Following the scent: An explosive detector dog and his handler protect Marines
I found this terrific story that I thought you all would like. So instead of doing a picture or video of the week I’m changing it up! Of course the pictures in the article are fabulous.
Story by Staff Sgt. Brian Buckwalter
Maxx, an improvised explosive device detector dog, licks the face of his handler, Lance Cpl. Stephen Mader, during a convoy in southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 26, 2012. Mader, an IDD handler with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, volunteered for the job. He’s an infantry mortarman by trade, but deployed to use Maxx to help sniff out IEDs and other explosive before they can damage vehicles or Marines.
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Riding in an armored truck over Afghanistan’s rutted dirt roads is scarcely a smooth or comfortable experience.
Each bump is felt as leaf springs groan and creak … Read More »
Should You Hire an Editor or Join a Critique Group? (Part I)
O my goodness did I receive some outrage from my post on Tough Love and Top Flight Editors a while back. I think that folks thought I was “slamming” critique groups. I wasn’t but will provide you my thoughts now.
But to ensure we provide you a holistic view of the subject I’ve asked my colleague and staunch critique group supporter, Barbara Longley, to join me in this discussion. Barbara is the incredibly talented author of Heart Of The Druid Laird- Carina Press, and she has a new trilogy coming through Montlake Publishing beginning with Far From Perfect releasing October 23rd. To read excerpts of her work, you can visit her website at this link.
Anyway, enough about Barbara….let’s talk about what I think…….
KEVIN: Critique groups are a waste of resources. To me resources equal time, effort and … Read More »
Military Dog Video of the Week(August 23th, 2012): Service Dogs
Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder are two medical conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat. Army Sergeant Peter Holzer tells us about some unique dogs that are giving Soldiers with TBI and PTSD, a second chance at recovery
This video really made me think.
Is this a feasible program for the military?
Can we have troops, who require therapy dogs in order to function, continue to serve?
As a dog enthusiast and having my very own (unofficial) therapy dog, my heart tells me– of course. But as a professional officer in the United States Army I have my doubts.
Allowing troops to have therapy dogs at work is a complex issue with many, many layers of complications attached.
I think my position right now is: If you need a service dog then can you really perform your duties as a … Read More »
Daniel and the Wolf Dog Part II
Note: This is part two of the story. You may wish to read Part I prior to reading this piece.
At 5:00 AM Sergeant Daniel Sandoval’s alarm clock barely started buzzing before he clicked it off. He looked over at his pregnant wife Sabrina who hadn’t stirred.
“Good,” thought Daniel. “She needs her sleep.”
He’d been lying in bed, mind racing and deep in thought for the past two hours. Today was his first day back at the kennels in over three years. Today was the day he would meet a lot of the other handlers. Today was the day he started training with Military Working Dog Bony—Bony the Grey Wolf.
Had he lost his touch as a dog handler?
Would the rest of the handlers accept him?
Would he bond with Bony?
Three years was a long time to be away from the dog world. Of course … Read More »
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (August 16th, 2012): Honza Bear
Normally I wait and use my unseen pictures for my stories but I couldn’t resist this week.
Let’s hear it for Honza Bear this week!
Well……. why not, right? Let’s admit it folks….you love Honza Bear!
There is just something about this furry yellow goofball that you love.
Is it because he put his handler John Nolan to the test during certification?
Does he remind you of your dog or a dog you used to have?
All right…I love Honza Bear as well. I ‘m actually stationed in Virginia at the same Army installation as John and Honza Bear.
But that isn’t the reason I am honoring them today. Here is why.
Last Friday I was sitting at my desk well past six … Read More »
Noah and the Young MWD Chuck–Explosion?
This is Part IV of Chuck and Noah. If you haven’t read Part III first you may wish to start there or skip back to Part I.
Sergeant Noah Carpenter leaned up against a dirt-splattered tan Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and sighed. He wouldn’t be in the relative protection of the MRAP today. No, today it would be he and his military working dog Chuck leading a foot patrol.
He had arrived at the remote camp a couple days before from the sprawling Bagram Airbase via Konduz Airfield. The small camp’s concertina-wired and dirt-berm perimeter was protected by battle hardened Unites States Army Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division.
Noah didn’t worry about the Taliban attacking the perimeter. They would have to get through the paratroopers. What concerned him the most was the 30 Afghan policemen that lived in and … Read More »
Military Dog Video of the Week(August 9th, 2012): K9 Healers
This video is fabulous because it brings attention to a truly unheralded unit on the battlefield….our military Veterinarian Corps! This is the muscle and brains that keep our dog teams functioning and operating at a high level. It is because of these great American’s that our dog teams are on the front lines protecting our troops!
This is exactly why the heroine in my novel, Megan Jayburn, is a veterinarian technician. I’ve mentioned this kick ass character before in my first Women in Combat Post. (Boy did that post and the subsequent posts on that topic receive a lot of attention!)
My third post had 2,400 hits in the first day! I remember that day because it was the day we brought our baby boy Brady home from the hospital! But I digress…….
In Paws on the Ground, Megan, is assigned … Read More »
Interview with K9 Heroes author Nicole Arbelo
K9 Heroes. What a perfect title for a novel about today’s military working dog community. But don’t worry—this book isn’t just about the dogs. Debut author Nicole Arbelo showcases the deep bond between military working dogs and their handlers in this heartfelt and powerful book.
Nicole spent nearly three years working tirelessly on her first book, K9 Heroes. Her admiration for the dogs and the service members they partner with radiates throughout the book.
The book is mainly a compilation of stories (mostly firsthand accounts); direct correspondence with actual dog handlers, their family and friends; and interviews conducted by Nicole. As I read the book I honestly felt like I was talking to the service members. As you all know, I am an active duty soldier, so it was very relaxing for me to read K9 Heroes. The accounts are … Read More »
Military Dolphin Picture of the Week. (August 1st, 2012): Koa the Sailor
Yes…..I said Dolphin! How cool is this?
Koa, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, is coaxed onto a transport mat during a Rim of the Pacific 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun.29 to Aug. 3. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon E. Renfroe)
Koa, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin handled by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1, jumps in his training pool during a Rim of the Pacific 2012 exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon E. Renfroe)
Koa, an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin, is shown being transported in a rigid-hulled inflatable boat boat, en route to a MH-53E Sea Dragon of Helmineron Fourteen. The Navy uses dolphins operated by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1, to locate and … Read More »
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