War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism

Rating:
Summary: A very worthwhile read.
Review: Before reading this book, I had no idea how much dogs contributed to our war effort or how many lives they saved. This book really taps into the spiritual nature and intuitive sense and amazing intelligence of dogs.

It points out (one of hundreds of fascinating facts) that the Viet Cong had tremendous respect for these dogs and their ability, and the VC made the dogs a priority target because they were such a threat.

Every handler says things like "our dog saved the lives of every man in the platoon that night..."

It covers dogs in war from World War I (1918) to Desert Storm (1990's).

Dogs in WWI were used as messengers and to find the dead and wounded on the battlefield. The US government even made gas masks for dogs, which was quite challenging, because dogs pant to give off heat and the masks had to be designed to compensate for that unique attribute.

"War Dogs" also points out that dogs have the capacity to sniff out land mines with a greater factor of reliability than modern equipment.

The stories are well written and you will never look at a dog the same way again.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent chronicle of an effective weapon in war
Review: Dogs were most likely the first animals to be domesticated and they are unsurpassed in their loyalty and ability to smell. There is also something about a ferocious dog that elicits an innate fear in humans. I have walked by fenced in businesses with guard dogs and they have barked at me. Even though a very sturdy and high fence separated us and I knew they were there, I started and involuntarily hastened my steps. This ability to intimidate humans is why they are effective in prisoner interrogations and why we have seen them used in the infamous abuse of prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison.
This book is a history of how dogs have been used in warfare by the United States military, with a concentration on their role in combat and as security guards. Their history as guards is exemplary, military warehouses with a chronic problem of loss of goods through theft saw it end immediately after guard dogs were posted. The combat history of dogs is also good, but is more varied, largely due to human incompetence rather than that of the dogs. Unfortunately, the U. S. military considers a dog to be a piece of equipment, so there is an organizational mentality that considers them to be interchangeable parts. Each is of course different in temperament and training, so attempting to use them outside their parameters led to failure. Nevertheless, the lives of thousands of American soldiers were saved by the actions of dogs and many have been killed or wounded in action.
Despite the exemplary history of dogs in war, the U. S. military does not allow dogs to be awarded military honors and those who are unable to continue in their military role are routinely destroyed. However, there are some that have led the movement to honor the contribution of dogs, either by monuments, cemeteries or notes in the official records. They are to be commended, because as long as they are used within their parameters, dogs have no peer.
Currently, the war is now in Iraq and we have seen pictures of Iraqi prisoners facing guard dogs. The ongoing war on terrorism and against drugs could not be fought without bomb and drug sniffing dogs, so they continue to contribute to the battles being waged by U. S. forces of all types. From this book, you will learn the contribution dogs have made to U. S. security, and it is a story that is well worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Everything you always wanted to know about War Dogs
Review: I am very glad to see this book back in print, after having been unavailable for several years. Mr. Lemish has written a wonderful history of service and sacrifice by dogs in service to this nation's defense. This is the benchmark against which all future books, written on the use of canines in military operations, will be measured. This study, thoroughly researched, with much newly declassified material, covers, in great detail, the story of American military's use of dogs from World War One up to Desert Storm. Although this is a historical study, filled with facts and figures, it is not dry reading by any means. On the contrary, "War Dogs; A History of Loyalty and Heroism", is filled with a wealth of interesting stories, anecdotes, and photographs that present the story of America's canine warriors in a smooth, easy to read style, that makes this book a very interesting, enjoyable read. Not "sugar coated", this book includes triumph and tragedy, the use and miss-use of American war dogs by a government that finally classified these giving, breathing creatures, as "equipment", subject to disposal. A fascinating,, yet sober, look at our both our governments relationship and the individual soldier's relationship with these wonderful creatures. This book is a must for dog lovers and military history buffs. A story, long overdue, finally told.

Rating:
Summary: Men and women's incompleteness with animals and environs.
Review: Mr. Lemish's book is an excellent work simply confirming the ongoing follies of humanity against animals particularly, the noble dog. Bringing "man's best friend" into an atmosphere of war was and still is, a ruinous undertaking. Not only to these war dogs and their respective souls but to the soul of man as well. I re-state the axiom, "man's best friend" has been terribly violated beyond description.

From a strategic point-of-view, it is one thing to have Spanish mastiffs unleashed against the defeated Indian tribes in the jungles of Ecuador, Peru or Cuba by the Conquistadors. It is quite another situation to lure German Sheperd dogs into the dangers of crossing land mines as they delivered messages for additional military support. Not to mention enemy machine-gun sniper fire etc.

The brighter aspect to this work presents the need for humans to at least acknowledge what I call, the "forced accomplishments" of the military canine. And of course, to stop using them for direct-enemy contact situations. Goodness, who knows what unjustified sufferance may have taken place against American, British and other military dogs in the Gulf War. Obviously, such information will never be divulged in full to the international public.

Simple-minded as this sounds, the elemental questions are: Why should dogs have to pay with their lives, I say "lives" again, for man's lacking sense of peace? Do dogs not have a perspective hence, a choice? In other words, what dog purposely dedicates itself to experiencing fear and pain? And, what does this say about mankind's lack of problem-solving the world's troubles to the point of bringing in creatures to take a bullet in the head for us or to lose limbs?

Mind-boggling indeed folks, mind-boggling indeed when it comes to the manipulation of loyalty.

The author has me thinking and feeling in conclusion that fighting for God and Country doesn't mean crushing your canine companion's heart-and-mind by the pressures of commercially-motivated wars. Quite un-Christian and un-Godly in general.

Christians, Atheists, Pagans and others all believe in some sort of Higher Power - we all must literally let the silence of the day or night - speak to us all after putting down this book. I can only look to little kids being the "better adults" in their natural relations to the whole animal world. From there, in one of many instances - we can learn to care a bit more. "War Dogs" should be read by everyone, not just the owners of their best and loving friend.

Rating:
Summary: Men and women's incompleteness with animals and environs.
Review: Mr. Lemish's book is an excellent work simply confirming the ongoing follies of humanity against animals particularly, the noble dog. Bringing "man's best friend" into an atmosphere of war was and still is, a ruinous undertaking. Not only to these war dogs and their respective souls but to the soul of man as well. I re-state the axiom, "man's best friend" has been terribly violated beyond description.

From a strategic point-of-view, it is one thing to have Spanish mastiffs unleashed against the defeated Indian tribes in the jungles of Ecuador, Peru or Cuba by the Conquistadors. It is quite another situation to lure German Sheperd dogs into the dangers of crossing land mines as they delivered messages for additional military support. Not to mention enemy machine-gun sniper fire etc.

The brighter aspect to this work presents the need for humans to at least acknowledge what I call, the "forced accomplishments" of the military canine. And of course, to stop using them for direct-enemy contact situations. Goodness, who knows what unjustified sufferance may have taken place against American, British and other military dogs in the Gulf War. Obviously, such information will never be divulged in full to the international public.

Simple-minded as this sounds, the elemental questions are: Why should dogs have to pay with their lives, I say "lives" again, for man's lacking sense of peace? Do dogs not have a perspective hence, a choice? In other words, what dog purposely dedicates itself to experiencing fear and pain? And, what does this say about mankind's lack of problem-solving the world's troubles to the point of bringing in creatures to take a bullet in the head for us or to lose limbs?

Mind-boggling indeed folks, mind-boggling indeed when it comes to the manipulation of loyalty.

The author has me thinking and feeling in conclusion that fighting for God and Country doesn't mean crushing your canine companion's heart-and-mind by the pressures of commercially-motivated wars. Quite un-Christian and un-Godly in general.

Christians, Atheists, Pagans and others all believe in some sort of Higher Power - we all must literally let the silence of the day or night - speak to us all after putting down this book. I can only look to little kids being the "better adults" in their natural relations to the whole animal world. From there, in one of many instances - we can learn to care a bit more. "War Dogs" should be read by everyone, not just the owners of their best and loving friend.

Rating:
Summary: A classic on the history of dogs in wars
Review: This is an intelligent and thoughtful treatment of a subject that goes to the heart of the ancient dog-human relationship. While there are many wonderful stories of war-dog heroism in this book, its greatest and unique contribution is its overall look at our use of dogs in wars since World War I. The book is compassionate without being sentimental, and historical without getting caught up in military jargon or minutiae. The writing is clear, straightforward, and fluid--it is a pleasure to read, and re-read. As an aminal writer, I have found it a valuable resource. The information is thorough and well documented, though never dry. You will be infuriated by some of the harebrained schemes the military (in the far-away upper levels) has cooked up over the years and touched by the depth of the caring that the trainers, veterinarians, and especially the handlers had, and continue to have, for their dogs. A wonderful book and a must for every serious student of the dog-human relationship.