On Saturday, September 2, 2017, local Chinese villagers gathered to celebrate a folk festival parade known as “Dog carrying Day” in Jiaobang village, Gedong Town, Jianhe county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou province. (Photo by Imaginechina/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

The 27th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade was held on October 21, 2017. Thousands of costumed canines and spectators marched on Tompkins Square Park to participate in the countrys largest Halloween. (Photo by Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Disabled dogs outfitted with wheelchairs walk at an animal rescue center on July 12, 2008 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. The center has adopted over 100 stray dogs and cats from quake-struck areas. Those who were hurt or disabled are outfitted with a cart to help support they're body and make them mobile. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

A Yorkshire Terrier has it's hair done on a grooming table on Day one of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC Arena on March 8, 2012 in Birmingham, England. During the annual four-day competition nearly 22,000 dogs and their owners will compete in a variety of categories, ultimately seeking the coveted prize of “Best In Show”. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

On the streets of Kunming, Yunnan Province, you can find odd couple – a dog and a cat who sits on his four-legged companion. They are Vantsay and Mimi. The owner of animals, a 42-year-old retired policeman Xu Jin is surprised with so strong friendship. “When I got the dog, and I began to take her for a walk, the cat became plaintive, – says the man. – So I bought a leash and began to take her too. Soon, however, the cat began to tire and quickly realized that it is much easier to ride on the back of a dog. ”