U.S. Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung wanted to give Cena, his black Labrador battle buddy, farewell ceremony fit for a Marine. The dog kept him warm during cold nights in Afghanistan and helped him cope with pain back home in America.
The veteran believed it was only proper to say his goodbyes with the utmost care because Cena was so much more to him than just a dog. After retiring from service in 2014 as a bomb-sniffer for the Marines, the cancer-stricken canine was trained to assist Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung.