Military Working Dog Gabe: The Street Dog
“That yellow lab over there has thirty days. If he isn’t adopted he will have to be euthanized.”
Labrador retriever Gabe pawed at the chain-linked fence with his tattered yellow paws. He looked up at the man who was standing over him and bellowed a thunderous series of defiant barks.
“Kill me? Are you crazy man? Just let me back outside to run the streets,” thought Gabe. “I wasn’t hurting anyone out there.”
He looked around at the other dogs locked up like he was and sighed. He was in the “big dog house” like a common criminal. They had taken his freedom and now they wanted to take his life?
He cried out in pain and plopped himself down on the hard concrete floor. His low weight and dirty body didn’t hurt. His heart did. At first he didn’t understand why his family had abandoned him. Why was he forced to run the streets scavenging and begging for food? But eventually he accepted it and embraced the life of a street dog. Gabe was a survivor.
He was smarter than most and learned to survive quite well. He might have had to fight off coyotes and other stray dogs, but now it was even worse—he was a prisoner locked in the county animal shelter facing euthanization. It appeared that Gabe’s luck had run out.
He knew he shouldn’t have trusted that man in the uniform who offered him a treat. But he was hungry, wet and cold, and the man had seemed so kind. He licked his lips just thinking of that milk bone. He had a weakness for milk bones.
“Darn it, Gabe, you should have run as soon as you saw his white van with blue markings. You should have known he was a dog catcher,” he thought.
After an unknown time in the “clink” with Gabe getting closer and closer to being euthanized, he finally got a lucky break. Gabe was rescued by the Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue Organization.
For some reason his caretaker recognized something special in him. Gabe wasn’t sure if it was the fact that he had lots of energy, could run fast or possessed a strong nose.
What he didn’t know was that his caretaker saw the survival instincts in him, exactly the skill you need in a dog to deploy overseas with our troops and sniff out explosives! His caretaker sent him to the Army. 
Gabe had never thought of himself as a soldier, but knew that many young Americans join the Service for a chance at a better life. He just never thought that this option was available to him. He knew this opportunity was a blessing and promised himself that he would “Be all that he could be” as a four-legged Soldier. He trembled with excitement and dreamt of two square meals a day, a warm place to sleep and belly rubs and hugs from his future two-legged soldier friends.
Three weeks later Gabe was one of the two dogs paired with his handler, Army Staff Sergeant Chuck Shuck. Chuck and Gabe entered the brand new Specialized Search Dog Program at the Department of Defense Dog School at Lackland Airbase in Texas. They were joined by a second dog, a handsome German Shepherd named Doki. It is normal for a Specialized Search Dog candidate to enter the school with two dogs to see which dog works and bonds best for that handler. The handler is allowed to chose his dog at the end of training.
Chuck fell in love with Gabe and they developed a deep bond by the time school ended. But there was a small problem: Doki was a more effective explosive search dog than Gabe. Chuck knew he was heading to Iraq and would be employing his dog to find real explosives. He worried over the decision but in the end chose Doki over Gabe as his dog. Chuck would have to leave Gabe behind in Texas.
Gabe was heartbroken and went into a deep depression. He had blown his chance.
“I’m just having trouble adjusting to the Army life.”
“Finding explosives is hard.”
“Doki is just better than me.”
A hundred excuses went through his mind, but he knew there was one last chance to prove himself. Chuck, Gabe and Doki were headed to the premier Explosive Detector Dog Team training facility in the country at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.
On the plane to Yuma, Gabe promised himself that he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip through his paws. There would be to more excuses. He would channel the skills he learned running the streets into finding explosives.
A year after Gabe thought he was heading to euthanization he was on an airplane headed to Iraq with his best pal Chuck. Gabe had shocked everyone at Yuma and dominated the certifications trials. He received a perfect score on the certification, much to the elation of his best pal Chuck. Nothing got by Gabe.
He was now heading to Mosul, Iraq with Chuck to sniff out explosives and save soldiers lives! He was no longer Gabe the Street Dog. Now he was Gabe the United States Army Specialized Search Dog. Gabe was a survivor.
Who thinks their “Pound Puppy” would make a good explosive finding dog?
Please tell us why.
This is Part I of Chuck and Gabe, The Street Dog. Stay tuned for stories of their exploits in Iraq!
Part II Gabe: Pound Puppy Turned Military Working Dog is now published
Note: Gabe has his own Facebook page and you can friend this fantastic fella. Just click on his name above.
Click here to subscribe and receive my weekly blog posts directly to your email. You don’t want to miss a thing!
25 comments on “Military Working Dog Gabe: The Street Dog”
Leave a Reply
I’ve been following Gabe on Facebook. I’m so glad he’s home, safe and loved by his family. He deserves the best after what he has given to all of us. Thanks. As usual, great post.
-
Kevin Hanrahan says:
Thank you Barbara! I couldn’t agree more with you about our pal SSD Gabe. He is such an inspirational story and I’m excited to tell some tales of his adventures in Iraq.
What an amazing, heartwarming story, Kevin! I didn’t know Gabe was a homeless dog before this article! From what I’m told by Lackland’s “Doc” Hilliard, who has been at the forefront of MWD procurement for years it is extremely rare for a “civilian” dog to be able to become a MWD. Most times people try to donate a dog, the dog doesn’t come close to passing the tests.
Thank you for sharing this important story, Kevin. Will be tweeting etc!
-
Hi Maria. I read that part of your awesome book yesterday and chuckled because I knew this story was coming out today. I believe you quoted 2010 stats which makes sense…..not every dog has the “drive” to be an explosive finding rock star like SSD Gabe. When you roam the streets such as Gabe was forced to do you learn to become a “survivor”!
http://www.amazon.com/Soldier-Dogs-Maria-Goodavage/dp/0525952780
Frankie says: … I am so glad to have come across this wonderful story of SSD Gabe … I have rescued many dogs in my lifetime, and currently have 6 … my son is a USMC MWD Handler, currently in Afgh with IDD Sgt Thor … this story warms my heart … I look forward to more of your stories, and will follow him on f/b …. there are so many sad/bad stories out there …. this one gives me hope for more pound puppies … In all honesty … those who have ‘had’ to survive on their own, make wonderful pets … and it sounds like they make wonderful Hero’s, too!!!
Thank you!!
-
Hi Frankie!. Wow 6..you must be a true dog lover with a huge heart! I’m glad you liked the story and I hope to tell some additional tales of Gabe’s adventures. Awesome about your son…a couple of true American heroes! If you think of it let him know I would love to talk with him and get him and SSD Thor on the site. We could use some MARINES on the site as well!
Hi Kevin,
It is very interesting to see writing in the view point of a dog. I remember growing up friends or our family had a dog that went into the military. Prayers for Gabe and is friend and all the troops in their journey and voyage for we all have different destinations. Thank you for sharing your writing passions and view points. In Arizona I am waiting to see if a bill went through regarding cruelty to animals and ranching business. To all the fighters in our fights of different hats live on. Keep roaring.
Adriana Johnson
-
Thanks so much Adriana! I just think it is so cool how Gabe overcame all the adversity in his life! He so deserves all the recognition he receives.
Frankie says: Thank you for your message back Kevin … I will definitely tell Joey about you … this is his 3rd dog he has worked with (the first one he trained with, ended up being a heat casualty, Sgt Mmax, and his second dog that he deployed with, ended up with a degenerative tendon problem, she was Sgt Wren, and the one he patrols with now, is Sgt Thor) … it’s an awesome story behind it all, actually …
I had the greatest honor, to meet one of them, Sgt Wren …. there is nothing like meeting the ‘one’ appointed to protect your son …. they are amazing …. and they are saving lives … every single day!!! I am so proud of all of these dogs and their handlers …. they are making a difference ….
Thanks again!!
-
My pleasure Frankie. I’m surrounded by dog teams this week as we are conducting a senior leader training session in Yuma Proving Grounds (Run by a Marine Gunnery Sergeant). It is the premier pre- deployment military working dog training facility in the country. I’m so humbled to be around them all!
Kevin, a lovely inspiring story. You do realise, don’t you, that with a bit of tweaking this is the sort of story that could end up in Hollywood? We’ve had horses in war films, but not a dog as far as I’m aware. What makes this an extra special sort of story is that these are normal dogs who are chosen and trained to do some of the most extraordinary and dangerous front line work. The combination of animal, human and war interest would create powerful drama, while at times heartwarming humour. Your stories are hovering right over it. Get in there and don’t let someone else beat you to it.
-
Thanks Jerry. I fully expect my novel will become at movie…… if you aren’t dreaming you aren’t living right? Seriously though…… the novel has major movie potential.
I’ve written the greatest love story of all….. Soldiers and their dogs.
Lycia says: Love the story, very well written, but I have a question,with Gabe being chosen – what happens to the ones that aren’t?In this case Doki?
-
Dogs are generally recycled and give other chances with different military handlers. If they can’t seem to make it then they are offered to police departments and other government agencies. If there is no interest or the dog just doesn’t seem to be a good candidate as a working dog they are adopted out to folks who volunteer to give them loving homes. I have info about adopting MWD at the bottom left of this site.
From what I understand, Doki was offered to a local police department and that is where he works now.
Lycia says: Ahh, I see, thank you. We don’t have this sort of programme here (in New Zealand), so it’s been really good learning about it and on FB through Gabe’s pages. It’s neat they are adopted if things don’t work out 
Thank you for explaining it.
rishipa 1,763
-
My pleasure! Have a great day.
[...] is Part III of this series. You might wish to read Part I (Gabe beats euthanization and becomes a MWD) or Part II (Gabe travels to Iraq and prepares to jump [...]
[...] Military Working Dog Gabe: The Street Dog | | Kevin HanrahanKevin …Mar 12, 2012 … Another sad Gabe 240×300 Military Working Dog Gabe: The Street Dog He cried out in pain and plopped himself down on the hard concrete … [...]
[...] Military Working Dog Gabe: The Street Dog Part I [...]
[...] “Gabe the Street Dog.”Before he was Gabe the 2012 AHA Hero Dog and hobnobbing with Miss America and Betty White, he was [...]
Lucia Migrditchian says: Love your stories. Mostly cuz I have 2 labs and grew up with a bunch of mutts:) I can tell you like what you write about. Nice. Keep putting this stuff out. It inspires to appreciate. And reaches out.
-
Thank you Lucia!
[...] Military Working Dog Gabe: The Street Dog Part I [...]
[...] you wish to learn more about Gabe you can read the three pieces I wrote about his story. Start here or skip below to any [...]
[...] not convinced? Then check out Gabe. He was a Texas street dog, abandoned by his family, and eventually caught by the dog catcher and [...]
Leave a Reply
My Tweets
I’ve been following Gabe on Facebook. I’m so glad he’s home, safe and loved by his family. He deserves the best after what he has given to all of us. Thanks. As usual, great post.
Thank you Barbara! I couldn’t agree more with you about our pal SSD Gabe. He is such an inspirational story and I’m excited to tell some tales of his adventures in Iraq.
What an amazing, heartwarming story, Kevin! I didn’t know Gabe was a homeless dog before this article! From what I’m told by Lackland’s “Doc” Hilliard, who has been at the forefront of MWD procurement for years it is extremely rare for a “civilian” dog to be able to become a MWD. Most times people try to donate a dog, the dog doesn’t come close to passing the tests.
Thank you for sharing this important story, Kevin. Will be tweeting etc!
Hi Maria. I read that part of your awesome book yesterday and chuckled because I knew this story was coming out today. I believe you quoted 2010 stats which makes sense…..not every dog has the “drive” to be an explosive finding rock star like SSD Gabe. When you roam the streets such as Gabe was forced to do you learn to become a “survivor”!
http://www.amazon.com/Soldier-Dogs-Maria-Goodavage/dp/0525952780
… I am so glad to have come across this wonderful story of SSD Gabe … I have rescued many dogs in my lifetime, and currently have 6 … my son is a USMC MWD Handler, currently in Afgh with IDD Sgt Thor … this story warms my heart … I look forward to more of your stories, and will follow him on f/b …. there are so many sad/bad stories out there …. this one gives me hope for more pound puppies … In all honesty … those who have ‘had’ to survive on their own, make wonderful pets … and it sounds like they make wonderful Hero’s, too!!!
Thank you!!
Hi Frankie!. Wow 6..you must be a true dog lover with a huge heart! I’m glad you liked the story and I hope to tell some additional tales of Gabe’s adventures. Awesome about your son…a couple of true American heroes! If you think of it let him know I would love to talk with him and get him and SSD Thor on the site. We could use some MARINES on the site as well!
Hi Kevin,
It is very interesting to see writing in the view point of a dog. I remember growing up friends or our family had a dog that went into the military. Prayers for Gabe and is friend and all the troops in their journey and voyage for we all have different destinations. Thank you for sharing your writing passions and view points. In Arizona I am waiting to see if a bill went through regarding cruelty to animals and ranching business. To all the fighters in our fights of different hats live on. Keep roaring.
Adriana Johnson
Thanks so much Adriana! I just think it is so cool how Gabe overcame all the adversity in his life! He so deserves all the recognition he receives.
Thank you for your message back Kevin … I will definitely tell Joey about you … this is his 3rd dog he has worked with (the first one he trained with, ended up being a heat casualty, Sgt Mmax, and his second dog that he deployed with, ended up with a degenerative tendon problem, she was Sgt Wren, and the one he patrols with now, is Sgt Thor) … it’s an awesome story behind it all, actually …
I had the greatest honor, to meet one of them, Sgt Wren …. there is nothing like meeting the ‘one’ appointed to protect your son …. they are amazing …. and they are saving lives … every single day!!! I am so proud of all of these dogs and their handlers …. they are making a difference ….
Thanks again!!
My pleasure Frankie. I’m surrounded by dog teams this week as we are conducting a senior leader training session in Yuma Proving Grounds (Run by a Marine Gunnery Sergeant). It is the premier pre- deployment military working dog training facility in the country. I’m so humbled to be around them all!
Kevin, a lovely inspiring story. You do realise, don’t you, that with a bit of tweaking this is the sort of story that could end up in Hollywood? We’ve had horses in war films, but not a dog as far as I’m aware. What makes this an extra special sort of story is that these are normal dogs who are chosen and trained to do some of the most extraordinary and dangerous front line work. The combination of animal, human and war interest would create powerful drama, while at times heartwarming humour. Your stories are hovering right over it. Get in there and don’t let someone else beat you to it.
Thanks Jerry. I fully expect my novel will become at movie…… if you aren’t dreaming you aren’t living right? Seriously though…… the novel has major movie potential.
I’ve written the greatest love story of all….. Soldiers and their dogs.
Love the story, very well written, but I have a question,with Gabe being chosen – what happens to the ones that aren’t?In this case Doki?
Dogs are generally recycled and give other chances with different military handlers. If they can’t seem to make it then they are offered to police departments and other government agencies. If there is no interest or the dog just doesn’t seem to be a good candidate as a working dog they are adopted out to folks who volunteer to give them loving homes. I have info about adopting MWD at the bottom left of this site.
From what I understand, Doki was offered to a local police department and that is where he works now.
Ahh, I see, thank you. We don’t have this sort of programme here (in New Zealand), so it’s been really good learning about it and on FB through Gabe’s pages. It’s neat they are adopted if things don’t work out
Thank you for explaining it.
rishipa 1,763
My pleasure! Have a great day.
Pingback: Chuck and Gabe: Guns & Cookies in Iraq | | Kevin HanrahanKevin Hanrahan
Pingback: Street militatary | Pmakit
Pingback: Specialized Search Dog Gabe: Hero Dog Winner~by Kevin Hanrahan « Increase Your Visibility To Your Web Site
Pingback: Blogging by a Writer Soldier Dog Advocate
Love your stories. Mostly cuz I have 2 labs and grew up with a bunch of mutts:) I can tell you like what you write about. Nice. Keep putting this stuff out. It inspires to appreciate. And reaches out.
Thank you Lucia!
Pingback: Specialized Search Dog Gabe: Hero Dog Winner | Kevin Hanrahan
Pingback: Another American War Hero Dies
Pingback: From Being on the Streets to Cleaning up the Streets | A Street Dog's Story