REMEMBERING

THE DOGS OF WAR

MISHA, APRIL & CARI
	Misha, April & Cari pay tribute to the thousands of dogs that have been used throughout the centuries in man's battles against man. These dogs have died so that men may live to return to battle . . . and kill again.
Misha, April, Cari, Rico, RosieVi, Daisy2Legs & Luuceee invite you to learn about them and their lives with Canidlover & Vetteman/Mr. Scuba/CairnDaddy. Click on their picture to go to the ALLDOGSSITE MENU and decide which aspect of their lives you would like to visit -- if you have time, come back and try 'em all!
From PetSupport USA Canine Reference Library: "During the First World War, the Airedale would take to the battlefields; agile and tireless, he would thread his way through trenches and shell craters. He was used by the Germans and their allies as well to carry messages and detect approaching enemy soldiers." The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs. -- Madame Roland National Geographic Article, 25 July 2002 Veterans: Dogs of War Deserve a Memorial You become responsible for what you have tamed. -- Antoine de St.-Exupéry PLEASE CROSS POST TO OTHERS SO THESE CANINE HEROES ARE NOT FORGOTTEN Dedicated to the memory of all those who served . . . Italy, France, Russia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and Great Britain all have formal monuments and decorations dedicated to war dogs by the military organizations under which they served. War dogs in other countries have also been awarded medals and other forms of official recognition for serving their countries. Of all of the countries to employ the use and help of dogs during times of war, the United States military stands alone as the only world military to not formally acknowledge the contributions made by its canine soldiers. Due to a policy that has existed since World War II, and despite the protests of armed forces personnel, the United States military refuses to formally recognize the accomplishments of its canine soldiers, stating that such recognition is "demeaning to service personnel". Nearly 4000 dogs served in Vietnam and saved up to 10,000 American servicemen through their scouting and sentry duties. When withdrawing from Vietnam in 1973, the military classified the dogs as surplus equipment to be left behind during evacuation. Many dogs were left with South Vietnamese allies who were afraid of the dogs and didn't know how to handle them. Many of the dogs were euthanized, and many more perished at the hands of their inexperienced South Vietnamese handlers. Only a handful of Vietnam war dogs made it back to the United States. Many handlers and trainers who worked with these dogs were traumatized by having to leave their faithful companions behind, stating that the dogs saved their lives and often did more work than they did. Relegated to the status of military equipment rather than personnel, dogs in the U.S. military are drafted for life and are euthanized once they are deemed infirm and incapable of continuing their jobs. The military claims that these dogs are incapable of being retired to civilian life, despite the fact that police dogs, which receive identical training, are successfully and peacefully retired to loving homes and families upon retirement. As a result of the indifference shown toward war dogs, many of their accomplishments have been unjustly forgotten, or at best, relegated to the status of "trivia" by war buffs. Many of the records of war dogs and their handlers have been lost or destroyed, and the public remains largely unaware of the contributions by dogs in the armed forces. It is hoped through this email that these dogs will be remembered and appreciated for the services they provided for our armed forces and to our country. Please forward this to as many dog lovers as you can so that these canine heroes are not forgotten. Not Forgotten are . . . SARGE 1A43, German Shepherd, Vietnam PRINCE 55-M-9, German Shepherd mix, Vietnam LUKE, black Labrador Retriever, Vietnam PATCHES, Vietnam, one of the few war dogs given passage back home to the United States. NEMO, German Shepherd, wounded in Vietnam, one of the few war dogs given passage back home to the United States. TROY, Alaskan Malamute, served the U.S. Air Force in the early 1980's. LISLE, German Shepherd/Collie mix, served the U.S. Army in the early 1980's. THOR, German Shepherd, Desert Storm. BUNS, German Shepherd, Desert Storm. SMOKEY, German Shepherd, Desert Storm. BANDIT, German Shepherd, Desert Storm. ASTOR, German Shepherd, Desert Storm. PENNY, Beagle, Desert Storm. TOSCA, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm. NERO 304J, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm. CARLO, Belgian Malinois, Desert Storm. During a ceremony in which Carlo's handler received the Bronze Star for his service in Kuwait, his handler removed the medal from his own uniform and pinned it to Carlo's collar, saying, "Carlo worked harder than me. He was always in front of me". PASJA, Belgian Malinois, euthanized for being too old to continue serving. JACK, Bull Terrier mix, Union army, U.S. Civil War GENERAL, Saint Bernard, 14th North Carolina Infantry, Confederate Army, U.S. Civil War ROBERT LEE, Troupe Artillery, Confederate Army, U.S. Civil War STUBBY, Bull Terrier mix, WWI. The most decorated war dog in U.S. history. His stuffed remains, ashes, and medals are currently stored in a packing crate in a storage room of the National Museum of American History, which considers the dog an "oddity with little educational merit". NORMAN SADLER, Fox Terrier, fundraiser during WWII BOOTS, trick dog, fundraiser during WWII RONNIE, German Shepherd, WWII, U.S. Coast Guard Dog Patrol. BOB, Collie mix, WWII, led more forays into German territory than any other U.S. soldier in WWII, human or canine. BUSTER, WWII, killed in action. RICKY, Welsh Shepherd, parachuting scout dog, WWII DUKE, Doberman Pinscher, served in the Pacific during WWII CHIPS, German Shepherd/Collie/Husky mix, WWII, tank guard dog and the most decorated dog in WWII. Personally thanked for his services by General Eisenhower. Chips' military honors were removed once the military determined that decorating a dog was "demeaning to servicemen" DUG, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War BRUTE, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War CASEY, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War ROY, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War SHERI, Belgian Shepherd, Korean War MAC, first canine casualty in Vietnam PAL, scout dog, Vietnam TROUBLES, scout dog, Vietnam VALENTINE 3F38, German Shepherd, died in Vietnam BUCK, German Shepherd mix, Vietnam, killed in action. ROYAL 19X8, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action. DUKE 383M, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action. CLACKER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action. KREIGER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action. PONCHO, German Shepherd, Vietnam, killed in action. DUKE 645f, German Shepherd, Vietnam, missing in action. EBONY, German Shepherd, Vietnam, 47th Scout Dog Patloon. DUFFER, German Shepherd, Vietnam, 212th Sentry Dog Company SUZIE, German Shepherd, Vietnam. Her handler gave her his Bronze Star. BLACKIE 129X, left behind in Vietnam HEIDI, scout dog, left behind in Vietnam KRISTIANNA, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam WARRIOR, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam COMMANDER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam WINSTON, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam TIMBER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam CLIPPER, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam ORION, German Shepherd, left behind in Vietnam SMOKEY, German Shepherd, nicknamed "Flop,", left behind in Vietnam WOLF, Vietnam REX, German Shepherd, nicknamed "Punky", Vietnam YORK, German Shepherd, Vietnam DUKE, German Shepherd, Vietnam BOY, German Shepherd, Vietnam NASTY, German Shepherd, Vietnam ZORRO, German Shepherd, Vietnam MAX, German Shepherd, Vietnam KOENIG, German Shepherd, Vietnam BRIAN 4M4, German Shepherd, Vietnam KING, German Shepherd, Vietnam KIESER, German Shepherd, Vietnam HUDSONS KING, German Shepherd, Vietnam RUSTY 775E, German Shepherd, Vietnam IRKO, German Shepherd, Vietnam TIGER, German Shepherd, Vietnam INK, German Shepherd, Vietnam REBEL, German Shepherd, Vietnam CHIEF, German Shepherd, Vietnam SMOKIE 6X65, German Shepherd, Vietnam SLIM SN 84M6, German Shepherd, Vietnam PUDDLES 807M, German Shepherd, Vietnam JOUNK, German Shepherd, Vietnam BRUISER, German Shepherd, Vietnam ROGER 3M84, German Shepherd, Vietnam DUKE 847A, German Shepherd, Vietnam BUDDY A601, German Shepherd, Vietnam BIG BOY, German Shepherd, Vietnam TARZAN W195, German Shepherd, Vietnam BLITZ, German Shepherd, Vietnam GARDO 86XO, German Shepherd, Vietnam MACK, German Shepherd, Vietnam ERIC, German Shepherd, Vietnam FRITZ 584F, German Shepherd, Vietnam GEISHA A871, German Shepherd, Vietnam DOBE 7X49, German Shepherd, Vietnam REX 75M3, German Shepherd, Vietnam SHEPPY, German Shepherd, Vietnam CLYDE, German Shepherd, Vietnam CHEROKEE, German Shepherd, Vietnam SPOOK 235X, German Shepherd, Vietnam BUFFY 87M3, German Shepherd, Vietnam KNIGHT, German Shepherd, Vietnam SIRIUS, Yellow Labrador Retriever, WTC, 9/11 And countless other dogs, known and unknown, that served their country. If only the leaders of this nation could serve us so well and so honestly, maybe this world would be a better place. The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of [wo]men. -- Emile Zola (1840-1902) For more information & photographs of the above dogs, please visit Albert Buys' page on WAR & DOGS She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of her heart. You owe it to her to be worthy of such devotion. -- Unknown Visit SCOUT DOG WOLF'S PAGES for War Dog Information

	ALL CAIRNS, ALL THE TIME!
For dozens of CRUSA Rescue Mission and CRUSA Event Websites, go HERE

AIREDALES, AIREDALES & MORE AIREDALES! For dozens of AIREDALE Rescue Stories, Events & Fundraisers, go HERE

CHRISSI-ONE-EYE 4 APRIL 1999-25 MARCH 2013

Our CRUSA Foster, f/k/a Cricket, joined us in June 2009. She was an abused dog and never got over her issues, but we loved her as much as she would allow. We helped her journey across The Rainbow Bridge on 25 March 2013. Her story is HERE

IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain does keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done For this - the last battle - can't be won. You will be sad I understand But don't let grief then stay your hand. For on this day, more than the rest Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end. And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must now be you Who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close - we two - these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. -- Julia Napier, copyright 1999 My thanks to SandE Mancini for sending me this poem

CARI 12 DECEMBER 1998-24 DECEMBER 2012

Our First Cairn, Cari, was diagnosed with a worsening heart murmur & kidney disease, but it was the lymphatic cancer that forced us to help her journey across The Rainbow Bridge on 24 December 2012. Her In Memoriam site is HERE, with links to all her pages. Cari was the beginning of our Love for Cairns. We will miss you forever, Baby Girl.

IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain does keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done For this - the last battle - can't be won. You will be sad I understand But don't let grief then stay your hand. For on this day, more than the rest Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end. And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must now be you Who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close - we two - these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. -- Julia Napier, copyright 1999 My thanks to SandE Mancini for sending me this poem

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE SKRENNINGER PACK, LUUCEEE, YOU GOT SOME 'SPLAININ' TO DO!, WAS A MEMBER OF THE LUV CONNECTION 3 RESCUE MISSION ON 15 FEBRUARY 2009. HER STORY IS HERE.

Princess RosieVi the Shy was a member OF CRUSA's SENIOR SQUAD Rescue Mission, October 2006. More pictures of her Pretty in Pink costume are HERE

TWO MEMBERS JOINED THE SKRENNINGER PACK IN OCTOBER 2007

Princess Daisy2Legs was rescued by CRUSA in November 2006; her story begins HERE. Pictures of her in her Princess crown can be seen HERE

Click on the photo for . . . DITY DENNINGER IN MEMORIAM 22 SEPTEMBER 1921-4 JANUARY 2007

APRIL ?-2 DECEMBER 2006
Click on the picture to visit The Making of the Skrenninger Howliday ard 2006 - Behind the Scenes, with April's last pictures	She came to us in a snowstorm; she left us in a snowstorm . . . . On Friday, 1 December 2006, April came in from the blizzard and seemed to say, I can't go through another winter. She lay down in VetteMan's office and refused to get up or eat for the rest of the day & night.
On 2 December, we carried her to her vet, who took one look and said, "It's time . . . ." So the dog who was tied to the door of the Kenosha Humane Society, in a snowstorm; who came home with us in a snowstorm on 1 April 1993 . . . crossed the Bridge, leaving behind a snowstorm . . . and a family who loved her dearly.
Are we having FUN yet?	Now, April My Heart Dog again can hear, and see, and run . . . probably right over to Misha to bite her in the ear . . . April was the dominant dog . . . and the Nanny . . . now she's many happy memories.
IF I SHOULD GROW FRAIL If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain does keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done For this - the last battle - can't be won. You will be sad I understand But don't let grief then stay your hand. For on this day, more than the rest Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end. And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must now be you Who has to decide this thing to do. We've been so close - we two - these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears. -- Julia Napier, copyright 1999 My thanks to SandE Mancini for sending me this poem

RICO & CARI

After 22 years together, Canidlover & VetteMan/CairnDaddy were married on 22 May 2004. RICO & CARI, OUR RING BEARERS Click on Rico & Cari's picture to go to the TWO PARROTHEADS IN PARADISE wedding pages Misha (@RB) was with us in spirit; April guarded the house; Cari & Rico were Ring Bearers, in the lovely 'danas made by Mary Lynn D'Aubin with pockets in the 'danas for the rings. They behaved very well, and stayed for the entire reception.

RICOBADBOY
Rico the Rescue Cairn was added to our pack on 13 August 2003. Click on his picture to go to his website. Thanks to Kathie Rudy for adding the watercolor touch to Rico's picture!

MISHA 25 NOVEMBER 1987-14 SEPTEMBER 2001
Click on Misha's picture to go to her IN MEMORIAM pages.	In June 2001, Misha was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. The principal source of this cancer was never determined. On Friday, 14 September 2001, Misha crossed The Rainbow Bridge from her own beloved back yard.
This picture is how I will always remember our girl . . . always ready for a party (Will there be FOOD?); willing to be silly (If I wear this hat, will I get FOOD?), and that big black nose (Do I smell FOOD?). We will miss her forever and ever . . . .
I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives, and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time? -- Sir Walter Scott, 1822

Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative.

-- Mordecai Siegal