Dogs are beautiful, loyal, and compassionate creatures. Mike Monahan from Cinncinati, Ohio, probably knows that better than anyone else.

More than half a century ago, Monahan was on duty in Vietnam War, and he met a four-legged furry hero named Chico.

Little did Mike know that Chico would save his life and end up sparking a lifelong mission in Monahan’s life.

When the war ended, Mr. Monahan came back home, and he couldn’t bring Chico with him. Brave doggie was one of more than 4,000 other military working dogs who were either euthanized or abandoned after the war. However, Mike never forgot his pal, and he made a promise to rescue one thousand dogs for every year that has passed since he said goodbye to Chico. It’s been 50 years. Keep reading because Monahan’s been keeping his promise wholeheartedly.

Chico’s original owner lived in South Dakota, and he gave away the dog to the US Army.

The military then trained this German shepherd to alert the team to tripwires.

Thousands of dogs were recruited from American homes during the Vietnam War. The US military trained K9s to guard the troops, sniff out traps, and alert the team to various types of danger.

Those adorable puppies raised morale on the bases too.

“It was really a committed relationship between Chico and me for a whole year, and on top of that, he saved my life,” explains Monahan.

Chico was Mike’s best friend, partner, and companion.

In 1973, the United States pulled out of Vietnam, and working military dogs were handed over to the South Vietnamese military or put down.

Mike Monahan has never gotten over it. Mike was young when he was drafted into the Army, and his first job was feeding the dogs. When they first met, Chico bit Mike, and they held a grudge against each other for a while.

As faith would have it, the officer assigned Chico to be Monahan’s partner, and the two began spending more time together.

Chico’s ability to smell tripwires and other humans nearby saved soldiers’ lives more than once.

Mike and Chico were an excellent team. At one point, they were pronounced to be the best team. Mike earned an Army Medal of Commendation, and Chico got a steak.

Because Monahan went back home before the end of the war, the Army passed Chico to another handler.

Later, when the war had finally ended, Monahan tried to find out what happened to Chico. Some of his colleagues told him that they had to put the dog down. They said Chico was too aggressive.

Monahan then decided to tell Chico’s story so that the public can learn more about the sacrifices of military dogs.

Mr. Monahan wrote four books about his time in the war, but the special one, “Chico’s Promise,” is still waiting to be released.

“My dream is that millions of people will read Chico’s story, fall in love with him, become inspired, and join forces to improve the treatment of dogs by eliminating abuse and abandonment. If Chico were alive today, I know he would make that promise,” says Mike. With the help and support of public donations, Monahan will release Chico’s story in June 2021.

We can’t wait to read a tale of such an incredible dog. Mike has been waiting for the moment for fifty years, and it is good that he finally gets to keep his promise.

With a lofty fundraising goal in mind, Mike plans to save 50,000 dogs by collaborating with no-kill shelters and paying adoption fees.

The ultimate goal is to save a thousand dogs every year since Chico was put down. “I want to save dogs in his memory, I want him to be a national hero. He deserves it,” explained Mike.

If you’re interested in contributing to Mike’s fundraiser and finding out more about Chico and Mike’s story, click here.

Chico and his pals deserve to be remembered forever.

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Source: WCPO; Kickstarter; Californianewstimes; VietnamVeteranNews