Dog Names Ending in li

Once overseas, Eli met his new handler, Marine Pfc. Colton Rusk. The two were immediately inseparable. Military dogs are supposed to sleep in a kennel at the end of the night but Eli often stayed with Rusk, breaking the rules in order to give his handler a little comfort. Eli even shared Rusk's food rather than eating his own dog food!  Every time Rusk would call his family, all he talked about was Eli, something Rusk's parents loved as they knew their son was in good company despite being in a war zone. 

Despite the love that Rusk and Eli found for each other, the two were still in a war zone, actively on duty searching for bombs and living in dangerous enemy territory. Unfortunately, Rusk was shot one day when a Marine convoy ran over an explosive and enemy soldiers came to secure the area. The first to reach Rusk's body was Eli who went into defense mode and wouldn't let anyone near his handler, even biting a fellow marine. 

While Rusk did die after the attack, Eli was unharmed and was actually cleared to continue duty. However, Rusk's parents put in a petition to adopt Eli and bring home a piece of their late son's life. Because only one other adoption like this had ever been approved, Rusk's parents did not know if they would be able to get Eli. Yet, it was meant to be! The adoption was approved and Eli was flown back from Afghanistan to meet his new owners.

When Eli met his late handler's parents and his soon to be new family, he was elated. Eli's tail was wagging and he couldn't stop sniffing the new people in his life. While a Marine Sergeant tried to get Eli to sit, the highly trained dog couldn't - he was too excited! While the Rusk family lost their son in one of the worst ways possible, they now have Eli to help fill that hole in their life. Eli can rest easy now as his working days are over.