A Memorial Day Tribute to Military Dogs

"Guardians of the Night" (author unknown) is a touching poem about military dogs (or police dogs, in some versions), which is read at most memorial ceremonies for them after they die. It leaves very few eyes dry, no matter how many times people have heard it. I really wanted to include it in my book Soldier Dogs, but it didn't work out. 

I'm happy to bring it to you here today, on Memorial Day, the day we honor all those who have served, including four-legged heroes, who richly deserve the attention and praise. Military working dogs save so many lives and help so many troops who just need a friendly face to help boost their morale.

The poem's stanzas are interspersed with photos from my book and my Soldier Dogs Facebook page. For full effect, you might want to read the poem first and go back and read the photo captions. It may not be high poetry, but if you've ever known a dog's love and loyalty, you can begin to imagine the bond these dogs and handlers have, and you will feel this poem to your core.

We salute these intrepid dog teams -- and to those still in harm's way, we wish you a safe return.

"Guardians of the Night"

Military working dog Rex looks tough, but he was a gentle giant. His handler, Army Sgt. Amanda Ingraham, says he would have protected her with his life, but he was otherwise such a sensitive, sweet fellow that the military decided he'd never be a patrol dog. So he served as a specialized search dog, sniffing for IEDs, usually off leash. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Ingraham)

Trust in me, my friend, for I am your comrade. 

I will protect you with my last breath. 

When all others have left you and the loneliness of the night closes in, I will be at your side.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Christine Campos and her military working dog, Bico. During deployment, dogs and handlers often spend nearly 24/7 together. Some say deployments are the best time in a military dog's life because they get to be with their best friends around the clock. (Photo courtesy of Christine Campos)

Together we will conquer all obstacles, and search out those who might wish harm to others. 

All I ask of you is compassion, the caring touch of your hands. 

It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life, and spend my nights unrested. 

Although our days together may be marked by the passing of the seasons, know that each day at your side is my reward.

Marine Sgt. Mesa, Sgt. AJ Neito, and MWD Lucy take a break from the heavy action in Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of Rosendo Mesa)

My days are measured by the coming and going of your footsteps. 

I anticipate them at every opening of the door. 

You are the voice of caring when I am ill. 

The voice of authority when I’ve done wrong.

Army Sgt. Elisabeth Wienke embraces her military working dog, Chance, during a grueling day of canine trials. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)  

Do not chastise me unduly, for I am your right arm, the sword at your side. 

I attempt to do only what you bid of me. 

I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.

Marine dog handler Cole Johnson and military working dog Lex, a combat tracker, during a mission near the town of Garmsir, in Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of Cole Johnson)

Together you and I shall experience a bond only others like us will understand. 

When outsiders see us together their envy will be measured by their disdain.

Air Force Sgt Larry Brown and his dog Oakley. Dogs and handlers always have each other's backs. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)

I will quietly listen to you and pass no judgement,

nor will your spoken words be repeated. 

I will remain ever silent, ever vigilant, and ever loyal.

MWD Fenji at the memorial at Camp Leatherneck for her handler, Marine Cpl. Max Donahue. (Photo by Chris Willingham)

And when our time together is done and you move on in the world,

Remember me with kind thoughts and tales, for a time we were unbeatable. 

Nothing passed among us undetected.

When a MWD dies, the memorial is a solemn, sad occasion. The dog's bowls are overturned to show she won't be needing them any more. The kennel door is left open to show the same, and her harness and leash are hung up. In addition, this poem is read by someone who cared about the dog. The dog's handlers often can't get through it, so someone else reads it. (Photo courtesy of Emily Pieracci)

If we should meet again on another street I will gladly take up your fight.

I am a military working dog, and together we are guardians of the night.

MWD Danita in Iraq. She made it back from this deployment, unlike many other military dogs, who will continue leading the way into some of the world's most dangerous places - all for a toy and a word of praise. (Photo courtesy of Richard Crotty)

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Play Santa Claus to Canine Heroes this Memorial Day (and Beyond)

Stubby, World War I hero. His owner smuggled him across the ocean and onto the battlefield. There this untrained fellow saved lives numerous times and had an extraordinary effect on morale.

Four-legged US military heroes have been saving lives even before they were even an official part of the military in World War II. They’ve been used for  protection and sentry duty – alerting soldiers to dangers well before they could sense it themselves. They’ve been trackers, messengers, sled ambulance pullers, and first-aid deliverers. As scouts, they’ve excelled at sniffing the air and alerting their handlers to snipers and other hidden enemies.

These days sniffing out explosives is a key military dog job. Trained dogs can detect up to 19,000 combinations of deadly chemicals. No mechanical sensor can even come close. General David Petraeus, the top American military commander behind the Iraq troop surge and head of U.S. forces in Afghanistan for the past year, has praised their service: “The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine.”

What makes these soldier dogs strive to be all that they can be? In many ways, they’re motivated by what motivates dogs everywhere: a desire to please, a pat on the head, and being told “good boy!” To Cairo, the dog who helped apprehend Osama bin Laden earlier this month — and in fact to every military working dog (MWD) — that approval is pure gold.

Ron Aiello and his scout dog, Stormy, in Vietnam. They never received a care package from a stranger, but he and his organization are trying to make sure that doesn't happen to deployed MWD teams today.

“Military working dogs live for love and praise from their handlers,” Ron Aiello, President of the US War Dogs Association and a former Marine Scout dog handler during the Vietnam War, told Dogster. “The work is all a big game, and then they get that pet, that praise. They would do anything for their handlers. And their handlers would do anything for them.”

There is no official medal honoring canine war heroes. The Pentagon says medals are only for humans, although those lobbying for dogs to be medal recipients would be very happy with a special medal just for canines. The US War Dogs Association has stepped up to the plate and made unofficial medals honoring deserving war dogs, but Aiello says it’s important for the government to officially recognize these dogs. (Dogs have been given medals, but they have usually been rescinded because of the no-medals-for-dogs policy.) You can find out more info about lobbying for an official canine medal on the War Dogs website.

Of course, such a medal would be more for the handlers’ morale and for the good of MWDs in general. MWDs, as with most dogs, would much prefer chewing on a satisfying toy.

Brenda, who served most of her life in the 341st Security Forces Squadron

Which brings me to the reason for this article. If you have a few spare dollars and want to put the wag in an MWD’s tail and make his or her handler happy, consider making a donation to the US War Dogs Association. You’ll be helping to provide cherished care packages the organization sends out to deployed handlers.

These care packages mean the world to handlers overseas. Often it’s not so much what’s in them: “The boxes could be almost empty,” Aiello told Dogster. “It’s the fact that a stranger cares enough and recognizes them and wants to send them something.”

Aiello knows this first hand. When he was in Vietnam, there were 42 people in his unit. Thirty of them were dog handlers. “We never saw a care package from a stranger,” he says. “I decided I‘m not going to let that happen to these dog teams now.” Thus the canine care package was born.

Aiello’s group fields requests for anything from cooling vests for dogs working in the heat (USDWA recently ordered 48 to the tune of $130 each), to doggy ear muffs that protect sensitive ears in aircraft, to dog boots that keep paws from being singed on the scorching ground. Handlers sometimes request basic gear, like dog harnesses, because it can take the US War Dogs Association much less time to get items to soldiers than it takes the military, says Aiello.

USWDA volunteers putting together care packages

Even if a handler doesn’t make a request, the association will do its best to send a basic care package that includes toothpaste and toothbrush for both handler and dog, eye and ear wash for the dog, deodorant and shaving cream for the handler, beef jerky for the handler, treats and toys for dogs, checkers and other games for handlers, dog boots, a cooling vest, or cooling scarf for handler.

Aiello estimates his nonprofit group spends about $80,000 per year on care package items and shipping to deployed soldiers and their four-legged partners. To keep up this level of assistance, donations of any size are welcome. If you have a few extra dollars and want to help make life a little better for a deployed soldier and dog, you can make a donation on the US War Dogs Association website.

Hooah!

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