Kate Mara stars as a Marine fighting to adopt her bomb-sniffing dog.
An upcoming film shows the unbreakable bond between a Marine and her beloved dog of war.
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Their heartwarming true story behind Megan Leavey's fight to adopt Rex is now being told in the movie Megan Leavey, starring Kate Mara in the lead role.
At the New York City premiere of the film at Yankee Stadium Monday night, the real-life Leavey beamed as she strutted down the red carpet.
"I’m overwhelmed," she told Inside Edition. "It is exciting for me and I’m taking it all in."
Leavey and her bomb-sniffing K-9 went on more than 100 missions together in Iraq between 2003 and 2006. They were inseparable.
They both nearly lost their lives while searching for explosives. Both underwent rehab and recovered.
When Leavey’s years of service came to an end, she wanted Rex to join her in her civilian life, but the military refused, saying the dog was still needed.
They were also concerned that the German shepherd was too dangerous to live in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Finally, the Marines relented.
Inside Edition was there in 2012 when Leavey was reunited with Rex at Camp Pendleton in California. There was even an official adoption ceremony.
Leavey returned to her home outside New York City, but sadly, Rex didn't have long to live. He died just eight months later.
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The premiere was a first for the ballpark, where Leavey posed with all the film's stars.
"I was just inspired by her story,” Mara told Inside Edition.
Edie Falco plays Leavey’s mother in the film.
"From my vantage point, it is about a woman and a dog and a woman who had a hard time connecting found her ability to connect through an animal,” the former Sopranos actress said.
Megan Leavey opens in theaters Friday.
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