Nubs was born as a stray dog in Iraq, where life was difficult and dangerous. In October 2007, he met Maj. Brian Dennis, and within moments, an unforgettable friendship began.
At the border fort where Dennis was stationed, many stray dogs searched for food. The dogs had also become unofficial protectors of the fort, barking whenever unfamiliar people came near.
When Dennis first met Nubs, the dog immediately rolled onto his back, asking for a belly rub, before happily playing with him. Dennis soon realized that the entire team had grown attached to the friendly dog.
Nubs received his nickname because his ears had been cut off, something commonly associated with dog fighting. One day, while Dennis was away on patrol, he found Nubs badly injured. He learned that an Iraqi soldier had attacked the dog after becoming angry with him, stabbing him with a large screwdriver.
Dennis brought the wounded dog inside and cared for him until he recovered.
Some time later, Dennis received orders to move to another fort roughly 75 miles away. Since American service members were not permitted to keep pets, Dennis knew he had no choice but to leave Nubs behind.
As the convoy departed, Nubs chased after them until the vehicles disappeared from sight.
But the story did not end there.
Several days later, Dennis was inside the headquarters at his new fort when a Marine rushed in and told him that someone was waiting outside to see him. Dennis assumed he meant a person.
Then he discovered the visitor was Nubs.
Dennis immediately ran outside. The moment Nubs saw him, the dog became overwhelmed with excitement, jumping around and celebrating his reunion with the man he loved.
Dennis could hardly believe what had happened. Somehow, Nubs had traveled approximately 75 miles on foot to find him.
No one knew exactly how the determined dog had managed to make the journey.
Although keeping pets was against military rules, Dennis and the other Marines built a small doghouse for Nubs and allowed him to stay with them.
Unfortunately, their arrangement did not last. A complaint eventually reached senior command, and Dennis was ordered to remove Nubs from the fort.
This time, however, Dennis refused to simply say goodbye.
He knew Nubs had already shown him an extraordinary kind of loyalty, and now it was his turn to return that loyalty.
With help from friends and supporters, Dennis began raising the money needed to transport Nubs to the United States. People from both Iraq and the U.S. offered their support, helping make it possible for the two friends to finally be together again.
Nubs eventually made it home, where he became a beloved member of Dennis’ family.
Years passed, and the dog who had once survived as a stray in Iraq spent the rest of his life surrounded by people who loved him.
Nubs passed away in 2018 at around 12 years old after battling hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease for more than a year.
Following his beloved companion’s death, Dennis reflected on the incredible journey they had shared.
He remembered Nubs as a loyal friend, a patient and devoted companion, and almost like a sibling to his two young sons. After more than a decade together and countless experiences around the world, Nubs had become a deeply loved member of the family.
Dennis said Nubs had lived a long and remarkable life and was finally resting among the sand dunes of Padre Island, with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.
In his farewell, Dennis thanked Nubs for changing his family’s life.
He remembered how the determined dog had once risen from the dirt and walked countless miles simply because he wanted to find his friend.
That incredible journey became a lasting symbol of loyalty, courage and friendship.
Nubs may be gone, but his story continues to remind people around the world how powerful the bond between a dog and his human can be.
