A Louisiana town recently rallied around two local war veterans -- and one of them was a beautiful black lab.

Sgt. Canvas served in Afghanistan with former U.S. Marine Cpl. Russ Moseley until he lost one of his legs to a roadside bomb. But she came home with Moseley, who received a Purple Heart for his service.

A few years after they returned home, Canvas developed a severe spinal cord condition after she was diagnosed with arthritis.

Russ Moseley via KSLA
Russ Moseley via KSLA
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"It happened really fast,” Moseley told KSLA in Shreveport. “She went from being very chipper and very happy to just being down all the time. One night we went to sleep and woke up and she could barely lift her rear end."

Then the time came for Russ to decide to end Canvas' suffering, but it didn't happen without an entire town coming to lend support.

Hundreds of well-wishers, veterans Patriot Guard Riders and first responders flocked to downtown Minden, La., last week for a final ride for Canvas as she rode next to Russ to Buffington Veterinary Clinic, where Russ said his final goodbye.

Taps was played and a U.S. Flag was folded and given to Russ in Canvas' honor.

Canvas was trained to sniff out 70 different kinds of bombs while serving overseas. She attempted to keep Russ from the bomb that took his leg, but it was too late.

"As I was walking towards those stairs I saw her run out of the corner of my eye and give me a signal that there was a bomb there but by then it was too late. I already had my foot on an IED. She tried to save me," Moseley said.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Russ and his family, and thank you both for your service and sacrifice to our country. Sgt. Canvas was a true hero.

Minden, La., Rallies Around Veteran + His Military Dog

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