K-9 Honors

Military Working Dog Teams

National Monument

San Antonio, Texas

On this Memorial Day 2019, I want to honor not only those who bravely serve the United States but K-9 dogs who bravely train to go into battle as well. 

Military Working Dogs (MWD) are trained in a unique manner - far from basic behavioral training as a pet and even service training for individuals in need.  Military Working Dogs are, as service dogs, deemed to be "a non-lethal option for neutralizing a threat." (Go Army)

Typical tasks a Working Dog is trained for include -
- Patrol Drug Detector
- Patrol Explosive Detector
- Health and Welfare Searches
- Law and Order Operations
- VIP Support
- Customs Support

Handlers go through 17 weeks of advanced training to work with an MWD.  Full details can be found here.

The history of dogs for military purposes dates to B.C. eras.  In the United States, dogs for military purposes date to the Seminole Wars and the Civil War.  Hounds were used to "protect, send messages, and guard prisoners." (Wikipedia)

Sergeant Stubby, a Bull Terrier or Boston Terrier, was the most decorated war dog in World War I.  He learned to warn of poison gas attacks, locate wounded soldiers in no man's land, and when to duck for cover. (Wikipedia)

Chips, a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky mix, was the most decorated war dog in World War II - receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. (Wikipedia)

Roughly 5,000 U.S. war dogs served in the Vietnam War. (Wikipedia)

In 2011, the United States Navy SEALs sent Cairo, a Belgian Malinois, into Operation Neptune Spear, where Osama bin Laden was killed. (Wikipedia)

The use of dogs in warfare is not limited to United States assumption.  Allies and opposing countries also have a history with using dogs in warfare.  A full list can be found on Wikipedia.

Example photos of Military Working Dogs -

MWD wearing body armor

Escalation of force training

Afghanistan

K-9 Unit training

U.S. Naval Security

German Shepherd MWD

Wearing body armor

Clears a building in Afghanistan

Navy Master-at-arms

Firing blank ammunition

Condition the dog to sound

U.S. Navy handler with MWD

National War Dog Cemetery

Naval Base Guam

Paw Five Break

Dear readers and passersby,

I am taking a brief break from Bedtime Tails to catch my breath. 

Don't worry, though, because I hope to return next week.

In the meantime,
Paw Five!

His Buddy, Red

"What would I do without you, Red?"

This story began when  David Williams took his Pit Bull, Red, for a Saturday afternoon run in the local park one week ago.

"Come on, boy.  Time for our daily run," David called out as he grabbed Red's leash, iPod, and his apartment keys.

Red loved exercise time with his human dad, David.  He really liked the apartment he lived in with David, but Red was always filled with puppy energy and a one-bedroom apartment did not have enough space to keep up with him.  Daily runs were the highlight of his afternoons...

With his recently purchased iPod set to shuffle and Red's leash secured to his collar, David took to his run.  He always had the volume up because afternoons in the park were busy with food vendors, other joggers, children playing in the playground, and just overall eclectic energy that he preferred to ignore.  Although David worked from home, his schedule kept him just as busy and stressed as if he were on-site.  His daily afternoon runs were welcomed breaks.

Out of nowhere...

"Your money or your life."

David halted to a stop so fast that he nearly lost his balance.  Red began barking at a piercing pitch.

"I saw your iPod.  Your money or your life."

David's heart rate picked up, but he somehow calmly said,

"No."

"I said..."

"And I said no."

"Okay then..."

David awoke in a fog.  He sustained serious injuries that required intensive in-patient care.

"Where's Red?" he asked over his immense pain.

The nurse tending to his vitals hesitated her response.

"Um, your puppy was rushed to veterinary emergency care.  We were told that he is in surgery, but is expected to...Oh gosh, Mr. Williams."

"Don't tell me," David said as he gently cried himself back to sleep.

One week later...

Bark!

He was expected to be okay but...the injuries he needed emergency surgery for left him without use of his hind legs.  Red would forever be in a canine wheelchair but...He would be okay.  He saved his dad's life and that is all that mattered.

Bark!

"I know, Red, I know.  Physical therapy time."

The two had been released to come home with intensive physical therapy.  David, who was on crutches, helped Red as much as Red helped David.

The therapy was painful, but Red's puppy energy - despite his wheelchair - had come to fill the one-bedroom apartment with all the space he needed and was therefore able to help his dad.

Bark!

David lightly laughed and said,

"What would I do without you, Red?"

Her Girl, Amber

Amy looked forward to every summer break when she was in high school.  Where some went on vacation, some spent lazy days outdoors, and some worked part time to gain employment experience, Amy volunteered at the local humane society.

The condominium Amy and her family lived in did not allow dogs, so she always took special care of the puppies and older dogs waiting for their forever homes.

This summer break was rather bittersweet for Amy.  She was heading into her senior year and would be leaving the state for college after graduation.

"We are just so sad to see you go at the end of your break.  The pups especially will miss you."

"I'll miss you guys too, but I do still have one more week.  Don't get sentimental yet.  You'll make me cry."

A sorrowful bark could be heard from one of the kennels.

Amy instinctively knew the bark.

Amber was a one-year-old Poodle-Cocker Spaniel mix that had called Paw Five Humane Society home all summer.  This broke Amy's heart because Amber was always eager to please, playfully goofy, known to be good with children and other animals, and possessed a truly gentle soul.

"Amber, why do you sound so sad today?" Amy asked as she hooked a leash to Amber's collar.

"Come on, girl.  Let's go for our daily walk."

Their daily walk had the same destination - down the deserted side street and to a grassy hill overlooking a pond and new residential construction.  Amy always had a toy or two on hand and Amber always loved playtime.  Today seemed different though.

As Amy settled down, she tossed a favorite rope toy for Amber to chase and bring back.  Amber stared in the direction of the toy and then back at Amy.

"Amber, honey, don't you want to play?"

Amber looked deep into Amy's eyes.  Her little soul knew Amy would be leaving soon.  There was one trait about Amber that Amy would forever miss - her want of giving love to others.

"Okay, girl.  Come sit in my lap and I'll just pet you."

They sat on the grassy hill for what seemed like hours.  Amy spoke to Amber as though Amber could actually understand and respond.  She gently petted Amber and lightly rubbed her belly.  Amy had created a bond with Amber over the past summer months that was irreplaceable and permanent.  Amy often wished she could bring Amber home with her, but knew that a forever home was out there somewhere.

Amy glanced at her watch and realized that a couple of hours really had gone by.  She picked up the toys, took hold of the leash, and said,

"Come on girl, time to go."

When the two came back and Amy got Amber settled into her kennel with new food and water, Amy resumed other tasks.

At five o'clock, Amy said goodbye to the staff for the day and headed home.

The next day...

"Where's Amber?" Amy asked one of the staff members when she checked on the dogs in their kennels.

She didn't need to ask.  She knew.  Joan - the Paw Five Humane Society director - swelled with tears and said,

"She's been adopted."

"Oh."

Good tears.  Happy tears.  Amber finally found a forever home.  But Amber was Amy's girl.  You know what, Amy thought to herself.  Amber would always be in her heart and thoughts.  Amber would always be Amy's girl.