Monday, May 31, 2010

On this Memorial Day - please take time to honor our DOGS of WAR

Please take the time this Memorial Day to remember our dogs of war.

In all previous wars we brought home our highly trained military dogs to retire with their handler or to continue to serve EXCEPT for Vietnam. When our military was ordered out of Nam our dogs were tied to camp poles and left to watch the soldiers they loved and protected walk away and not look back. Those dogs were considered to be excess baggage.


What happened to those dogs? Most starved to death - used for target practice by the Viet Cong or skinned alive and eaten by the Viet Cong who considered them to be a delicacy. Rumor has it that those who weren't tied or confined, ran behind the planes leaving with the troops they loved so dearly or waited patiently beneath helicopters for their orders which never came; and then, when they were completely exhausted, went back to their last camp and held vigil, patiently, for their handler to come back. (If you would like to learn more, click on the War Dog graphic. It will take you to a very sobering site.)


Out of 3,000 Viet Nam era war dogs, about 200 came home.

This Memorial Day let us remember fallen soldiers who lived, and died, for our country and for the soldier at the other end of the leash.

Dogs do not have the option of enlisting in the military. Yet, after they are chosen and trained, they stand next to their handler willing to give their life - without question. When a war dog locates a bomb, or a large cache of weapons and explosives, or even deters an attack, it isn't considered to be out of the ordinary. It isn’t covered on the news, you won’t see it in the newspapers, and chances are you will never know about it. However, the handlers, know. The Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Seamen who had their lives saved by one of these loyal and highly intelligent canine soldiers know. The war dogs also know they did well and usually receive a special meal at the end of a long day.
This blog entry is dedicated to the military dog teams of our great country. Please say an extra prayer and remember not just the dog teams that have given their lives but all dog teams worldwide who continue to be on the front lines. God bless and keep them all.


Please visit the United States War Dogs K-9 Wall of Honor. You are here because you love dogs. You will leave those pages deeply affected.

A Working Dog
GOD SUMMONED A BEAST FROM THE FIELD...

And he said, Behold man, created in my image. Therefore adore him
You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks,
watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go;
even unto civilization.
You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave. To do these things,
God said, I endow you with these instincts uncommon
to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion, and understanding
surpassing those of man himself.
Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death.
Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to faults of man. Lest it
impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.
Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of man with
any other beast; or even man with man. Speak to your master only
with your mind and through your honest eyes.
Walk by his side: sleep in his doorway: forage for him, ward
off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions;
love him and comfort him.
And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants-
which shall be only food, shelter and affection.
So be silent, and be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils
along the way to the land that I have promised him.
This shall be your destiny and your immortality.
So spoke the Lord. And the dog heard and was content.
(Anonymous)



God bless America
God bless our troops
It is the 
VETERAN,
 not the preacher, 
 who has given us freedom of religion. 

It is
the VETERAN,
 not the reporter,
  who has given us freedom of the press.

It is
the VETERAN,
 not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
   
It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is
the VETERAN,
 not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is
the VETERAN,
 not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
 

National Canine Cancer Foundation

28 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Oh yes!

Paweome post!

I see some of my Belgian pals amongst the pikhs too!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie

koko said...

That's a wonderful tribute to war dogs... thanks for the post and links. Have a great holiday weekend.

Licks, hero

Sierra Rose said...

Amazing post. Wonderful photos. The K-9 Wall of Honor link left us with big tears, yet so proud!
Blessings.

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Unknown said...

Thanks for this touching post. We never knew what happened to them.. But those dogs, they were the best.

Maxmom said...

Very sad, very real, very touching and a very fitting tribute!
Sending lotsaluv to you all
MAXMOM IN SA

Molly the Airedale said...

What an awesome post and a wonderful tribute to the war dogs!
Happy Memorial day!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

Wonderful post. Very sad, but important. Hope you're having a good Memorial Day.

wags, Lola

D.K. Wall said...

I had the honor of meeting a Marine one night who worked with a dog. The intensity of feeling he had for his partner was obvious, because that partner had saved his life more than once.

houndstooth said...

Great tribute! Have you read the recent kids' book about the soldier who brought a dog home from the Middle East? It's a great story!

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Brilliant way to honor our K9 friends. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Jake of Florida said...

Thank you for this touching message. Here at home, dogs are often the unsung heroes of daily life, helping those who are not at war, but simply in need of that soothing presence. But then, there are the dogs of war who take their unique abilities even further and give their all.

Thedogs of war do deserve to be remembered today along with all those men and women who have given their lives for our country over the years.

Wirey love,

Jake and Just Harry

♥I am Holly♥ said...

This is a wonderful post. God Bless America. God Bless our Troops and God Bless their Dogs and our dogs too. That is so sad about the dogs left behind in Vietnam...very sad. Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

NanaNor's said...

Thank you for reminding us of these dearly loved dogs who have served our military so loyally.
It was a sobering reminder for sure.
Have a safe day.
Noreen & Reggie-dog

3 doxies said...

This was just beautiful and so very touching. It is so sad that these animals are forgotten.
I went to the site but I was wondering if you know of a way to send the MWD mail.
Allison (Puddles Mum).

The Oceanside Animals said...

Poor dogs. "Excess baggage" indeed.

Ms. ~K said...

Great post....not all heroes walk on 2 feet!!!
~K

Sagira said...

Great post!

Piappies World said...

What a great tribute to the brave pups who so unconditionally gave themselves in the service of peace. Thank you for sharing this with us.


-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & the Piappies

JacksDad said...

Thank you for sharing this often overlooked story!

Mrs. JP said...

Thank you for this memorial.

little princess Luna~ said...

thank you for this beautiful post~!!

xo,
luna

Two French Bulldogs said...

What a great post honoring our furry friends
Benny & Lily

Life With Dogs said...

Now this was the best dog holiday post I've seen today - there was so much of this I'd not seen. Superb!

Taffy said...

What a wonderful post. I am definitely going to check out that link. Thanks so much for the info. Our troops are amazing....human or canine.
Snuggles,
twix

Sunny,Scooter, (sometimes Jamie) said...

Our first visit here. A wonderful post. (And the way the dogs of Viet Nam were treated makes me sick to this day,) We remember them all, Human and Canine. If you go by our blog you will see a badge on the sidebar "We support Canine's Veteran's day" If you click on it, it will take you to more information. Thought you might be interested.
We plan on coming back, though it is so hard to get to so many blogs and get things done, isn't it? We try to do our best. Thanks for the post. Great one.
Jamie & the Texas sundogs Sunny&Scooter

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Mimi
I say this with pug tears running down my face- thank you for speaking out and saying this- because you are right - these stories must be shared and peoples must know,,,,,,
and as I go pray for these war doggies, I also want to
go pray for PEACE
Help us GOD in the sky
HELP US- and BLESS THE DOGGIES
PLEASE
love
tweedles

MySpecialDoggies said...

Thank you for a touching post. Sending prayers for all of our human and K9 veterans,
Nadine, Apples & Neeli

ocmist said...

We had never heard of this and neither had Grammy! She is very torn up and sad after learning about this, and doesn't see how that could have happened! They are just as much MIA as some of the soldiers that were left behind, and should be honored as such. It was good to hear that they are receiving some of the honor that they deserved. Thank you for sharing so that we, too, can raise a paw in thanks for these heroic animals. The CCC