Military Dogs (and Other Animals) - We Remember

Friends, lest we forget, animals have been an important part of military history, many giving their lives for our countries.

Dogs served, and continue to serve today, as guardians, rescuers, watchdogs, messengers, detectors of dangerous gases and explosives and landmines, and many more brave and dangerous things. In the people's World War II, the American Army was desperate for Dogs (because we are so very amazing), and thousands of humans across the country gave up their beloved pets to be drafted into military work overseas. Today dogs are born and raised just for military service.

Cats were also brave in war - they carried messages and acted as spies. Many, many horses were used as well (in World War I over 8 million horses died, and 2.5 million more were injured transporting soldiers and weapons and supplies). Also in war were rodents and birds who went into tunnels sniffing for poisonous gas, plus donkeys, reindeer and elephants who carried things for the people.

Gander - Hero Dog from Canada

This is Gander. He was a Canadian Military Dog, a member of The Royal Rifles of Canada in World War II. In Hong Kong, one of his acts of bravery was charging a group of Japanese soldiers as they approached wounded Canadian soldiers, likely saving the soldiers' lives. 

Gander died in the Battle of Lye Mun on Dec. 19, 1942, when he picked up a grenade and carried it away from a group of soldiers. The grenade exploded, ending his life.

Treo - Hero Dog from Britain

This is Treo. He is a bomb-sniffer who has detected many bombs with his amazing nose and saved hundreds of human lives! (And been given medals for his service!)

Chips - Hero Dog from USA

This is Chips. (Don't you think Chips looks like me? This makes him an extra-special hero to me!) 

Chips was an American Dog who served in World War II in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. In Sicily in 1943, Chips and his person were trapped by people with machine guns. Chips charged the people, attacked them, pinned them down, and forced their surrender. (He was much very brave!)

Sarbi - Hero Dog from Australia

This is Sarbi. She was working as a bomb-sniffing Dog when, in September 2008, her person and their unit were attacked by the Taliban. Many of the people were wounded, and she got separated from them and lost! She survived for a whole year inside the Taliban heartland. In 2009 she was found in northeastern Uruzgan and reunited with her person. (This story has a happy ending!)

Here are more stories of brave military Dogs from around the world (and the source of the four stories I shared with you today):

http://barkpost.com/the-bravest-military-dogs/

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, and so today we take extra time to think of all the Dogs (and Cats and Horses and every other kind of animal) who served the people taking care of our countries so that Ojo and I can roam our beaches and forests and mountains in safety. 

We remember. 

(Canadian Military Dogs Tracer, Trooper and Trigger standing at attention. Source: http://khanrahan.com/2013/03/14/military-dog-picture-of-the-week/)