My Friendly Pets

This isn’t a political entry. There will be no pro-war/anti-war debate; no discussions of WMD; no arguments about when or when not to pull out of Iraq. No, this is an entry about the unsung heros of the war. I believe that while some people feel strongly either way about the war in Iraq, there are very few people who don’t support the troops for their efforts to do as instructed by their country.

Included in our support of the troops should be our support for 2000 dogs who serve beside our military personnel. Because of their strong sense of smell, these dogs prove to be a valuable asset in detecting explosives and other dangers, depending on what they were trained to find. This is dangerous work, and most of the military dogs are currently serving in the Middle East where there is constant exposure to all types of dangers, from roadside bombings to heat and dust related injuries and ailments.

The dog pictured above is Bruno and his trainer and fellow soldier Marine Sgt. Adam Cann. Sgt. Cann was killed only days after this photo was taken taken. Cann confronted the bomber who was on a sucide bomb mission and took the blast which saved the lives of Bruno, Marine Cpl. Brenday Poelaert, another dog trainer and his dog Flapoor.

These dogs are so highly valued that when they are hurt, they are cared for extremely well and receive much of the same care as a wounded human soldier. There are doggy field kits for dogs injured in the “battlefield” and there are also veterinary centers where the dogs will be taken for additional treatment. They may even be sent back home for rehabilitation, and depending on the nature of their injurines and their recupperation, they could be sent back to the front to serve again.

The dogs are rigorously trained and much of that basic training takes place at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas. They are trained to tolerate the loud sounds of gunfire, to sniff out explosives and to attack on command. It costs about $25,000 and 6 months of training to buy, feed and train the average dog. The dogs get two physicals a year that include blood tests, x-rays and electrocardiograms. If a dog breaks a tooth or has another dental issue, there are veterinary dentists who will help with fillings or root canals if needed.

Of course a strong bond builds between the dog and their handler/partner. For many soldiers, it is difficult to have to separate from their dog. In 2000, a law was passed that will allow the dogs to be adopted by their handlers, police departments and even families if the dog is placid enough to be considered a home pet. Rex, a German shepard was riding in a humvee with Tech Sgt. Jamie Dana, when a bomb blew the door of the vehicle. Rex suffered little more than a burned nose, but Dana was severely injured. Once recovered, she couldn’t go back into the military, but she sorely missed her friend Rex. Friends and relatives petitioned Congress, and even though Rex was healthy and strong and could still be an asset to the military, Dana was given special permission to officially adopt him, which she promptly did. Now both Dana and Rex spend their time at a farm in Pennsylvania where they are close to family.

Dogs in the military are nothing new. They were used in both World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. However, the care and treatment of these animals has significantly increased. They now will be medically treated as opposed to being euthanized. While they receive no formal military honors, many are honored privately by their units and commanding officers.

Our pride and support of these four-legged soldiers should be nothing short of what we give our human soldiers. They truly are heros we can look up to.

For views on both sides of the political landscape, look to the left and look to the right!!!!