K9 Veterans Day - Honoring Our Four-Legged Heroes on a FiveSibes Flashback Friday

"My eyes are your eyes to watch and 
protect you and yours. My ears are your
ears to hear and detect evil minds in   

the dark. My nose is your nose to scent   
the invader of your domain. And so you   
may live, my life is also yours."    
~The K9 Promise by Author Unknown

On K9 Veterans Day - held annually on March 13 - we honor our Canine Service Dogs. Today, they serve in many fields - including Military, Police, Search and Rescue (SAR), and as Therapy dogs. On this Flashback Friday, we are sharing a portrait I took of my Husky "Wolf" a few years back, as well as a look back at our canine veterans.

According to K9 Veterans Day Org. Inc., "K9 Veterans Day Org. believes that all canines should be recognized regardless of the field of Service that they are in. We believe in the dissemination of information to the world as to the:

• Sacrifices canines have made and continue to make, insuring each countries safety and freedom
• The services that canines provide in the private sector
• The proper training and health care necessary for their well being."

There are many working breeds of dog who have served 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?  

Siberian Huskies make wonderful Therapy Dogs?

Siberian Huskies and their cousin the Malamutes, were among the working breeds who served as war dogs during World War II?

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.

Here is a video tribute to K9 Vets and the Founder of K9 Veterans Day, Joe White:  

To All the K9 Heroes & Service Dogs ~ We Thank You and Your Handlers for Your Loyal Service.

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I dedicate today's blog post to my my late father, whose 95th Birthday would have been yesterday, March 12. He 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. Here is a photo of him on base with two of his K9 companions circa 1941-1942. 

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Flashback Fridays are brought to you by us - the FiveSibes - and our new co-hosts, Love is being owned by a Husky (who are currently hosting a giveaway, so check it out!), each Friday. We hope you'll find a photo or video from Memory Lane, post it, and link up to our blog hop each week! If you don't catch it on Friday, you can link up any time during the week!