They served together in unimaginable war conditions later being torn apart amidst chaos.
Saturday, a decorated war canine is reunited with his handler in Gretna after years of separation.
Former Army Sgt. Brad Mrsny got to see his best friend after being away from Paco the Belgian Malinois for more than three years.
Mrsny says Paco saved his life and countless soldiers in Afghanistan.
A war hero, in canine form, reunited with the handler who credits his life to the four-legged veteran.
"If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be standing here today,” Mrsny said. “I owe him my life and I owe him the honor to come home and give him a place to live and sleep for the rest of his life."
The war veteran and former canine handler for the U.S. Army, Mrsny, says he and Paco went through war zones together.
The Belgian Malinois saved lives by detecting roadside bombs.
"He had 33 positive IED identifications while we were over there that year,” Mrsny said. “We walked around a lot. There was only one road in and out."
Paco was hurt during the war and received the dog version of the Purple Heart, the “Purple Paw.”
Shrapnel in his side from a mortar round had the dog medevaced out of battle.
The two were apart since Mrsny returned home from Afghanistan in 2013.
Now, they have plenty of time to catch up.
"Next to having a child on the way, I'd say it's the best news I've gotten in my entire life," Mrsny said.
Lisa Phillips drove from Texas to deliver Paco to his owner.
She founded Gizmo's Gift to help reunite veterans with their war canines.
"To be a part of that, there's really no words,” Phillips said. “It makes your heart quicken and be filled with love."
Rambo, the combat Marine canine, who's been traveling with Paco, has to say goodbye to his friend, who begins a new life in Gretna.
