'Dogs Of War' Book Offers Glimpse Of Canine Soldiers (PHOTOS)

From Lisa Rogak:

Military working dogs first gained widespread attention after people learned that a dog named Cairo participated in the SEAL Team 6 mission that led to Osama bin Laden's death. Before that, few civilians realized that dogs served in combat, let alone that they could parachute out of helicopters and sniff out everything from bombs to bad guys.

Like millions of other Americans, New York Times bestselling author Lisa Rogak was fascinated by the photos of dogs leaping out of planes that surfaced days after the raid. She was compelled to dig deeper to find out more about these brave canine members of the military, especially since her son serves in the United States Army, Delta Company of the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion, and is currently stationed in Afghanistan.

Her research resulted in her latest book, The Dogs of War: the Courage, Love, and Loyalty of Military Working Dogs.

Here are some photos from the book that show the wide range of talents these dogs possess, as well as the unbreakable bonds they form with the soldiers who work with them.

All photos and captions courtesy of Lisa Rogak.

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Comments

[GirlUsingBrain]

05:20 PM on 11/14/2011

Working dogs are AMAZING! I can't believe they jump out of airplanes!

I was traveling cross country from Philadelphia to California. There was an air force dog handler with his dog on my flight. They were returning from Afghanistan. That dog was so good and so beautiful!

I just want these dogs to be protected and valued the way they should be.

Retired military dogs used to be euthanized or left on their own in the country in which they served.

Not anymore ... they are valued now and the public can actually adopt these dogs when they are retired:

http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/

[theshadowdo]

08:23 PM on 11/14/2011

I am so happy to hear that military dogs are no longer left behind. It was so heartbreaking to watch the evacuation of Viet Nam and to discover that the military dogs were left behind. It simply turned my stomach and I felt so ashamed of our country for that.

[Bill Hummel]

01:01 AM on 11/14/2011

Too bad there is not pride from many.

[aka62792]

08:54 PM on 11/13/2011

My husband had the highest security in the Air Force, he won't even tell me. Maybe he can ask some General if I can take care of a puppy ? I would love it !!!

However, if they wanted to take it away it would be DEFCON 5.

[sophie M]

06:07 PM on 11/13/2011

RIP all you angel doggies.
Sad .. that man has dragged you into, and used you, your devotion and love.
in wars.

[cadreamer7]

07:55 PM on 11/13/2011

Unique thought. I think most of the dogs used are German Shepherds and their loyalty to their master is something that is amazing and should be cherished. Yes it is sad that they are used this way.

[Thisbeautifulplanet]

11:23 AM on 11/13/2011

"Dog"and "war" are two words that do not match. Only human animals are foolish enough to wage wars.

[Deanna Dilley]

01:02 AM on 11/13/2011

Why is everyone so negative? These are working dogs just like any other. Though all my dogs and 2 cats over the years have merely been pets, I have known plenty that were workers. Having disabilities, I have known several people with guide/therapy dogs. My parents started out with therapy training with our almost 12 year old Golden Retriever, but when Cleo was 2, she developed a hypo thyroid condition, so we had to back out. She did receive her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award, before we found out. For a dog who will be 12 December 9th, she has more energy than she did 10 years ago. Also, my parents' neighbor has a Yellow Labrador, who sniffs out arson fires. Are you people going to turn on fire dogs next? How are they any different than the brave animals in this article? Think before you type.

[jd61795]

01:59 AM on 11/13/2011

My 4 year old son had gotten attacked by a 5 yr retired military dog this past aug. 2011. Owner didnt have him on a leash and once he had my sons arm in his mouth wouldnt respond to owners commands to let him go. I cant even begin to tell you what a nightmare it was and as we are going into the ambulance my 4 yr old son asks...am I going to die. A little less than 2 weeks later I get a call from the dept. of health stating....dog is well and healthy and back with his owner. My 4 yr old was a mess. Hospitalized..plastic surgery and traumatized. I thank god everyday that he is alive because it could of been alot worse. And to top it all off my son didnt see the dog coming...he got him from behind so all you dog lovers out there cant say he was teasing the dog or calling the dog to him. Dog wasnt leashed...no collar...and obviously following some command but not the command to let my son go. So I have absolutely no praise for this article.

[OdinsEye]

04:33 PM on 11/13/2011

"a­nd obviously following some command "

Not obvious. Assumption. Assumption by a distraught parent.

Before military working dogs (they include bomb sniffers, drug sniffers, guard, and tracking -- they are not all taught to attack) are released for life in a private home, they are thoroughly screened and evaluated for their temperment. Dogs which are considered a risk are not placed in private home life. Further, any MWD, retired or active duty, which is involved in any kind of violent incident is completely re-evaluated and is highly likely to be removed from private home life, even if the dog was not the initiator, and likely to be put down -- the military will err on the side of the person, not the side of the dog.

Further, I cannot find any news article regarding such an attack.

Therefore, I have to be pretty suspicious of your claim. Maybe the dog was not a MWD, but some other non-military working dog. Maybe your son did provoke the dog somehow. There is probably a lot of info you are not sharing.

[sabihala2]

09:01 PM on 11/12/2011

We need to let about 10 of these dogs loose in congress.

[sprngh2o]

09:15 PM on 11/12/2011

On Pennsylvania Ave

[EP1959]

09:27 PM on 11/12/2011

They'd likely sit at attention. Dogs know who to trust.

[k9kats09]

10:27 PM on 11/12/2011

Yes, we do!! and let them tear into the asses of the Republicans that only know how to vote NO and Fillibuster! They've not come up with ONE job, not one job idea, and they had the mantra through-out the entire 2010 campaigns---"Where are the jobs?" Talk about a do nothing Congress. They WILL go down in history as the worst, that accomplished NOTHING!

[poozybear]

08:45 PM on 11/12/2011

These photos are truly amazing, though I do have to question the author's comment that, prior to the Seal Team 6 mission, "few civilians realized that dogs served in combat." You'd have to be living under a rock to not know that war dogs have been in service since WWI. They are heroes, bless 'em all.

[OdinsEye]

10:44 PM on 11/12/2011

Fav'd but war dogs have been used since before the Roman Empire.

[poozybear]

11:20 PM on 11/12/2011

Even better! I stand corrected.

[bcmom]

04:33 PM on 11/13/2011

There are people living under rocks when it comes to animals. Spend a day at an animal shelter. There are people who have come into the shelter and have no idea what spay and neuter is. The sad part is that ignorance is more prelevant in the U.S. than any of us can comprehend.

[poozybear]

05:01 PM on 11/13/2011

Oh, I hear ya. I used to be a vet technician when I was younger, but quickly realized it wasn't the career for me. There were days when I would go home and beat my head against a wall. You can spend your life trying to educate those people, but they just won't hear it. Veterinary medicine is a VERY frustrating career. Takes a special person.

[Moose Luck 99]

07:28 PM on 11/12/2011

LOOK HE IS STICKING A CHEMTRAIL UP THE DOGS!!! :(

http://aircrap.org/chemtrails-major-australian-food-bowl/332965/

[Yanni Sarah]

04:44 PM on 11/12/2011

It's very telling that we have more dogs in the military that would give their lives, than we have liberals who would give theirs for their country. I give the dogs more respect.

[donnablinger]

05:41 PM on 11/12/2011

I will say this again, 'who died and left you in charge of stupid'?

[wilkesgm]

08:24 PM on 11/12/2011

I don't happen be stupid and neither is Yanni. I think it's a valid point. Your answer it typical of leftists - ad hominem insults. You're fat. You're stupid. So, here's the real point that you wish to deflect. Any semblance of patriotism is regularly attacked by the left. Then they try to cover their true sentiments with completely disengenuous pandering. Sorry, it doesn't work. We know who you are - weasels with lipstick. If left to you, the Jews would have fried in Auschwitz to the last child - because it would take guts to hit the beaches of Normandy. You are anti-war, you lament Hiroshima...because you know nothing of the Rape of Nanking. You lament the destruction of Sadaam Hussein. You lament the passing of Osama Bin Laden, but praise your milk-toast of a leader because he authorized an assassination. So which is he? Is he a cold blooded killer or the candidate who was anti-war? Isn't he exactly like the troops that Dick Durban called Nazis and John Kerry called "terrorists?" Obama commanded them to kill an unarmed man because it was politically expedient. If he'd caught him alive, he'd have to put him in Gitmo...that little place that Obama said he'd close.

[dnnyshdy]

08:28 PM on 11/12/2011

Don't worry you're still the king of it.

[hornedcog]

06:16 PM on 11/12/2011

It's very telling when someone believes that a dog is the willing participant in the wars that we humans wage. I have much more respect for dogs than that.

[wilkesgm]

08:25 PM on 11/12/2011

No you don't. You paid to have a veterinarian mutilate your dog for your own convenience - without the dog's permission. That's what spaying and neutering is, by the way - the destruction of healthy tissue...the classic medical definition of mutilation.

[okokok]

04:37 PM on 11/12/2011

"The more I know of people, the more I love my Dog."

[wilkesgm]

08:28 PM on 11/12/2011

Why? Dogs do not help others of their own kind. They do not travel to South America to repair the terribly cleft palates of infants. They do not feed dogs they've never met by gathering and preserving edibles specifically to share. Your glib comment is mindless. These dogs help kill bomb makers - who blow up innocent men, women and children. Do you have a problem with that?

[EP1959]

09:23 PM on 11/12/2011

Your post is nonsensical. Do you know what dogs are capable of? They can be as altruistic as good people and quite often are, but are pretty bad at driving cars and flying planes in order to get to South America.

[k9kats09]

10:16 PM on 11/12/2011

wilkesgm----you are talking out of BOTH sides of your mouth in the above box!! On one hand you more or less call dogs useless for what they DON'T do, and then turn around and say what dogs ARE good for. Your ENTIRE statement is mindless.

[leobeverly]

04:35 PM on 11/12/2011

Few people realized dogs were used in combat? In Vietnam we had quite a few K-9 teams in my unit. At night the NVA and VC were pretty elusive in the bush but the Dogs(usually German Shepards)would always hit on them no matter how hard they tried to cover their scent. The Dogs would usually be used for detection ,not as attack dogs unless their handler were wounded or killed. We had all Shepards in our unit so I asked one of the Handlers"How come there's no Dobermans?" He stated that even though Dobermans were great guard dogs they become just too excitable during a fire fight where as Shepards were more apt to follow commands in such a senerio.

[Joy Huskerson]

04:31 PM on 11/12/2011

I am reading this book now, almost done...it is well written and gives a whole new side to our military. These dogs bring so much to their handlers and the company assigned, as well keeping their troops safe. The dogs looks at it as 'fun' and love to work. I know police dogs LOVE their reward for a good job....it may only be a soggy red ball, but boy howdy, they get all excited getting that soggy red ball! Stay safe troops, both 2 legged and 4 legged! God Bless

[k9kats09]

10:17 PM on 11/12/2011

Yay and Amen to that Joy Huskerson!!

[herrahsdad]

04:05 PM on 11/12/2011

Animals have served man for centuries. We have dolphins, dogs, and others animals that serve man in very dangerous situations. You think maybe it might be time to take care of the planet that has given us all life. Pay the animal kingdom back for all that they have given us by taking care of their world.

[GOODDOC1]

07:18 PM on 11/12/2011

Did you know the only female Marine awarded the Purple Heart (twice!) for wounds sustained in combat was Ssgt. Reckless -- a horse! She wasn't in the Calvary, either. (www.sgtreckless.com) Some heroes have feet, some paws, some wings, and some have hooves! My thanks to ALL our Veterans for your service!

[herrahsdad]

08:12 PM on 11/12/2011

Amen to that!

[k9kats09]

10:18 PM on 11/12/2011

INDEED! It takes all kinds! God Bless 'em all!

[rockymtnal]

04:02 PM on 11/12/2011

One thing few can fathom is the bond between the MWD and his or her handler. Having a partner like Sheba (L230, for those who understand) helped me maintain some semblance of sanity during those dark nights on a hilltop far from home and family. She will never be forgotten.