The Dogs of War

Military working dogs gained widespread attention after the highly trained canine Cairo participated in the SEAL Team Six 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 from thirty-thousand feet up. And as astounding as that talent is, it's only one of the many things our four-legged soldiers can do.Dogs have had a place in the U.S.military from as early as the nineteenth century, but their importance and our treatment of them has evolved since then. In the aftermath of 9/11, their numbers have increased exponentially. The Dogs of War surveys the amazing range of jobs that military working dogs now perform, such as explosives detection, patrol, and hunting for enemy combatants. Lisa Rogak discusses the dogs' training, their equipment, and sets the record straight on those rumors of titanium teeth.In this book you'll find heart-warming stories of the deep bond that dogs and their handlers share, including missions both heroic and tragic that show the courage and devotion that human and canine soldiers have displayed on the battlefield. Rogask also writes about the physical and mental dangers that dogs face from military service; the canine path from service to retirement; and finally how soldiers and civilians can help the cause by fostering military puppies or adopting retirees. An incredible story of the largely unseen but vital role that dogs play in our armed forces, The Dogs of War is a must-read for animal lovers everywhere.