War Dogs - The Forgotten Hero's

For most of us, we think of our dogs as loving and loyal pets. However, for many soldiers who have fought in wars, their dogs were not only their companions, they were their lives.

As Remembrance Day drew closer, I began to reflect about all the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for the sake of peace and freedom. I also started to think about some of the documentaries and movies I have watched that has portrayed these courageous men and women. Over the years, I remembered seeing a couple of documentaries about how dogs played a big part in most of the world wars. Then it dawned on me, I have never heard anyone speak of or commemorate the many dogs who sacrificed their lives while serving and protecting their handlers and comrades. So, I felt it was time to give them the recognition they so well deserved.

As far back as 4000 years ago, dogs have served in the military along- side the brave men and women who have fought during the many wars and conflicts around the world. During every modern war, war dogs have served as trackers, scouts, sentries, messengers, attack dogs, mine detection dogs, tunnel dogs and rescue dogs. Sadly, tens of thousands of these brave creatures did not return from the battlefields. Some were killed in action, some were MIA (missing in action), while many were thought as “equipment” by the military, so they were often left behind.

It is estimated that these magnificent dogs were credited with saving the lives of over 10,000 soldiers during the Vietnam, war. That is only one war. What about the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Gulf War, Bosnia, Afganistan ? I am certain, there have been millions of these loyal and brave canines who were injured or killed in the line of duty.
Today, when the clock strikes 11.00 A.M, it is important to honor the brave men and women who have fought in our wars, but it is also time to honor the many war dogs who served along-side these fallen heroes. We need to recognize the heroism and contribution war dogs have made to soldiers in the field over the past and into the future.

Please, take the time to remember the War Dogs- The Forgotten Hero’s