The Emoji Movie Inspired Dog Names

Military bomb-sniffing dog Alex, a German Shepherd, and his handler, Alec Alcoser are both heroes in the eyes as well as the hearts of everyone who knows them. In fact, the Army recognized them as heroes as well. In August of 2018, Army Specialist Alec Alcoser was walking down a narrow street by Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan just after dawn when a young Afghan came toward them. When some Afghan and Czech soldiers moved in between them to conduct a search, Alcoser called his dog back while reaching to get a cigarette. 

All of a sudden, there was a bright flash, and Alcoser went down with multiple shrapnel injuries, and a firefight ensued, but Alex stayed by Alcoser’s side the whole time. The dog made a yelping sound but did not move away or fall and did not seem to be hurt. He did not even bark or growl, in fact, Alcoser believes he was probably in shock. However, come to find out, Alex had bad enough injuries that he ended up having to have his left rear leg amputated. 

At the hospital, Alcoser was treated for broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, and multiple cuts and abrasions. Alex was taken to an animal hospital to be treated while Alcoser was taken back to the United States and they were briefly reunited for a Purple Heart ceremony in early September before being separated again while Alcoser was in therapy at the hospital. 

However, the two furever furiends wanted to be reunited for good, and it took some time and talking to the right people to get this done. After being together 24 hours a day, seven days a week for almost a year in Afghanistan, Alex and Alcoser became very close, sleeping together and spending every minute with only each other. The Army had to be convinced to let Alcoser take Alex because they were worried about both of their injuries making it more difficult for them both to recover. 

Since Alex lost his leg, he was retired from duty with the Army and Alcoser and his pooch are on a new mission; joint physical therapy. Because Alcoser still has shrapnel in about 30% of his lower body, has had multiple broken bones, and a brain injury, he has to go to therapy almost every day to learn how to walk again. And Alex does aqua therapy, using underwater exercises to learn to walk with his injury and loss of his leg. But the two furever furiends are back together for good this time.