When a K9 handler and police officer left for work, he followed his regular routine, a hug and kisses for his wife, and told her he loved her. That was the last time Mary Beth Eslary would hear those words from him.
Mary Beth's husband, Lt. Eric Eslary, a 17-year veteran of the Ligonier Township Police Department in Penn., a loving husband and father of six, died when his police SUV was hit head on by a drunk driver. Lt. Eslary's K9 partner, a German Shepherd named Blek, was also in the vehicle and although he suffered traumatic injuries, he fulfilled his duties as man's best friend, and refused to leave his partner's side, according to Penn Live.
Blek was finally convinced to leave Eslary and went immediately to the veterinarian for life saving surgery, according to WPXI. When he arrived home, it was evident to all that Lt. Eslary wasn't coming home. His wife missed her husband, her children missed their dad and Blek missed his partner.
"It was a big comfort to know Blek's here and I had at least a part of Eric back with me," Mary Beth said. "And he's glad to be home, too."
"It's an honor to now take care of Blek for Eric," Mary Beth continued, according to Little Things. "I need him. The kids need him. We need him as a family."
As a tribute to her late husband, Mary Beth and Blek did an incredibly poignant photo shoot tribute that will warm your heart to see the story of an amazing man, Lt. Eric Eslary, and the love his family, including his partner, Blek.
