U.S. Air Force, Senior Airman Nick Martucci was unexpectedly transferred to Osan Air Base in South Korea, where he was partnered with a new K9 named Remco, who others noted was weird and unsociable. The timing for the two of them could not have been worse as COVID lockdowns kept Martucci confined in his room for endless months. He was allowed to bring Remco back to his room to train on a very limited schedule. The limited training sessions became almost constant and the two of the formed an incredibly strong bond. That amazing bond stood the test of time when his deployment was over and he had to leave Remco behind.
"The story about a bond that is healing and can’t be broken and one that we can all appreciate," said Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. "Remco saved this former military member, and we made it our mission to save him so he could live out his retirement reunited with Martucci.”
When Martucci entered the military at the age of 18, he had a passion for dogs and was interested in being assigned to the program that worked with them. He applied to and was accepted into the program and eventually got stationed in South Korea, where he met Remco. As a Belgian Malinois working military dog, others found him weird and unsociable, but Martucci saw him as a challenge and took it on.
Being paired with Remco, he was able to work with him in a professional capacity and bond with him in a meaningful way. Where they were stationed, Remco was allowed to stay with Martucci, giving them a chance to live together for nearly a year. During this time, they quickly bonded, and Remco received the training that helped him become a disciplined working dog. It was also during the time of COVID, and Martucci fell into a severe depression. Remco provided the emotional support that helped him through that difficult period.
When Martucci’s deployment was over, he had to leave Remco behind, but he couldn’t forget about their bond. Once home and working for the Brookhaven Lab Police in Suffolk County, New York, he continued to inquire about Remco for five years. Finally, it was time for the working dog to retire, and he was facing euthanasia. That's when Martucci stepped in and contacted Paws of War to see if they could bring the two of them together again for good.
Paws of War is no stranger to pulling off complex missions such as this, so they immediately went to work. Paws of War sent Martucci and one of their members to see if Remco would remember him the same fond way he remembered Remco. During the five years apart, Remco had struggled to work with new handlers, and many even avoided working with him. When Martucci entered the training yard in South Korea and Remco walked out, there was a lot of trepidation. That all disappeared as Remco ran to him and into his arms.
Immediately, Paws of War made a plan and got the details all worked out, bringing Remco to the U.S., where he was reunited with Martucci and would live out the rest of his days being cared for and loved by the man he had saved five years before. The reunion was a retirement celebration, complete with food and even a special dog-friendly cake for Remco.
“It was five long years without Remco, but it was worth the wait,” said Martucci. "I'm so grateful to Paws of War for getting him to me. Our bond remains strong, and I feel like this is how it was meant to be. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!"
Paws of War is providing Remco with lifetime medical care at no cost to Nick. They are asking for your support for Remco, and their mission to reunite k9 handlers with the dogs they worked with and love. https://pawsofwar.org/?form=Remco
Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in a variety of ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large, loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org. Paws of War remains committed to its mission of saving livesboth human and caninethrough powerful reunions and unwavering support for veterans.
