Blue, an 11-year-old black Labrador retriever who saved the lives of countless soldiers in Afghanistan, is now living happily with a marine who promised to adopt her when she retired from life as a military dog.
Trained to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Blue accompanied her new guardian Byung “BK” Kang on over 300 combat missions from 2011 to 2012, while serving on a tour in the United States Marine Corps.
Blue discovered an IED on her first mission, and from that moment on, she gained the respect of all the grateful marines who could’ve lost their lives if the explosive wasn’t detected.
Indebted to Blue for saving his life time and again, Kang vowed to take care of Blue.
“I told her, ‘What you’ve done for me and my guys over here in Afghanistan, we cannot pay back,’” he said. “’So I’m going to give you a good home where you can cuddle all day, not worrying about going to war and finding bombs.’”

Blue is a well-deserved semi-finalist in the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards
Kang lost touch with Blue when the tour ended and she was reassigned, but when Blue retired in 2018, Kang’s wife and ex-marine Wendy tracked her down using her service contacts, arranging for their family to adopt the dog.
“I did everything in my power to make sure that we could get Blue home,” she told TODAY. “After all the stories I’ve heard, I know for sure Blue is one of the reasons why BK is standing here with me and he’s alive.”
After being warmly welcomed into the safety of the Kangs’ loving family home in Georgia, where she enjoys cuddles with the other residents – five dogs, two cats and two children – Blue recently experienced a health scare.
Thankfully, Blue is okay, but the experience prompted the Kangs to put her forward for the 2020 American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and the brave canine is now a semi-finalist in the military dogs category.
Great good for you and MANs’ BEST FRIEND.
Great good for you and MANs’ BEST FRIEND.
People who do these in humane things to precious Animals should spend the rest of their lives in prison
with NO chance of release!!! What EVIL ACTS!!’
People who do these in humane things to precious Animals should spend the rest of their lives in prison
with NO chance of release!!! What EVIL ACTS!!’
All the best Blue!
So happy that Blue is OK. She definitely deserves a wonderful retirement. I had a dog named Blue too and loved him. He was a blue Doberman. I spelled his name Bleu. I now have another rescued dog named Jetta, a black lab mix. I’ve rescued all my dogs and cats. I have one rescued cat named Buzz (his mother left him on my back porch) and a rescued parakeet named “Keet” who was found in a cage on the pavement of a busy street in Philly.. Go figure!!!
Thank you Blue for keeping our troops save. You are a hero many many times over and now we are so thankful that you can live your life filled with only the best of everything especially lots of love and the care you deserve.
BEST WISHES ALWAYS TO YOU BLUE AND THE KANGS……………..HAVE A WONDERFUL LIFE…………
All good people to save blue to home.
Who would do such a senseless act. They are dangerous and need to be locked up for a long time.
Such a sweet and loving story – thank you both for your service. The world needs more of you!! So glad the two of you were able to be together.
PERPETRATORS AND VIEWERS WHO ENJOY THE CRUEL VIDEO ARE PSYCHOPATHIC DELINQUENTS. THESE PEOPLE ARE A DANGER TO SOCIETY,THAT THE WORLD WOULD BE BETTER WITHOUT.
Soldiers Kang & Blue, Thank you both for your service, and grateful that both are home safe!!! God Bless You Both Always!!!
What a wonderful story. They didn’t give up till they could bring her home. Enjoy every moment Blue ♥
Agree.
Marine Kang, and others, thank you for your guarding us and keeping us safe. Also give an extra hug to Blue for the service provided also. Enjoy your time together.
Every military and police dog deserves a loving home when their service is over.
Good for you, Blue.
Have a wonderful retirement with BK and family <3
You've earned it
Awesome Blue the lab.. Hard work saving lives every day. She deserves a terrific retirement
This is what should happen to all the animals used by our country to save lives in war and peace!! Thank you very much for this!
Black Labs Matter
Enjoy your retirement Blue you’ve earned it. I hope you do well in the conpetition. 🐶🐕🐾
You can tell she is an old lady but will live out the last couple of years happy. This story shows there are nice people as well as wicked ones. Blue, have a great retirement you deserve it.
Wow, what an American Heroine for sure what a wonderful ending to a new beginning! Thank you!!!
Blue, you’re a wonderful doggy .A beautiful story of courage, dedication and love. Thank you for the post
Blue, you’re a wonderful doggy .A beautiful story of courage, dedication and love. Thank you for the post
Go Blue!!! You are amazing, congratulations on all your incredible accomplishments and for saving countless lives of our beloved soldiers and BK!! And, go BK and Wendy for not stopping until you tracked Blue down and brought her home, love you guys!! God bless you all!!
Wonderful! Some GOOD news! All the horrific stories are getting me down, so this is a bright spot in this weary world for me. Thanks! I hope Blue and her family have a long & happy life together. Good dog with good people.
GoBlue! I applaud your courageous career! I am t-h-r-i-l-l-e-d that you and the Kangs have made a loving family together. Let’s all pray that the US govt doesn’t change their mind about letting the Kang family keep you.
Belle histoire! Longue et belle vie à elle!
Wonderful, great story.
Awesome she can live her days out loved and cared for Thank you