Canine heroes serving in Iraq

[pippin]

"An English springer spaniel with a talent for sniffing out guns, ammunition and explosives in Iraq has survived a suspected contract killing, a British newspaper reported today.

Blaze, who is serving with British forces in southern Iraq, escaped with only cuts and bruises after the would-be killer roared up in a car, "deliberately swerved" and hit him, The Sun said, quoting military sources.

"There is no doubt that this was a deliberate assassination attempt," a senior army officer was quoted as saying. "We are convinced that there was a price on Blaze's head."

http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,9068739%5E401,00.html
Let's hear a get well "woof" for Blaze. :loveya:

[DBoon]

1. Can we send him a get-well biskie?

or maybe a chew toy?

[xchrom]

2. bring blaze home

and our other canine heros as well.
and last but not least -- blaze you have our thanks and best thoughts from us for all the work you do.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Dogs have been...

the unsung heroes of wars since WWI. I've seen some amazing documentaries on their service that highlight the best aspects of our furry friends: their bravery, their loyalty, and their skill.

One of the sadder stories I saw was the dogs used in Vietnam. When the troops were taken out, the K-9 units assumed that their dog partners would be returning with them, but they were ordered to leave the dogs behind. The men were distraught and tried everything they could do to get the order changed, but they were refused. Almost 30 years later these men were still tearing up talking about the partners they left behind.

In the Presidio here in San Francisco, in a small corner of the military cemetery, is an area where the military dogs from wars past are buried. I can still remember driving by it as a kid and seeing the small headstones.

[pippin]

4. Remembering the dogs of war?

Yes, I agree they are the unsung heroes. Interesting it is the British who would think of writing up a story about Blaze.The British on the whole have a lot of feeling for their animals with whom they work. I haven't seen any stories yet from the US about this but I am always impressed by working dogs and the trainers who work with them.

[pagerbear]

5. They had to leave the dogs behind?!

That's appalling!

[commander bunnypants]

6. yea its is a very sad story.

They run a story every now and then on history. Bring a lot of kleenex.

DDQM