See 'Dogs of War' photoset here.
I'm not totally sure of just what my reactions are to this series of photographs.
As I said in a previous entry, these animals didn't ask to come into this world and in the case of War Dogs it's all they have known, so I guess they treat it all as a good game. They are well fed, well looked after and cared for by their handlers. In many cases, the dogs stay with their handler when they reach retirement age. It's the principle that concerns me; making use of a dogs unique sensory system as a tool or weapon.
In rescue scenarios there is probably no better tool, but as an assistance in the scenarios depicted I ask what right man has to expose these animals to dangers that under normal circumstances they would never encounter.
As with other things, Man chooses to go to War; the dogs have no option.
I had a close encounter with one such during my time in the RAF. We were on a temporary detachment from Leuchars to Kinloss and I had occasion to make a night-time visit the Nimrod Servicing Unit on the other side of the airfield from where we where operating. I parked my Landrover just off the darkened taxiway and walked across the grass towards the hangar. A voice out of nowhere called out. "Stand perfectly still..."
I complied knowing that the RAF Police on the site were armed.
"LIe face down arms and leg stretched."
Again I complied.
Next thing I knew I had 100lbs+ of drooling, slavering, but perfectly quiet GSD standing firmly on my back, front paws on my shoulders, back feet planted firmly on my ass and his head just a couple of inches away from my neck.
The handler called the dog to one side with the word "Guard."
The handler then instructed me to take my F1250 ID card and place it on the ground in front of me.
After checking my face against the mug shot on the card and my reasons for being there, he called the dog back, and proceeded to give me a lecture for not using the main hangar entrance. As luck would have it we were of the same rank; I just agreed that it was stupid of me and so, under escort, he took me into the hangar. I asked the handler if I could visit the compound the following day. He agreed and then departed. Nuff said...
Off duty, the following afternoon I paid a visit to the dog compound, met up with the handler and he showed me around, including introducing me to his dog. I dropped down onto my knees to his height and if a dog can smile and say "hi" then thats exactly what he did. His tail resembled a propellor rather than a pendulum, then it was feet up on my shoulders long wet licks and a general rough and tumble in the sand of the compound. I went to see him every day after that until it was time to return to Leuchars.
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