Always Faithful
A memoir of the marine dogs of WWII
Author: William Putney, Copyright @ 2003
As a twenty-three-year-old veterinarian, William W. Putney joined the Marine Corps at the height of World War II. He commanded the Third Dog Platoon during the battle for Guam and later served as chief veterinarian and commanding officer of the War Dog Training School, where he helped train former pets for war in the Pacific. After the war, he fought successfully to have USMC war dogs returned to their civilian owners.
Always Faithful is Putney’s celebration of the four-legged soldiers that he both commanded and followed. It is a tale of immense courage as well as of incredible sacrifice. For anyone who has ever read Old Yeller or the books of Jack London, here is a real-life story that rivals any fiction. At once a wistful tribute and a stirring adventure, Always Faithful will enthrall readers with one of the great animal stories of all time.
A Soldier's Best Friend
Scout dogs and their handlers in the Vietnam War
Author: John C. Burnam, Copyright @ 2008
An affecting testimonial to the bond between American soldiers in Vietnam and their canine helpers, A Soldier’s Best Friend is veteran John C. Burnam’s account of his tenure as a scout dog handler patrolling the jungles of Vietnam with his German shepherd, Clipper, at his side.
There were 10,000 soldiers in Vietnam like Burnam, accompanied by these intelligent, adaptable scout dogs. Between hazardous missions, the dogs were loving, playful friends who shared the lives of their human squadmates, while in the combat zone they were all business. Routinely braving danger, the canines searched for injured GIs, probed for potentially lethal booby traps, located underground weapons caches, and warned of approaching enemy attacks and ambushes. So valuable was the dogs’ service that the Viet Cong offered a hefty bounty for their lives. Despite their heroism, many of these dogs were abandoned at the conflict’s end, left to fend for themselves.
A Special Breed of Warrior
Author: Joseph W. Mujwit, Copyright @ 2016
Zip is a military working dog destined to serve in the U.S. Special Forces. Specially trained, he joins a SEAL Team and is deployed in Afghanistan's dangerous Korengal Valley with his partner and best friend, Petty Officer Todd Mitchell. Todd, the team, and their new K9 have their skills continually tested by the sinister influence of the Taliban leader who dwells in the mountains. As they battle the insurgents; the team defuse IEDs, uncover caches of weapons and withstand harassing enemy attacks. Eventually, they face dire circumstances when pursued and ultimately trapped where they make a desperate attempt to escape. The circumstances of the ensuing battle and extraction cause the team leader, Lieutenant John Kelly, to make an agonizing decision that tears at Todd's dedication to duty and his devotion to his K9 partner and friend. Can Todd and the team carry out their orders knowing that it will probably cost their most beloved member his life? Elements of Tom Clancy and Jack London come together as A Special Breed of Warrior chronicles Zip’s training from his time as a pup and the special people who shape him into a highly skilled military working dog; to the orientation with his SEAL Team and their trying ordeal while deployed in Afghanistan. The novel is a tribute to the dedication of those that serve our country under the most extreme circumstances and the astonishing attributes of their K9 partners.
Civil War Dogs and the Men Who Loved Them
Author: Anne Palagruto, Copyright @ 2008
Sallie, Jack, Tip, Mike, Calamity..... These are just a few of the dogs who faithfully followed their masters through the Civil War, some right to the front line. There were spy dogs and hospital dogs.... messenger dogs and prison dogs. Some were wounded and returned to the front. Others were not so lucky. There were also the dog-lovers, such as Generals Pickett, Asboth, Barksdal and Custer, and also Presidents Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln. These are but a few of the stories in this delightful book. Also included is a Civil War photo gallery of the men and their pets as well as a chapter about modern dogs of war honoring those canines who followed their Civil War counterparts into war, some of them serving in Operation Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Over 100 images.
Dogs of War: The Fight Back Home
A film exploring PTSD in military working dogs
Somewhere, right now, a military working dog is searching for roadside bombs and protecting our troops in Afghanistan. They’re on the front lines, facing explosions and gunfire- a memory that haunts some of these dogs for the rest of their lives. Dogs of War: The Fight Back Home portrays how post-traumatic stress disorder affects our brave military working dogs, as well as the ongoing political movement aimed to recognize these dogs as not mere “equipment” (their official classification) but as heroic K9 service members.
Dogs of War: The Fight Back Home takes you on the same journey as a military working dog (MWD)- from the puppy program at Lackland Air Force Base and training in the Arizona desert, to war and then back home again. The film specifically follows the story of retired Navy MWD Brix D141, who after a deployment to Iraq and ten years of military service, was diagnosed with canine PTSD. Now 13 years old, Brix is terrified of loud noises and being left alone. With no cure for PTSD, Brix relies on his twice daily doses of Prozac to help ease his symptoms.
Through the stories of MWD Fara, MWD Rambo, MWD Buck, and MWD Brix, all now retired, the film also follows the current political movement which hopes to secure much needed rights for these 4-legged heroes, including their right to receive awards and recognition for their service, transportation to an adoptive home stateside, and medical care (provided by a non profit) in retirement. The original bill, cosponsored by Congressman Walter Jones (NC-R) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT-D), also proposes that military working dogs be reclassified from “equipment” to k9 service members.
Dogs at War
True stories of canine courage under fire
Author: Blythe Hammer, Copyright @ 2007
In military conflicts around the world, these unsung heroes have proved themselves time and again, and many have won decorations for their acts of bravery. From dragging wounded soldiers to safety to detecting a trip wire as thin as a hair or tracking the enemy back to a hideout, dogs have played a critical role in military conflicts and saved countless lives. The heroes honored in this volume include the "kamikaze" attack dogs used by Russia’s Red Army to destroy the invading Germans’ tanks, the heroic Airedale Jack who saved an entire British battalion during World War I, the parachuting dog who made more jumps during World War II than any man, and the American war dogs that saved as many as 10,000 lives during the Vietnam War. Starting with early warriors and moving through Allied dogs and American mascot dogs of World War I; para pups, anti-tank dogs, and defense dogs of World War II; the collection ends with scout dogs and other dog stories of the Vietnam War.
Dogs of War
The stories of FDR's Fala, Patton's Willie, and Ike's Telek
Author: Kathleen Kinsolving, Copyright @ 2012
Dogs of War is a treasure trove of marvelous anecdotes, scintillating tidbits, and delightful photographs of three beloved dogs sharing the limelight with Roosevelt, Patton, and Eisenhower as they battled together in their efforts to save the world from fascism. It includes such stories as Fala accompanying FDR on board the USS Augusta, where the President and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed the Atlanta Charter; Willie, who shuddered with fear at the sounds of gunfire during combat but traveled with Patton everywhere; and Telek, who garnered front page coverage in the British tabloid media when he and "wife" Caacie, pregnant with puppies, were photographed at a kennel during a six-month quarantine after returning home with Ike from Algiers.Dogs of War celebrates the unconditional, loving bond for man and his best friend, pays tribute to World War II history as our nation approaches the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and resurrects the tremendous thrill of a forbidden wartime romance. Fala, Willie, and Telek are three incredible dogs who will undoubtedly capture the world's heart!
Dogs of War wouldn't be complete without paying tribute to the working canines in the military, and features an article on Cairo, the heroic Navy Seal dog, who helped bring down Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Dog Tags of Courage
Combat infantrymen and war dog heroes in Vietnam
Author: John C. Burnam, Copyright @ 2005
This is the remarkable, little-known story of 4,000 superbly trained German shepherds and their human handlers, whose combined efforts saved countless lives in the Vietnam War. It is an authentic account, seen through the eyes of a teenage American combat infantryman who served two tours of duty as a scout-dog handler. John Burnam explores the almost mystical bond that developed between 10,000 valorous young soldiers and their extraordinary canine teammates. Burnam compassionately portrays scenes of battle and conveys the overwhelming emotions of the men who, at war's end, were forced to abandon thousands of these greathearted animals to whatever fate might befall them.
Dog Tags of Courage
The turmoil of war and the rewards of companionship
Author: John C. Burnam , Copyright @ 1999
Forever Forward
K-9 operations in Vietnam
Author: Michael Lemish, Copyright @ 2009
Forever Forward is the first in-depth account of K-9 operations during the Vietnam War, and provides a behind the scenes look at how Allied forces employed dog teams in a variety of roles, the evolution of the United States military working dog program, and the aftermath of Vietnam. The 4,000 dogs that served with our men in Vietnam in every service branch are America's unsung heroes. American dog teams averted over 10,000 casualties and worked as scouts, sentries, trackers, mine, and tunnel detectors. They were so effective the Viet Cong even placed a bounty on them. Heroes, yes, but our own government left most of them behind to an unknown fate.
K9 Heroes
Together we protect, defend, and conquer as one
Author: Nicole Arbelo, Copyright @ 2009
K9 Heroes is a non-fiction book based upon true stories of military K-9 handlers. The book is composed of interviews and stories from handlers.
It is targeted at military and law enforcement audiences but should have a strong appeal to the layman. Below is the synopsis appearing on the book.
K9 Heroes presents stories of courage and duty, friendship and family, loss and love, as told by the men and women serving with military working dogs, whose tasks include scouting, search and rescue, and the detection of explosives. Families and friends remember the servicemen and women, and their dogs, who gave their lives in their country's service, as well as presenting a vivid picture of the life and adventures of a K9 handler. The book is lavishly illustrated with over 100 photographs.
Loyal Hearts
Histories of American Civil War canines
Author: Michael Zucchero, Copyright @ 2009
Soldiers during the American Civil War adopted many exotic mascots. They ranged from alligators to badgers and bear cubs to wildcats, but none were as common, loyal and affectionate as dogs. The total number of canine mascots from the period is not known, but a few attained minor celebrity status and were memorialized on reunion buttons and monuments. In this book, Mike Zucchero tells the famous stories of Dog Jack, Harvey, and Sallie, as well as those of lesser known four-legged friends. For every documented dog in the field, there were dozens that only lived on in the memories of the soldiers. Yet dogs were active in their military lives: sharing men's trials and tribulations, offering their affection and providing entertainment to soldiers that faced hour upon hour of military boredom or possible death in an instant.
Navy SEAL Dogs
My tale of training canines for combat
Author: Mike Ritland, Copyright @ 2015
Before there was Max, there was Mike. A true story much like the touching movie, Navy SEAL Dogs explores the incomparable relationship between trainer and military dog.
Trident K9 Warriors gave readers an inside look at the SEAL teams' elite K9 warriors-who they are, how they are trained, and the extreme missions they undertake to save lives. From detecting explosives to eliminating the bad guys, these powerful dogs are also some of the smartest and highest skilled working animals on the planet. Mike Ritland's job is to train them.
This special edition re-telling presents the dramatic tale of how Ritland discovered his passion and grew up to become the trainer of the nation's most elite military working dogs. Ritland was a smaller-than-average kid who was often picked-on at school-which led him to spend more time with dogs at a young age. After graduating BUD/S training-the toughest military training in the world-to become a SEAL, he was on combat deployment in Iraq when he saw a military working dog in action and instantly knew he'd found his true calling.
Ritland started his own company to train and supply working and protection dogs for the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, and other clients. He also started the Warrior Dog Foundation to help retired Special Operations dogs live long and happy lives after their service.
This is the true story of how Mike Ritland grew from a skinny, bullied child, to a member of our nation's most elite SEAL Teams, to the trainer of the world's most highly skilled K9 warriors.
None Came Home
The war dogs of Vietnam
Author: John E. O'Donnell, Copyright @ 2001
No Ordinary Dog
My partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Laden Raid
Authors: Will Chesney and Joe Layden, Copyright @ 2020
THE INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER -- No Ordinary Dog is the powerful true story of a SEAL Team Operator and military dog handler, and the dog that saved his life.
Two dozen Navy SEALs descended on Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011. After the mission, only one name was made public: Cairo, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog. This is Cairo's story, and that of his handler, Will Chesney, a SEAL Team Operator whose life would be irrevocably tied to Cairo's.
Starting in 2008, when Will was introduced to the SEAL canine program, he and Cairo worked side by side, depending on each other for survival on hundreds of critical operations in the war on terrorism. But their bond transcended their service. Then, in 2011, the call came: Pick up your dog and get back to Virginia. Now.
What followed were several weeks of training for a secret mission. It soon became clear that this was no ordinary operation. Cairo was among the first members of the U.S. military on the ground in Pakistan as part of Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the successful elimination of bin Laden.
As Cairo settled into a role as a reliable “spare dog,” Will went back to his job as a DEVGRU operator, until a grenade blast in 2013 left him with a brain injury and PTSD. Unable to participate in further missions, he suffered from crippling migraines, chronic pain, memory issues, and depression. Modern medicine provided only modest relief. Instead, it was up to Cairo to save Will's life once more―and then up to Will to be there when Cairo needed him the most.
Sergeant Rex
The unbreakable bond between a Marine and his military working dog
Author: Mike Dowling, Copyright @ 2011
“In Iraq we put our lives in each other’s hands (and paws) day after day. We took care of each other no matter what. Rex and I have a bond that will last for the rest of our born days. If ever there was a marine who lived up to Semper Fidelis, the motto of the Marine Corps, it’s Rex.”
Deployed to Iraq’s infamous Triangle of Death in 2004, Sergeant Mike Dowling and his military working dog Rex were part of the first Marine Corps military K9 teams sent to the front lines of combat since Vietnam. It was Rex’s job to sniff out weapons caches, suicide bombers, and IEDs, the devastating explosives that wreaked havoc on troops and civilians alike. It was Mike’s job to lead Rex into the heart of danger time and time again, always trusting Rex to bring them both back alive.
Dowling had turned twenty-five and Rex three just after they arrived in Iraq. Neither of them had any idea what to expect, and no training could fully prepare them for this job. An animal lover since childhood, Dowling had fostered and trained dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and he was determined to serve in the military’s K9 unit after joining the Marines. On their first patrols in Iraq, Rex suffered a seemingly incurable fear of explosions and gunfire, but with Mike at the other end of his leash, Rex gained the courage to perform his duty.
Filled with harrowing tales of knife-edge bomb-detection work, including an extraordinary baptism by fire, Sergeant Rex is a heart-pounding account of how an unbreakable human-canine bond helped Mike and Rex to stay focused on their mission and save countless lives. Dowling takes us into the searing 130-degree heat, the choking dust, and the ever-present threat of violent attack that seemed to permeate Iraq’s streets. We experience Dowling’s visceral fear of walking down an IED-laden alley where dismemberment or death can come with any footstep, only his trusted partner, Rex, by his side.
Loyalty is one of the hallmarks of any good Marine, and nowhere is that quality more evident than in this astonishing account of Mike Dowling and Rex’s wartime experiences. A moving story of how a man and a dog developed complete trust in each other in the face of terrible adversity, Sergeant Rex is an unforgettable tale of sacrifice, courage, and love.
Smoky the Brave
How a Feisty Yorkshire Terrier Mascot Became a Comrade-in-Arms during World War II
Author: Damien Lewis, Copyright @ 2018
The extraordinary, touching true story of Smoky, the smallest--and arguably bravest--dog of World War II
In February 1944, as Japanese military advances threatened to overwhelm New Guinea, a tiny, four-pound Yorkshire Terrier was discovered hiding in the island's thick jungles. A total mystery as to her origins, she was adopted by US Army Air Force Corporal William "Bill" Wynne, an air-crewman in a photo reconnaissance squadron, becoming an irreplaceable lucky charm for the unit. When Smoky saved Wynne's life by barking a warning of an incoming kamikaze attack, he nicknamed her the "angel from a foxhole."
Smoky's exploits continued when she jumped for the unit in a specially designed parachute and famously joined the aircrews flying daring sorties in the war-torn skies. But her most heroic feat was running a cable through a seventy-foot pipe no wider than four inches in places to enable critical communication lines to be run across an airbase which had just been seized from the enemy, saving hundreds of ground-crew from being exposed to enemy bombing.
In recognition of her efforts, Smoky was awarded eight battle stars. Smoky the Brave brings to vivid life the danger and excitement of the many missions of World War II's smallest hero.
Soldier Dogs
The untold story of America's canine heroes
Author: Maria Goodavage, Copyright @ 2012
A leading reporter offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them.
People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don't have to be a dog lover to be fascinated by the idea that a dog-the cousin of that furry guy begging for scraps under your table-could be one of the heroes who helped execute the most vital and high-tech military mission of the new millennium.
Now Maria Goodavage, editor and featured writer for one of the world's most widely read dog blogs, tells heartwarming stories of modern soldier dogs and the amazing bonds that develop between them and their handlers. Beyond tales of training, operations, retirement, and adoption into the families of fallen soldiers, Goodavage talks to leading dog-cognition experts about why dogs like nothing more than to be on a mission with a handler they trust, no matter how deadly the IEDs they are sniffing, nor how far they must parachute or rappel from aircraft into enemy territory.
"Military working dogs live for love and praise from their handlers," says Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association and a former marine scout dog handler. "The work is all a big game, and then they get that pet, that praise. They would do anything for their handler." This is an unprecedented window into the world of these adventurous, loving warriors.
Team Dog
How to train your dog--the Navy SEAL way
Authors: Mike Ritland and Gary Brozek, Copyright @ 2016
New York Times–bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland teaches all dog owners how to have the close relationship and exceptional training of combat dogs.
In Team Dog, Mike taps into fifteen years’ worth of experience and shares, explaining in accessible and direct language, the science behind the importance of gaining a dog’s trust and then offering invaluable steps for how to achieve any level of obedience. His unique approach uses entertaining examples and anecdotes from his work with dogs on and off the battlefield and direct tips from the Navy SEAL guidebook to teach dog owners how to: choose the perfect dog for their household, establish themselves as the “team leader,” master “command and control,” employ “situational awareness,” and to solidify their dog’s position as the family’s ultimate best friend.
Team Dog introduces pet owners everywhere to the new and distinctive authority on how to train your dog. . . the SEAL way.
The Dogs of War
The courage, love, and loyalty of military working dogs
Author: Lisa Rogak, Copyright @ 2011
Military working dogs gained widespread attention after Cairo participated in the SEAL Team 6 mission that led to Osama bin Laden’s death. Before that, few civilians realized that dogs served in combat, let alone that they could parachute from thirty thousand feet up.
The Dogs of War reveals the amazing range of jobs that our four-legged soldiers now perform, examines the dogs’ training and equipment, and sets the record straight on those rumors of titanium teeth. You’ll find heartwarming stories of the deep bond that dogs and their handlers share with each other, and learn how soldiers and civilians can help the cause by fostering puppies or adopting retirees.
An incredible story of the largely unseen but vital role that dogs play in our armed forces, The Dogs of War is a must-read for animal lovers everywhere.
Trident K9 Warriors
My tale from the training ground to the battlefield with elite Navy SEAL canines
Author: Michael Ritland with Gary Brozek, Copyright @ 2013
As a Navy SEAL during a combat deployment in Iraq, Mike Ritland saw a military working dog in action and instantly knew he’d found his true calling. Ritland started his own company training and supplying dogs for the SEAL teams, U.S. Government, and Department of Defense. He knew that fewer than 1 percent of all working dogs had what it takes to contribute to the success of our nation’s elite combat units, and began searching the globe for animals who fit this specific profile. These specialized canines had to pass rigorous selection tests before their serious training could begin.
The results were a revelation: highly trained working dogs capable of handling both detection and apprehension work in the most extreme environments and the tensest of battlefield conditions. Though fiercely aggressive and athletic, these dogs develop a close bond with the handlers they work side by side with and the other team members. Truly integrating themselves into their units, these K9 warriors are much like their human counterparts—unwavering in their devotion to duty, strong enough and tough enough to take it to the enemy through pain, injury, or fear.
For the first time ever, Trident K9 Warriors gives readers an inside look at these elite canines—who they are, how they are trained, and the extreme missions they undertake saving countless lives, asking for little in the way of reward. From detecting explosives to eliminating the bad guys, these powerful dogs are also some of the smartest and most highly skilled working animals on the planet.
War Dogs
A history of loyalty and heroism
Author: Michael G. Lemish, Copyright @ 1999
Now in trade paperback, War Dogs provides an eye-opening look at unsung canine heroes from World War I to the present. Terriers, shepherds, beagles, collies, huskies, and Dobermans are only a few of the breeds that have pulled sleds, searched caves and bunkers, and even parachuted into combat. Michael Lemish has collected true stories and rare photographs that reflect the strong bonds that have formed between war dogs and their masters as they worked together in dangerous situations. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will love this salute to these four-legged heroes.
Walking Point
Walking Point is a film about humanity, the evils of war, and the bonds between soldier and man's best friend.
Inspired by true events. For the first time in American history, canines were trained and used in battle. Set in the 1940’s, this screenplay focuses on the bond between a group of donated dogs and their handlers, specifically a Doberman named Duke and youthful Private Markle. It portrays their travel by train from North Carolina to San Diego and eventually across the Pacific and into battle. Their travels to Guam lead to love, loss, and victory.
War Dogs of the Pacific
They earned the title Man's Best Friend
Produced and directed by award winning filmmaker Harris Done. War Dogs of the Pacific tells the incredible true story of the marine war dog platoons of world war two. It's a heart-warming film that explores the unique bond that formed between the young marines and their dogs. They teamed up to perform dangerous missions. Their success at finding the hidden enemy saved countless lives in the Pacific. These dogs proved themselves worthy of the title, 'Man's Best Friend.'
War Dogs
Tales of canine heroism, history, and love
Author: Rebecca Frankel, Copyright @ 2014
Under the cover of night, deep in the desert of Afghanistan, a US Army handler led a Special Forces patrol with his military working dog. Without warning an insurgent popped up, his weapon raised. At the handler’s command, the dog charged their attacker. There was the flash of steel, the blur of fur, and the sound of a single shot; the handler watched his dog take a bullet. During the weeks it would take the dog to heal, the handler never left its side. The dog had saved his life. Loyal and courageous, dogs are truly man’s best friend on the battlefield. While the soldiers may not always feel comfortable calling the bond they form love, the emotions involved are strong and complicated.
In War Dogs, Rebecca Frankel offers a riveting mix of on-the-ground reporting, her own hands-on experiences in the military working dog world, and a look at the science of dogs’ special abilities—from their amazing noses and powerful jaws to their enormous sensitivity to the emotions of their human companions. The history of dogs in the US military is long and rich, from the spirit-lifting mascots of the Civil War to the dogs still leading patrols hunting for IEDs today. Frankel not only interviewed handlers who deployed with dogs in wars from Vietnam to Iraq, but top military commanders, K-9 program managers, combat-trained therapists who brought dogs into war zones as part of a preemptive measure to stave off PTSD, and veterinary technicians stationed in Bagram. She makes a passionate case for maintaining a robust war-dog force. In a post-9/11 world rife with terrorist threats, nothing is more effective than a bomb-sniffing dog and his handler. With a compelling cast of humans and animals, this moving book is a must read for all dog lovers—military and otherwise.
Warrior Pups
True Stories of America's K9 Heroes
Author: Jeff Kamen, Copyright @ 2017
Portraits of love and courage
- An inside look at America’s military working dog program
- Heartwarming profiles of people who train these heroic dogs
- Beautifully designed with more than 75 color photographs
Warrior Pups is an illustrated tribute to the dedicated people at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base who transform wriggly little puppies into heroic military working dogs that fight the global war on terror. The book takes readers behind the scenes into the Defense Department’s Puppy Breeding maternity suite where the pups are born and the loving foster homes where they are raised. In addition, the reader is introduced to the exceptional dog trainers and handlers from all branches of the military who are deeply committed to making the US Military Working Dog Program the best of its kind.
Yorkie Doodle Dandy (7th Edition)
A memoir
Author: William A. Wynne, Copyright @ 2017
Bill Wynne, of Irish descent, spent his early years in an orphanage and running the streets of Cleveland where he learned much about dogs. A poor school student, he found his way into an elective photography course in high school. That developed into his main career for 50 years as a photographer and journalist with NASA and The Cleveland PLAIN DEALER ~ eventually leading him into the nation's second largest High School's Hall of Fame (2006) and the 2009 class of the Ohio Senior Citzens' Hall of Fame (for life time achievement as a journalist author, inventor, and decorated WWII Veteran). After his acceptance speech in the State House, he was asked to tell about how he got Smoky, "YORKIE DOODLE DANDY."
This is an incredible memoir about a miraculous tiny dog. Named miraculous by the foremost dog authority of the 20th Century, Maxwell Riddle simply states, "Smoky became a miracle, the greatest dog I ever knew and far greater than any I have read about." Smoky began as a miracle find in a New Guinea jungle foxhole in 1944.
Bill Wynne, a 21 year old airman from Cleveland in MacArthur's 5th Air Force, purchased Smoky - a four lb. Yorkie - for 2 Australian pounds ($6.44) so the owner could get back in a poker game. While in Wynne's hands, Smoky became the greatest trained dog of her time. In the meantime, Smoky gained a series of untouchable titles by her wonderous ability and exploits both deliberate and accidental. More amazing, they both had to learn her training by trial and error: in New Guinea's steaming jungles; on the baking coral rock Island of Biak at the equator; and while always moving on as part of the most forward airbase stations with the 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron.
The little dog's training done in spare time was mixed with deadly adventures of air raids and flying on combat missions to Borneo and those islands in between, and up into the lower Philippines. During this period Smoky lost her good conduct medal for a year when she had a surprise puppy. Bill reluctantly took her along on 12 combat missions with the 3rd Emergency Rescue Squadron Catalinas. Settling arguments among his friends who questioned who'd get Smoky "if Wynne gets knocked off," Wynne declared, "The heck with you guys, if we go down, we'll go down together."
Smoky's credits are massive. Some are:
- "Champion Mascot in the SWPA" -- YANK Magazine 1944, for parachute jumping;
- "Most Useful Dog in America" -- AMERICAN MAGAZINE, 1950;"
- The first Therapy Dog of record"-- Animal Planet;
- "She is the dog credited for drawing attention to a then obscure breed with 65 AKC registered pups in 1945," -- Yorkshire Terrier, - POPULAR DOG , to the now second most popular breed in the U.S."
The 41 photos are both testimonials and sensational. Yorkie Doodle Dandy is "a keeper" among avid readers, those with military interests and dog lovers. The book has inspired six memorials nationally, two Animal Planet shows, a 3.5 minute special historical spot during the broadcast of the WESTMINSTER Dog Show, 2008 and documentary. Readers say, "You'll laugh and you will cry when reading about Smoky, who is still a true celebration of life. Bill later wonders, "Was she an angel in a foxhole?" With a smash ending you'll find it easy to decide.
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Books for children
Anna and Natalie
Author: Barbara H. Cole, Copyright @ 2010
Ages 6+
Anna is never picked for any team at school, so she is determined to be part of the wreath-laying team at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This compelling story, delicately illustrated and now in paperback, tells how Anna deals with being blind. This book will touch the hearts of readers as they discover the unexpected outcome.
Chips a Hometown Hero
Based on the true-life adventures of the World War II K-9 hero
Author: Nancy M. West, Copyright @ 2008
Ages 9+
Chips, a husky-shepherd-collie mix is a curious and carefree dog until the war starts. Suddenly Chips' comfortable life, and the lives of everyone he knows in his peaceful little village are changed forever. Follow Chips as he is enlisted in Dogs for Defense and joins the first war dog detachment to be shipped overseas into some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War. A fictional account based on the true-to-life adventures of the most highly decorated K9 hero from World War II, Chips: A Hometown Hero is a timeless story about the importance of home, friendship, and loyalty during one of the most challenging times in America's history.
Cracker!
The best dog in Vietnam
Author: Cynthia Kadohata, Copyright @ 2008
Ages 10+
CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS: a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.
Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his sergeant -- and everyone else who didn't think he was cut out for war -- wrong. But sometimes Rick can't help but wonder that maybe everyone else is right. Maybe he should have just stayed at home and worked in his dad's hardware store.
When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn't so sure about this new owner. He's going to have to prove himself to her before she's going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.
Told in part through the uncanny point of view of a German shepherd, Cracker! is an action-packed glimpse into the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of a dog and her handler. It's an utterly unique powerhouse of a book by the Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira.
Heart of a Hero
Author: Billi J. Tiner, Copyright @ 2012
Lady, an Irish Setter puppy, is leading a simple life on a farm in Ohio during the 1940’s. Lady’s biggest desire is to become an expert hunting dog like her mother. She has no idea that her life is going to take her down a path where she will find herself in the middle of incredibly dangerous situations, including a world war. On several occasions, Lady will have to find the courage to risk her life in order to save someone she loves. The loyalty and bravery that Lady shows throughout her lifetime illustrate what it truly means to have the heart of a hero.
Military Dogs
Author: Frances E. Ruffin, Copyright @ 2006
Ages 7+
From classic heroines like Lassie to contemporary heroes like Beethoven, children will thrill to stories about the real-life dogs that are part of the entertainment industry. Young readers will learn about the emergence of dogs in television and film. With vivid full-color photographs and exciting narratives, Hollywood Dogs captivates kids with details on how dogs are trained to work with their human partners--and ultimately steal the show!
Navy SEAL Dogs
A children's book about training Navy SEAL dogs for combat
Author: Lionel Paxton, Copyright @ 2013
e-book
Navy SEAL Dogs promises to teach your children all about how the Navy trains these specialist dogs for combat, the breed used and expectations of these dog soldiers. They will understand the background of the Navy Seal dogs, the agility of the breed and their ability to locate people, explosives and weapons with their senses of smell and hearing. This educational publication opens up a world of action adventure for kids. The ebook explains everything about helping soldiers on their missions with vivid illustrations and captivating photographs. Read it in black and white or absorbing full color on your Kindle.
This is a perfect ebook for kids to explore and discover the history of war dogs and the link between Belgian Malinois, working dogs and SEAL dogs. It includes explanations of: what the military has used dogs for in warfare stretching as far back as 600 BC, saving over 10,000 lives in warzones and frontlines worldwide; the close bond between these dogs and their handlers and ‘Cairo’ the SEAL dog who was part of the team that helped capture the terrorist Osama bin Laden.
For instance did you know that there are over 2,500 war dogs in service today with about 700 deployed and serving overseas or that a daring navy seal skydiver and his dog hold the record for the highest man-dog parachute jump at an altitude of 30,100 feet? The facts, pictures and explanations in the publication will keep your child fascinated and entertained, giving fun and enjoyment whilst improving understanding and knowledge.
You will understand why most of the western world’s military and law enforcement sectors choose the Malinois, whether it be for sport work, search and rescue, personal protection, detection, police or army work and how SEAL dogs are capable of working in military missions at sea, in the air and on land. You will see why these dogs are trained to detect and engage in ways that soldiers can’t such as explosive detection, reconnaissance, tracking, guarding, engaging the enemy, etc. You will discover what it is like for a soldier to take on, handle and train what will become a best friend. You will also get an understanding of some of the incredible equipment which has been developed to help these dogs perform their work; for instance, I was amazed that special dog goggles have been developed to help dogs recognize that there are people on the other side of a wall.
Combat canines are elite warriors, trained fearlessly to venture into our skies by parachute jumping or rappelling down enemy structures. Imagine your heart pounding in your chest while peering out over the edge of a plane 13,000 feet above ground with your best friend harnessed to you. This book will make you understand the close bond which develops between the trainer and dogs and how both are totally reliant on each other for survival. Loss of either party has a tremendous impact on the one remaining and stories of loyalty will bring tears to your eye
If you are a little bit like me, your child will be enthralled by the facts, photographs and information contained in the book. They will look at these remarkable dogs in a different light and will want to learn more about them.
Navy Seal Dogs
My Tale of Training Canines for Combat
Authors: Michael Ritland, Gary Brozek, Thea Feldman, Copyright @ 2013
Ages 12 and up
Trident K9 Warriors gave readers an inside look at the Navy SEAL teams' elite K9 warriors—who they are, how they are trained, and the extreme missions they undertake to save lives. From detecting explosives to eliminating the bad guys, these powerful dogs are also some of the smartest and highest skilled working animals on the planet. Mike Ritland's job is to train them.
This special edition re-telling presents the dramatic tale of how Ritland discovered his passion and grew up to become the trainer of the nation's most elite military working dogs. Ritland was a smaller-than-average kid who was often picked-on at school—which led him to spend more time with dogs at a young age. After graduating BUD/S training—the toughest military training in the world—to become a SEAL, he was on combat deployment in Iraq when he saw a military working dog in action and instantly knew he'd found his true calling.
Ritland started his own company to train and supply working and protection dogs for the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, and other clients. He also started the Warrior Dog Foundation to help retired Special Operations dogs live long and happy lives after their service.
Navy SEAL Dogs is the true story of how Mike Ritland grew from a skinny, bullied child, to a member of our nation's most elite SEAL Teams, to the trainer of the world's most highly skilled K9 warriors.
Paws of Courage
True tales of heroic dogs that protect and serve
Author: Nancy Furstinger, Copyright @2016
Modern wars recruit more than just human soldiers. Our canine companions also serve in the line of duty and under fire, whether helping police protect our home turf or accompanying soldiers on missions abroad. Readers will cheer for the hero dogs featured in this collection, profiled with stunning photos and inspiring tales of bravery, friendship, heroism, and devotion. Their touching stories are sure to inspire animal lovers everywhere.
Rags: Hero Dog of WWI
A true story
Author: Margot Theis Raven, Copyright @ 2014
During World War I, while stationed overseas in France with the United States Army, Private James Donovan literally stumbles upon a small dog cowering on the streets of Paris. Named Rags for his disheveled appearance, the little stray quickly finds a home with Donovan and a place in his heart. Although the Army did not have an official canine division, Rags accompanies Donovan to the battlefield, making himself a useful companion delivering messages and providing a much-appreciated morale boost to the soldiers. News about Rags spreads and soon the little dog's battlefield exploits become the stuff of legend. But during a fierce battle near the end of the war, both Rags and Donovan are wounded. Severely injured, Donovan is sent back to the United States. And the little dog with the big heart refuses to leave his best friend's side.
Smoky: No Ordinary War Dog
Author: Nigel Allsopp, Copyright @ 2020
In March 1944, deep in the jungle New Guinea, a little Yorkshire Terrier was found in a fox hole. Based on true events during WWII, follow Smoky and Bill as they endure the front line of Papua New Guinea and Smoky becomes recognized as the first Military Therapy Dog.
Stubby Brave Soldier Dog
Authors: Richard Glendinning, Sally Glendinning, Copyright @ 1978
Relates the experiences of Stubby who, as the mascot of the Yankee division during World War I, was the only U.S. dog to see action in Europe.
Stubby: The Dog Soldier
WWI hero
Author: Blake Hoens, Copyright @ 2014
A stray dog named Stubby braves the World War I battlefields alongside Private J. Robert Conroy. See the story unfold as this brave little canine makes a big difference in the lives of many World War I soldiers.
Stubby the War Dog
The true story of World War I's bravest dog
Author: Ann Bausum, Copyright @ 2014
Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sgt. Stubby! That German shepherd star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way. Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy's unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy's commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy's unit to the Western Front. Stubby's brave deeds earned him a place in history and in the Smithsonian Institution where his stuffed body can still be seen. Almost 100 years later, Stubby's great deeds and brave heart make him an animal hero to fall in love with and treasure all over again.
They Too Were Heroes
True tales of courageous dogs
Author: Joanne Mattern, Copyright @ 2003
Ages 9+
Soldiers, firefighters, and rescue workers can all be heroes. But did you know that throughout history, dogs have been heroes, too? Readers will meet Stubby, the first American "war dog" hero; Aron, who sacrificed himself to protect his police-officer partner in a shooting; Bridget, a search-and-rescue dog who saved a woman buried for five days by an avalanche; and Dorado, who bravely led his blind owner down seventy flights of stairs to escape the World Trade Center. These and many other remarkable dogs are genuine, but often forgotten heroes. Here are their amazing true stories.
War Dog Heroes
True stories of dog courage in wartime
Author: Jeanette Sanderson, Copyright @ 1997
Ages 8+
A compilation of action-packed stories of courage and friendship celebrates the extraordinary wartime accomplishments of such canine heroes as Stubby, who captured a German spy during World War I, and Andy, who saved troops from a Japanese ambush during World War II.
War Dogs
And other tales of courageous canines
Author: Joanne Mattern, Copyright @ 2011
These five war heroes are compelling, courageous-and totally canine! We've all read about hero soldiers, firefighters, and rescue workers. But some of the biggest heroes aren't human-they're dogs! In this amazing collection, kids will meet five brave real-life dogs who have served in America's wars-from Stubby, the first American "war dog" hero to Wolf, a German shepherd who kept hundreds of soldiers safe in Vietnam.
Warrior Dog (Young Readers Edition)
The true story of a Navy SEAL and his fearless canine partner
Authors: Joe Laydon and Will Chesney, Copyright @ 2020
Two dozen Navy SEALs descended on Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011. After the mission, only one name was made public: Cairo, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog. Warrior Dog is the story of Cairo and his handler, Will Chesney, a member of SEAL Team Six whose life would be irrevocably tied to Cairo's, specially adapted for young readers from Chesney and Joe Layden's No Ordinary Dog.
Starting in 2008, when Will was introduced to the canine program, he and Cairo worked side by side, depending on each other for survival on hundreds of critical operations in the war on terrorism. But their bond went beyond their military service.
As Cairo aged and went on fewer missions, Will moved on to other assignments, forced to slowly―and painfully―distance himself from the dog. Then, in 2011, the call came: Pick up your dog and get back to Virginia. Now.
Cairo and Will trained for weeks for a secret mission, but it soon became clear that this was no ordinary operation. Cairo was among the first members of the U.S. military on the ground in Pakistan as part of Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the successful elimination of bin Laden.
As Cairo settled into a role as a reliable “spare dog,” Will went back to his job―until a grenade blast in 2013 left him severely injured. Unable to participate in further missions, he tried to recover, medicine provided only modest relief. Instead, it was up to Cairo to save Will's life once more―and then up to Will to be there when Cairo needed him the most.
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