When US Army veteran Mike Monahan left Vietnam after finishing his tour of duty, he felt happy and sad at the same time. He was finally going home to his family after a horrifying experience in the war-torn country. But he also had to say goodbye to his partner Chico, a trained Army dog who joined him on his patrol.
Mike and the canine formed a special bond as they risked their lives daily. Chico was crucial to their missions as he would alert their entire team whenever they were crossing tripwires. The dog even saved his partner’s life one time.
So when Chico was needlessly euthanized when their team pulled out from Vietnam. Mike felt guilty for leaving him behind. Most of the army dogs never returned to the US.
Telling Chico’s story
Chico was a family pet who was surrendered to the US Army. He grew up in a home in North Carolina, but his owners said he was too aggressive. After going through extensive training, the dog was sent to Vietnam, and there he met Mike.
After working together and developing a bond, they had to separate because Mike had finished his tour. Years after carrying the guilt of leaving his furry friend behind, the Army veteran decided to write a book from the dog’s perspective. It was entitled “Chico’s Promise.” A portion of the book’s sales was donated to shelters.
50,000 dogs
Five decades after Chico died, Mike decided to honor his partner by saving a thousand dogs for every year of his anniversary. He will select multiple no-kill shelters and pay for the adoption fees of the dogs under their care. This will help them find their forever homes.
To augment the money he gets from his book sales, Mike also started an online fundraiser to get 35,000 dollars. He also talked with several organizations to help make his dream a reality. He may not have saved Chico, but he will make sure that his memory is honored.
Source: Chico’s Promise via Facebook
