Honoring the Dog and a Giveaway!

(Image courtesy of this site)

Can you wrap your brain around the countless ways that dogs serve humanity? I can't. The love and devotion of a dog never ceases to amaze me. Just this past Sunday, ABC's show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," featured a story of a dog that saved his family from their burning house. Remarkable, though some might argue that he was trying to save his environment, his home, his comfort? But for anyone who has ever loved a dog... we know that to simply NOT be the case. Dogs love with self sacrificing love and often put themselves between the people they care for and any harm that might come to them. True of our pets. True throughout time. True even today. As Veteran's Day approaches I always think back to the countless ways that dogs have served man in times of war. Dogs have acted as servants, friends, and therapists throughout all conflict in the history of mankind. Anywhere a human goes a dog will go too... regardless of peril or fear. Many organizations exist that honor the memory of our dog veterans, collect their stories for future generations and aid in bringing dogs home from their service so far away!
At Eglin Air Force Base Florida, The Military Working Dog Monument stands as a testimony to dogs who were commissioned members of the military and served alongside their military handlers. In an effort to honor these dogs and handlers, this association maintains the monument while collecting and archiving the stories of their service.

The U.S. War Dogs Association honors service dogs through the collection of historical accounts and photos. Both military dogs and companion dogs in war zones are highlighted in the association's efforts.

And as many of you might have heard the SPCA has a sub-organization called "Operation Baghdad Pups" that aids soldiers in bringing their precious companions home from war zones. Sometimes a dog (or cat) becomes an informal mascot and friend to an entire camp of soldiers and often a soldier makes a bond with a found and discarded pet. In any case the morale, support and devotion a pet can offer a soldier is too important to discard. Because of the aid from the SPCA and other private organizations, the U.S. military is now very aware of the absolute moral obligation we have to those animals who are saving the lives of deployed soldiers! The love of an animal can be a lifeline like no other to those living with unimaginable stress.
Tomorrow I want highlight another dog/veteran related organization with an amazing mission!

Will you join me tomorrow?

I hope so. And to show my appreciation I want to offer a little token of my appreciation. For anyone who comes back tomorrow on Veteran's Day... and leaves a comment on this or the next post... I will make a donation to tomorrow's highlighted organization in your name, your fur friend's name, or the name of your hero!
The winner will be drawn, by random" pawing" on Sunday November 14th at midnight EST! Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to helping canine heroes with you by my side!