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CROWN POINT — Justin Gauthier was on combat patrol in Afghanistan when his night-vision goggles focused on the dog that would become his friend and protector.

In total darkness, the high-contrast image showed a lonely mixed-breed black Labrador looking back at him like she knew she'd found her master.

From then on, the hound didn't want to leave his side.

While Gauthier and his unit trod the dusty village streets of Mehtar Lam, the dog they named Nods followed them.

She slept with them in their quarters and waited for them when they weren't there.

With his deployment ending in a month, the last thing Gauthier wanted to do was leave Nods behind.

HEADED HOME
So Nods is bound for the United States in a travel crate, and Gauthier's mother, Pauline Foote of Crown Point, is picking her up at JFK International Airport today.

Gauthier, a U.S. Army National Guard specialist serving with the 178th Infantry at a U.S. patrol base in Afghanistan, will be reunited with Nods when he gets home.

FOLLOWED TROOPS
Interviewed by Internet instant messaging at their camp in Laghman Province, Gauthier described how he and his unit found Nods.

"We were on a dismounted combat patrol through Mehtar Lam city, and she followed us home. It was a night patrol, so we could barely see her the whole way, except with our night vision. Nods is short for Night Optical Device, which is why we call her Nods."

Gauthier said Nods was a very friendly dog, and they've grown to love her.

"She took to us with no hesitation. We gave her a bath, food and water that night. She was a great morale booster for the whole platoon.

"The end of the deployment is near, and everyone is thinking about home, so Nods really put everyone's mind at ease. We actually took her on missions with us."

Nods was a good watchdog, he said.

"She only barks at the Afghans. They (dogs) get treated badly here by them, so they tend to like us much better."

HEARTS STOLEN
Foote said, normally, combat troops are not allowed to have animals, "But Justin and his fellow soldiers could not ignore her sad eyes, and they were taken by her."

So Nods stayed.

"From that point on, she stole their hearts," Foote said. "She gave them love, loyalty and helped them take their minds temporarily away from the violence that was all around them outside those walls."

Foote said the soldiers' friends back home sent dog food, toys and bedding for Nods.

RAISING FUNDS
Once they'd bonded with the dog, her son and the others knew they couldn't leave her behind, Foote said.

"The men had heard that a unit from the Marine Corps serving in Afghanistan had adopted a dog and sent it home to the United States. So the mission of bringing Nods home began. Justin, having the biggest heart and love for animals, decided Nods was coming home (to Crown Point)."

But they had to raise money to send Nods here.

"The men all pitched in and came up with $600 to have Nods transported safely from out in the field to a organization called the Tigger House in the city of Kabul," Foote said.

Next, they paid the $2,500 needed to have Nods flown to JFK International Airport.

HOW TO HELP
An effort to collect money locally to pay for Nods's trip has raised about $162 so far, Foote said.

She said people can use the donation jars in area businesses or send contributions to: Bring Nods Home, c/o Spc. Justin Gauthier, Crown Point, NY 12928.

SAVED IN FIRE
Foote said that in December 2006, her son, a volunteer firefighter, rescued a dog from a house fire in Crown Point.

"He saved the family dog from the home. I am very proud of my son, who has dedicated his life to helping others and putting his life on the line for all of us. I can only hope that people can appreciate this in him and help him bring this dog home to a better life."

She said her son and his comrades faced death daily from firefights and wayside bombs using improvised explosive devices, but having Nods brightened their lives.

"I think it's amazing with all that was going on around them, running over IEDs, losing men in their unit, that Nods put a smile on their faces."

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com