine who served our country in Afghanistan alongside our soldiers.
Canvas was the K-9 partner of Russ Moseley, who made the heart-wrenching decision to put her down because she can no longer walk.
"It's hard to let somebody go, especially for me and Canvas, what we've been through together," Moseley says.
Moseley lost a leg and suffered a traumatic brain injury four years ago in a bomb blast that he says Canvas tried to save him from.
"As I was walking toward those stairs, I saw her right out of the corner of my eye, and give me a signal that there was a bomb there. But by that time it was too late. I already had my foot on it," Moseley says.
Moseley came home from war. But Canvas did two more tours. Her wounds weren't diagnosed until after she was retired and reunited with Moseley.
On Friday Patriot Guard Riders rallied in Minden along with some members of the Louisiana State Police to lead Canvas on one last ride through Minden.
"She did serve with dignity and honor," said Patriot Guard Rider Lloyd Carter. "There's no telling how many lives, how much good she did during her time in the military. And this is kind of our way of saying thank you for your service."
"We're here to honor veterans and our four-legged veterans are just as important to us," added fellow Patriot Guard Rider Steve Crow.
The fire department also turned out with a truck flying a big American flag over the processional. So did some townspeople, waving flags to show support for Canvas and Moseley along the route, which ended at the family's veterinarian. Patriot Guard Riders held the colors as Moseley carried Canvas inside.
And then the wait.
Taps played as an American flag was folded by two members in the traditional triangular shape for a fallen service member. As the rest of the Guard stood at attention, other supporters linked arms or wiped tears. A young girl held a sign that read, "Thank you Canvas for your service."
The folded flag in honor of Canvas was presented to Moseley and his wife as they came out of the veterinarian's office, grieving the loss of a pet and loyal partner, but comforted by the show of support.
"I love it. I'm so happy that everybody came out in support of her," Moseley had said before the ride.
Moseley and Canvas had two years together after her war duty. He says she loved doing all the things Labradors loved to do, especially riding in his truck. Then severe arthritis set in a couple of weeks ago, compressing her spinal cord and taking away the use of her hind legs.
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