Dogs – Heroes Throughout Time

Dog Heroes: All Time Heroes

Everyday, people witness countless acts of heroism, big and
small. Heroes, too, come in different shapes and sizes, forms
and breeds, man and animals alike. Dolphins, seals, horses, cats
and whales are just a few from the animal kingdom that display
tremendous protective instincts that save man from all sorts of
danger. But nothing beats “the man’s best friend”.

After displays of great courage and bravery during World War I,
dogs have seen in a different light. They were thrust into the
limelight unknowingly. Since then, dogs have been called all
time heroes – recognized, rescued, trained and cared for by man.
All kinds of awards were given to dogs to celebrate their
heroism and saving prowess such as the “Dog Hero of the Year
Award.”

The dogs carry on a long line of lifesavers. They have shown
unthinkable acts of saving adults and children alike in grave
danger like fire, drowning, road and home accidents, intruders
and robbers, and even in a huge tragedy like 9/11. The images of
heroic dogs finding possible survivors or even lost bodies under
rubble and debris in ground zero crushed the hearts of many
Americans.

These canine heroes come from all breeds, backgrounds and
locations. Take note, they are not pedigreed. These dog heroes
are not at all dominated by big dogs, though they are often used
for the purpose of national security. Their breeds vary from the
famous German Shepherd, Saint Bernard and Collies (remember
Lassie?) to Poodle, Labrador, American Pit Bull Terrier,
Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Doberman, Pinscher,
English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Great Dane,
Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Shetland, Sheepdog, Terrier and
Weimaraner.

During the Vietnam War, 4,000 dogs were recruited to assist and
protect U.S. troops, thus preventing an estimate of 10,000 plus
American casualties. At that time, they were considered “surplus
armaments”. They were either euthanized or left to their fates
in Vietnam. Now, books and documentaries preserved the memories
of countless canines that aided in the protection of mankind.

Today, dog heroes play an even more critical role in the fight
against terrorism. The ability of dogs to detect bombs is
already proven since World War I. A German shepherd’s nose has
250 billion smelling cells to give it the ability to detect a
target odor amidst all other odors.

Breeds do not guarantee a “dog hero status.” Like men, dogs need
a rare set of attributes to stand out: intelligence, being calm
even in the presence of loud noise, focus amidst distractions
and a compulsive desire to play with a toy. After all, the game
is to find the scent and get the toy.