Mónika, the Afghan stray dog has a new master. As a puppy, in 2010 she joined a Hungarian military patrol in Afghanistan. The soldiers took the friendly and faithful dog with them to the camp, where the Hungarian and American troops kept her as “watchdog and soulmate” for years. The dog was “discharged” this June, and a great many people volunteered to adopt her, so it was really difficult to choose the suitable candidate from among the numerous dog-lovers.

Over the years, Mónika proved to be a quite useful comrade. By night she kept watch continuously and did not let any unauthorized persons enter the camp. Through her amiable behavior, she contributed to raising the morale too. She has got used to her environment so much so that she only answers to Hungarian word, and, as she has spent the last few years with the contingent, she is more attached to soldiers and remains rather distrustful of civilians. The soldiers also came to like their four-legged companion, so much so that they did not left her to her fate on the homecoming either, and made sure that she can travel with them to Hungary.

Under medical supervision, Mónika arrived at Pápa aboard a C–17 transport aircraft in June, where she needed immediate medical attention. The otherwise healthy and strongly constituted dog got worn down by the climate change and the environment that is different from home. As she was completely dehydrated, she had to be given infusion for two days, and her handler, SSgt. Zsolt Vecsei fed her liver paste with eggs every day.

While Mónika was convalescing in the compulsory two-month quarantine, receiving professional care from the K9 staff of Pápa, PV2 József Magony was selected from among countless applicants as the most suitable master. The airman serving with the HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base has been a dog breeder for 10-12 years now. He was chosen because in his home, Mónika will certainly find a stable, true dog-friendly environment, where she can live with other dogs like her, and thanks to her new master, she does not need to forgo the soldiers’ company either.

József Magony first met Mónika on Friday, August 30, and the dog spent the evening in her new family at Rákóczifalva. During an improvised press briefing, PV2 Magony said that he expected some initial discord, but he was sure that his dogs would soon accept the latest member of the pack. He added that Mónika is used to the company of soldiers, so he might as well take her to a staff meeting.

(Dániel Kovács)