Paw Five Break

Dear readers and passersby,

I once again need to take a breather. 

I recently launched an online business and all of my focus is on promotion and getting customers.

I will keep posting to Bedtime Tails, but sadly not as often. 

I love Bedtime Tails so much and will not let you - my readers and passersby - down.  I ask only that you bear with me.

Paw Five always,
Lauren

Bedtime Tails Special - Top 5 Favorite Reads

Dear readers and passersby,

In this Bedtime Tails special, I thought I would offer my top 5 favorite puppy love tales.

As always,

Paw five!

Scottie Christmas 

A Boxer's Story

Prince Pembroke

The Pug Who Could Fly

Saluki - A History

Saluki - A History

Every Friday, the sixth-grade class at Clark Middle School got to choose their history lesson for the day.

On one special Friday, the Clark Middle School History teacher - Ms. Jones - brought her newly adopted Saluki dog to class.  At the time, the class was learning about Ancient History and the Saluki breed offers an extensive background.  The students were eager to learn more about Ms. Jones's dog and so chose her Saluki dog as the Friday history lesson.

Saluki - A History

The Saluki's pure-bred origins began in the Fertile Crescent - the Middle Eastern region comprised of modern-day Iraq, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, the southeastern edge of Turkey, and the western edge of Iran - as far back as 6,000 to 7,000 B.C.E.  Images of the Saluki are etched into pottery, wall carvings, book illustrations, and tombs as well as mention in poetry.  Saluki-like dogs can also be traced to the Ming Dynasty in China via the Silk Road trading route from ancient Iran to China.

The King of Bahrain was known for traveling the Arab world with his Saluki pack on hunting trips during the 1930s.  The Saluki as a pure-bred dog is registered with the Kennel Club of Bahrain.

Saluki prominence in Europe dates to the 1920s - specifically Germnay, the Netherlands, and Sweden.  After World War I, Salukis became increasingly popular in the West.  In 1923, the breed was registered in the UK Kennel Club.  In 1929, the breed was registered with the American Kennel Club.  In 1927, the Saluki Club of America was founded.

"The Saluki is independent and requires gentle and patient training.  The Saluki is not one for fetching activity.  As a natural hunting dog by sight rather than by scent, the Saluki is known for chasing moving objects such as cats, birds, and other animals...even bugs!  The Guinness Book of Records lists the Saluki as the fastest dog at over 42 miles per hour..."

On that note, the bell rang.

The History class was the last for the students on this Friday and they thoroughly enjoyed their lesson...and of course their teacher's pet.

Chow Annie

She was a beautiful dog - Chow Chow/German Shepherd mix.  She had the temperament of her age at only one year old - playful and loving.  The shelter named her Annie.  A sweet name for a sweet pup.  Paige fell in love at first sight and they goofed around while her mom filled out the adoption forms.

Annie was the first dog Paige ever owned.  She was not entirely sure how to care for a dog beyond food and water.  She knew about daily walks - but how often?  She knew about playtime - but indoors or outdoors?  Paige and her mom had basic necessities ready for Annie and the shelter kindly offered a leash and toys as part of the adoption process.  So now what?

Over the next couple of days, Annie got used to her new home and Paige got used to her new pet.  They went on afternoon walks for exercise and potty breaks.  They played in the park across the street from Paige's home.  They even met a neighbor with his dog.  Paige was so happy to have Annie in her life.  Annie was happy to have a forever home, except...

Annie could sense that Paige was a new dog owner.  How?  Paige could not understand why Annie would not go for her daily walk and potty break in rainy weather.  Annie did not like rain at all and became frustrated when Paige became frustrated.  When they spent time at home, the atmosphere felt lonely while Annie played with her favorite indoor toy and Paige sadly could not help but wonder if she was meant for Annie.

On one warm, sunny Saturday afternoon, Paige shared her concerns with her mom who - knowing her daughter as well as she did - agreed.  Paige's mom called the shelter Annie was brought home from to let them know her forever home was not meant to be.  They were sorry but understood.

Paige was too emotional to go with her mom to bring Annie back to the shelter.  Before they left, Annie leaned into Paige's body to calm her.  In Annie's own way, she let Paige know she understood and would remember her always.

"She will be okay, sweetheart," said Paige's mom as bravely as possible.  

"I know," Paige said as she petted Annie one last time.

And they left.

Chow Annie

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?"