Veterans Day: Honoring K9 Soldiers and Our #LiveGibStrong Epi-Tip #11

 

Today is Veterans Day. Let us all please take a moment to reflect upon all of our veterans, past and present, two-legged and four-legged, those who bravely defended our country, those who gave their lives, as well as those currently serving. If you see a veteran, remember to say "Thank You" for his/her service. Since this is a canine blog, we'll be focusing on the four-legged veterans and their dedication and service. And a great way to honor our military working dogs is to stop by a local shelter and make a donation of food, treats, goods, or money in the name of a K9 soldier.

This year, 2014, marks a very special Veterans Day in the canine world as military canines became part of the New York Veterans Day Parade! An honor over due! According to ABC News, "New York's Veteran's Day parade a/k/a "America's Parade," honored all veterans, even the canine ones. For the first time in the parade's history, six military dogs marched alongside the soldiers they served with." This year's parade theme was "Land of the Free/Home of the Brave,"in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner” (written in 1814). To read more about the veteran military dogs who rode in America's Parade, visit the ABC News story HERE.

According to the American Humane Association, "Six

military hero dog teams, each of which save the lives of an estimated 150-200 servicemen and women." The hero canines were, "saluted by America on their own parade float, joined by Army veteran, 'Law and Order' star, and dog lover Ice-T and his wife Coco; philanthropist and veterans advocate Lois Pope; animal star Hudson, who played 'Willie Nelson' in the film Our Idiot Brother; and American Humane Association president and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert, who has spearheaded the repatriation and reunification of these military dogs and 14 others with their former handlers this year alone with the help of Mission K9 Rescue and the U.S. War Dog Association."

You can meet the six hero soldier dogs who had the honor of riding on New York City's the inaugural military working dog float: Ryky, Maxi, Fieldy, Cena, Cila, and Mariah in the New York Post's article HERE.

“These dogs are genuine heroes and deserve to be recognized on Veterans Day, alongside the human heroes who have so faithfully served our country. We hope that this parade will shine a spotlight on the service of these under-recognized soldiers.” ~Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association president and CEO 

To find out how you can help bring more of the Military Working Dogs back home, visit the American Humane Association HERE.  

There are many working breeds of dog who serve faithfully as a K9 soldier, also known as a war dog. But, did you know that the Siberian Husky and its cousin the  Malamute were among them?  According to the United States War Dog Association, in "January, 1942, not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the American Kennel Association and a new group calling itself 'Dogs for Defense' mobilized dog owners across the country to donate quality animals to the Army's Quartermaster Corps." Among the breeds used, were the Belgium Sheep Dog, German Shepherd, Collie, Doberman Pinscher, Eskimo, and the Siberian Husky.

Did you know that the War Dog Ambassador was a Siberian Husky named "Buck?"

BUCK WAS THE WAR DOGS AMBASSADOR.  HE DIED MARCH 23, 2006

 

"When Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941,the United States inventory of military working dogs consisted of only 90 Siberian Huskies and Malamutes. These dogs were used as pack and sled dogs for rescue in areas of the world where motorized equipment could not go."  ~Our War Dogs, Buck's Heroes

American Humane Association, U.S. War Dogs Association, and Red Bank Veterinary Hospital (in New Jersey)Announce Free Specialty Veterinary Care For All Returning Military Working Dogs And Contract Working Dogs. Read all about it HERE.

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I dedicate today's Veterans Day blog post to my own veteran, my late father, who was a TSGT and served two tours during World War II, the first with the "Big Red One" - the U.S. Army's First Division, and then later on with the Rainbow Division, 16th infantry, was an avid animal lover. I remember him talking about dogs and puppies they would befriend out in the field and on base. Here is a photo I share each Veterans Day of him with two of his canine pals on base.

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In conjunction with November being Epilepsy Awareness Month, here is our daily Epi-Tip:

 

Don't forget to visit our auction to benefit Canine Epilepsy Awareness HERE! 150+ (p)awesome items - something for everyone! Get your holiday shopping list and come on over and bid on items so your holiday gift can give back to two great Canine Epilepsy organizations ~ Canine Epilepsy Resources Epil-K9 Foundation "Emma's Fund" ~AND~ The Wally Foundation! 

Auction closes November 15, 2014 at 8 PM EST.