Does your dog like to dig in the dirt? Mine does, but not once has she unearthed a treasure hiding beneath the soil.
Tom always knew his golden retriever, Smuckers, had an affinity for digging in the yard, but 10 years ago she made a shocking discovery in the process.
Much to Tom's surprise, Smuckers dug up a Purple Heart medal given by the U.S. Military to honor soldiers wounded in actual combat.
Tom and his friend Steve decided to launch themselves into an investigation to reunite the metal with its proper owner. They scoured the phonebook, they searched high and low for any information. However, a decade went by and the medal sat in Tom's office. He lost hope that he'd ever find the person who earned the prestigious Purple Heart.
After hearing about a program called Purple Hearts United, Tom and Steve immediately contacted them. Captain Zachariah Fike came out to Tom and Smuckers' home to get some news coverage. Miraculously, within minutes after the story aired, Tom got the call he'd been waiting years to receive. Leatra Plick is the daughter of the serviceman the medal was awarded to — Cpl. Richmond Litman, a veteran in the Korean war. Tom was ecstatic to finally return the medal to Leatra and her family, all thanks to his amazing pup. Smuckers is now hailed a hero, and Cpl. Litman's family were happy to meet the dog who changed their lives.
“It’s like I’m holding a piece of my dad," said Leatra. “It all comes together.”
Next time my dog digs around in the dirt, I'll make sure to pay closer attention! Please SHARE this wonderful story with your friends on Facebook!
