I’ve done some design work for a group dedicated to the memory of Vietnam war dogs left behind after the US campaign there ended. It’s good to know this no longer happens – for the sake of both the dogs and their handlers;
Rose and Iron are one of about 200 canine teams deployed in Iraq, where the bond between soldiers and their dogs is so deep that some handlers have asked to be buried with their canine partners if they are killed together.
On frigid winter nights in the Iraqi desert, Rose shares his cot and sometimes his sleeping bag with Iron to keep him warm. In the scorching summer heat, he makes sure Iron has enough water before taking his own share. If the heat is too much for Iron, who has a thick coat of glossy black fur, Rose lets him rest, no matter what the platoon leader might want.
Whenever he goes on a mission, Rose tucks a copy of an ode to police and military dogs into his front pocket. It reads in part: “Trust in me, my friend, for I am your comrade. I will protect you with my last breath. When all others have left you and the loneliness of the night closes in, I will be at your side.”
[…]
Last July, Cpl. Kory D. Wiens, 20, and his Labrador retriever, Cooper, became the first soldier-dog team killed since Vietnam. They were buried side by side in Wiens’ hometown of Dallas, Ore.
Update – More on the soldier – canine bond here.
There is no greater love then that shown by a dog to their master. It knows no bounds,is forgiving,asks for nothing in return. Maybe that is why some of us try to achieve the greatness that is a dog’s love.
made my eyes well up
Kate- you are probably familiar with the “Rainbow Bridge” pet memorial. Perhaps some others are not.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
Here’s a good story from last Christmas:
Toby Walne, As the British Army pulls out of Iraq, meet the 22 canine corps who will remain
Dogs were used in the Great War to carry messages between the trenches but it wasn’t until the Second World War that they received official recognition for their valiant work when the Dickin Medal – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross – was introduced.
So far, 62 animals have received the highly regarded medal for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty”, but 54 of these were for acts of bravery during or soon after the Second World War. The roll of honour is 26 dogs, 32 pigeons, three horses and a cat called Simon…
I was thinking about the story on my way to work today, and arrived at the following conclusions. As long as the human is even a minimally good owner to his or her dog, the dog will give the human total and unquestioning loyalty. This can be a double edged sword, since people have basically three ways to respond to being given such loyalty:
1)Socialist – they feel uncomfortable about it – they think that such a relationship is demeaning to the dog and they think that they are therefor some sort of slave owner or dictator;
2) Sociopath – they feed off it and exploit it, without understanding how to reciprocate; or
3) Soldier – they understand that such loyalty is equal parts gift and burden. While they did not have to do much to earn the loyalty (dogs being such trusting creatures), they know that they have to do much (at least from a doggy perspective) to be worthy of it. All soldiers and other types of leaders understand that the more another person looks to you for their own welfare, the more you have to do to ensure that welfare – and that doing it right is in itself a great rush, better than anything the Sociopath will experience from his raw domination or exploitation of others. There is nothing better than to lead well and to know that you have done so. The only difference is that good soldiers tend to be skeptical, so you have to earn their trust initially, whereas dogs will give it freely unless you un-earn it.
John Donovan’s place devotes more than your average amount of attention to the service of furry, four-legged soldiers. Here’s one post that contains a pile of links to dog-soldier tributes.
Must be dusty in here… my eyes are starting to water.
I have two dogs. I’ll bawl like a baby when I lose either of ’em. I can’t imagine how wrenching an experience it would be to lose one you owed your life to.
“Lord, please help me to be half the person my dog thinks I am.”
Truly a Conservative site. It loves dogs. The Rainbow Bridge triggered an old allergy and made my eyes and nose run.
Thanks Kate & All,
Pat
Bless you, Kate- long ago and so very far away, I was a Schutzhund handler…