Please Save Duke

When Army Specialist Arton enlisted in the military, he had a long-term goal of becoming a paramedic. He believed the Army would give him the leadership skills to help him lead a team of first responders one day. He never thought the first and possibly most crucial rescue mission he may ever make would be for a dog he bonded with and named Duke. Stationed in Southeast Europe, he has done his best to keep Duke safe and wants desperately to get him to safety in the U.S. where he will give him a loving forever home far away from the abuse he has endured.

“Helping with emergency medical rescue came early to Spc. Arton,” Dereck Cartright, a disabled veteran who is the stateside logistics coordinator at Paws of War. “He didn't hesitate to help Duke, and we are not hesitating to help him with his mission of getting him to safety in the U.S.”

When Duke first started coming around, where Spc. Arton is stationed the abused pup was frightened. The dog was visibly injured, scared, and wouldn't get close enough to check him out. He was also hungry, and after a few days of coming around smelling food, he was ready to try trusting someone. That someone was Spc. Arton, who was more than willing to earn his trust, offering him food and kindness.

Once Duke allowed him to pet him, Spc. Arton would see that he was wounded and needed medical assistance. He reached out to Paws of War for help, and we immediately went into action to get Duke emergency medical care. After the exam with the veterinarian, it was clear that Duke had lived a life filled with abuse and neglect. He also had an infected injury around his neck, where a rope had been dug into his skin. He required immediate surgery to address the wound, setting him up for a lengthy recovery period.

With the injuries being addressed, we are now working to relocate Duke to Kentucky, Spc. Arton's home state. In doing so, we will encounter significant expenses involved in the medical care and transporting of Duke. We are seeking financial assistance from the public to help make this a successful relocation.

All contributions are appreciated in helping this soldier with his first emergency medical rescue mission.