Fallen GI's military dog starts new life

Fallen GI's military dog starts new life
Story Highlights
Bo, a 2-year-old black Labrador was wounded by roadside bomb February 5
His handler, Staff Sgt. Donald Tabb, 29, died in the attack
Bo is trained to clear roadways and find explosives and bomb-making materials
Tabb's brother, Willie, fought back tears Friday as he officially received the dog




From Jim Barnett CNN Pentagon Producer



LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia (CNN) -- Bo, a 2-year-old black Labrador and specialized search dog, has good reason to be wagging his tail.

Willie Smith fought back tears Friday as he officially received Bo, a military working dog wounded in Iraq.

The military working canine officially hung up his war leash at a moving ceremony Friday and retired to the good life in Georgia after being wounded in a roadside bombing that killed his handler in Afghanistan two months ago.

Staff Sgt. Donald Tabb, 29, serving his fourth deployment with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, died February 5, when his vehicle was hit by the roadside bomb. Bo, who was trained to clear roadways, find explosives and bomb-making materials, survived and has been adopted by Tabb's family.

Willie Smith, Tabb's brother, fought back tears Friday as he officially received the dog.

"I just want to say, having Bo means a great deal to myself and my family," he said.

"Mr. Smith, today you've agreed to take Bo into your home to be part of your family," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Timmins, kennel master with the 6th Military Police Detachment.

"You're not just receiving a pet today. Bo is an outstanding soldier, and he served his country with distinction." Watch a report on Bo »
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http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/04/18/dog.adoption/index.html