A tearful farewell was given to a dog suffering from cancer, who served three tours in Afghanistan with the US Marines. The goodbye took place in Michigan before the dog was euthanized.
On Wednesday, Cena, a black lab who was ten years old, was given a farewell befitting a hero. This was just a few days after his owner, Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung, fulfilled a bucket list for the terminally ill dog. The event took place in Muskegon, where hundreds of people turned up to bid Cena goodbye. The dog wore a decorated blue Marine vest during the event. The euthanasia took place at the USS LST 393 museum ship. DeYoung could not hold back his tears as he carried Cena’s body draped in a US flag.
On Wednesday in Michigan, United States Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung had to say goodbye to his beloved Black Lab, Cena, who was diagnosed with bone cancer just two weeks ago. With tearful eyes, DeYoung carried Cena to be euthanized, after the dog had served as a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until retiring in 2014.
In 2009 and 2010, while serving on a combat tour in Afghanistan, DeYoung, who was then 27 years old, was matched with a furry companion.
After retiring from service in 2014, DeYoung decided to adopt Cena as his service dog to assist him with his post-traumatic stress disorder. According to DeYoung, Cena has been an integral part of his life since he was 19 years old and learning to be responsible overseas. Now, at the age of 27, he feels heartbroken to bid farewell to one of the most significant aspects of his life.
According to DeYoung, he has helped CeNa by carrying him over rivers and shielding him from heavy gunfire during attacks from the Taliban. In return, CeNa provided warmth for DeYoung during cold desert nights and comforted him when he lost several friends in a span of three weeks.