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JANUARY 2014 DOGGIERESCUE.COM MAGAZINE


Stories continue to surface about the unending loyalty of a dog to its human pack. So fittingly now the Australian War Memorial in Canberra has started to catalogue these stories, along with other records of animal acts of bravery. Australian Military forces enlisted the help of man’s best friend during World War I when German shepherds were given the task of watching over valuable military equipment. In Vietnam, the Australian Task Force included dogs in combat tracker teams. Their mission was to search the jungle for the enemy, and eleven were left behind, as it was against policy to return a service animal to Australia.


In 1943, a special medal was created to honour the dogs that have fought and fallen in combat. Eighteen canine comrades have


so far been awarded the Dickin Medal — the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross — for their acts of heroism and bravery. The medal, a bronze medallion that


bears the words 'For Gallantry', was first received by three pigeons that served in the Royal Air Force during WWII. White Vision, Winkie and Tyke were honoured for delivering messages that contributed to the rescue of a ditched aircrew.


So what makes the canine useful in the art of war? A dog’s qualities of loyalty, intelligence and devotion are highly valued in their role as pets, and these traits are also attractive to the armed forces. There are many heart-warming stories of dogs that have been smuggled back to Australia after serving our soldiers overseas.


It is hoped that all of them will find secure homes post service- at least as secure as my lazy five have found here!!


DOGGY DAY SPA “ Do it yourself ”


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