Soldier and Military Dog Share an Unforgettable Reunion After Receiving Purple Hearts

Six months into his deployment to Afghanistan, Spc. Alec Alcoser grabbed his dog’s leash and left the barracks. It was a mission day, and Alcoser and his partner, a German Shepherd named Alex, were reporting to duty. They’d been working together for months and already had a close bond. They slept in the same bed, enjoyed their free time together, and always had each other’s backs. On that day their friendship was put to the ultimate test. Rounding a street corner, Alcoser and Alex saw a local Afghan walking toward them. The next thing they knew, there was nothing but pain and confusion. Alcoser and Alex were hit by the suicide bomber’s blast at close range. The explosion initiated a firefight, and the soldier and his dog were caught in the middle. Seriously injured, Alcoser could do nothing but wait for it to end. Through it all, his dog never left his side. The attack killed Afghan and Czech soldiers and left both Alcoser and Alex with traumatic injuries. Alcoser had multiple broken bones, including his arms and legs, and was hit by shrapnel on 30 percent of his body. Doctors also reported he suffered from a mild brain injury. Recovering was his new priority, but there was someone...