Remembering our Human and K9 Veterans

This month's issue of National Geographic, features a U.S. War Dog - hero  "Layka" - and her touching story of being a K9 soldier "...shot four times at point blank range..." while on duty in Afghanistan, and how she saved the life of  her handler, Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald,  and their team. it also tells of how Staff Sgt. McDonald fought to adopt Layka and bring home - his friend, his partner, his protector.

Gibson and Harley love this War Dog issue of Nat Geo. Lots of info.

 Don't miss viewing the touching video of Layka's story in this month's issue of National Geographic as told by her handler, Staff Sgt. McDonald here:

The Dogs of War - Video: A Soldiers Best Friend

There is also a very touching video featuring veterans of the Vietnam War talking about their K9 partners. The sad part, 4,000 dogs were sent over, and only about 200 made it back home during that time. Thankfully, in 2000, "Robby's Law" was adopted by the U.S. Congress, making it easier to for the war dog to be adopted post-service.

Please check out the photos and information about the Military Working Dog (MWD) Teams national monument (see right) at Lackland Air Force Base HERE. 

Harley reading about War Dog Buck, the Husky.

Each year, I talk about one of my favorite books, Buck's Heroes, by Vietnam Veteran Johnny Mayo, who is also featured in the NatGeo video above. Buck's Heroes is a beautiful book that we have made part of our library and highly recommend. It is the moving story of Buck, the Siberian Husky, visiting the memorial and the stories he learns while there.  Here is our Harley with the cover of this beautiful book.

*Husky Trivia* And if you are new to my blog - did you know that the Siberian

U.S. War Dog Ambassador "Buck"

Husky and Malamutes were used as War Dogs during WWII? I have also previously written about Buck, a Siberian Husky pictured here, who was the U.S. War Dogs Ambassador. For his service, he deserves to be remembered. Buck journeyed North of the Rainbow Bridge on March 23, 2006, but his service and story will always be remembered. Buck - you did us proud.

To learn more about the United States War Dogs, please visit their website HERE.

And if you are interested in adopting one of our canine heroes, please visit Save-A-Vet.

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." 

 ~Unknown Author

  
Here is a wonderful tribute by Gone to the Snow Dogs featuring many beautiful faces ~ and don't miss out on seeing boy our Wolf toward the end of the video!

This Memorial Day, we here at the FiveSibes give a heartfelt "Thank You" for your service" to our K9 and human veterans. We will always remember.

This blog post is dedicated to my Dad, TSGT E. Larry Wills, a great animal lover who passed away in May 1974. He proudly served with the US Army's First Division "Big Red One" and a second tour with the Rainbow Division, 16th infantry medical detachment. Pictured here he is with two of his canine companions on base.

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