Emotional farewell for cancer-stricken military labrador before he is put to sleep

A 10-year-old labrador who served in Afghanistan has been given a hero’s farewell before he was put to sleep after being diagnosed with bone cancer.

Black labrador Cena, who worked as a bomb sniffer for the Marines until he retired in 2014, was given a military funeral in Michigan just days after his owner Lance Corporal Jeff DeYoung completed a bucket list for his beloved pet.

The pair were paired up in 2009 and 2010 while on a tour of Afghanistan, keeping each other warm during cold desert nights.

Mr DeYoung said he had carried Cena across rivers and thrown his body over him while under heavy fire from the Taliban, while the dog was his comfort after he lost seven friends in just three weeks.

After their retirement, Mr DeYoung adopted Cena who helped him deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

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In a tearful farewell Cena was given a full military funeral, carried on his owner’s shoulders.

Following the ceremony, the dog was put to sleep and Mr DeYoung then tearfully carried his casket, which was covered by an American flag.

He said: “My whole adult life I’ve had Cena. When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I’m 27 and I’m having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.”