Today in the United States we observe Memorial Day honoring our fallen heroes from all our wars. (Even one war is too many, I think.)
I am reposting this story from 2012 on Soldier Dogs. Those wonderful animals who were selected to serve our country along side our soldiers and performed, and still perform, an invaluable service to our nation.
Military Working Dogs play a crucial part in America’s armed services. The best known “Soldier Dog,” Cairo, put crucial canine skills to work in the SEAL Team Six operation that killed Osama Bin Laden. Other Military Working Dogs serve as everything from bomb sniffers to troop companions to search and rescue dogs (and also serve in darker roles, such as duty at Guantanamo Bay). Their handlers and trainers, devoted dog lovers down to a man, form an unusually close-knit fraternity within the military.
Dogs are not only our best friends, they are an incredible asset to our safety forces. Thank you to all the handlers and animals that keep us safe around the world. – DogDaz
They may look innocent, but this was just a moment between catfighting. I assume Nine started because he usually does. Mini will be calmly sleeping on the top platform, and big brother will come screaming up the sides and attack her. Mini does start sometimes, but usually, it’s him. Thankfully, blood is rarely shed with these two.
For some reason, Mommy would not let us play with our new friend that came slithering into the yard to help us plant the tomatoes. We are not sure why, but Mom made us all go inside until the Pantherophis obsoletuspassed through. I think she said it had something to do with some woman named, Nagini. Have you ever met her? Mom said she might eat Charles. I said, “then maybe he should stay outside.” Mom put me in time out. What did I do? – Sofie Bear
I don’t mind that Noel has decided that sleeping pretty much all day and all night on my bed is now her life. But, can anyone tell me why she has to eat my hair when I get into bed?
Mini Cooper thinks she is a dog. She has always hung with the dogs and wants to be wherever they are. This collage, from 2014 just makes me smile. There is kitten Mini laying on the couch in the middle of Louise and Sofie.
Actually, all our cats love Louise; she is just that kind of soul.
Sofie is a different matter, as she has gotten older, and more anxious, she chases them away from her toys. They have learned that staying away from her is the best idea.
Nine making nice to Louise
Most cats can do fine with dogs if introduced the right way. You need to go slow and first make sure that neither animal is aggressive or frightened of the other. Then, if you keep giving them some time together several times a day, things usually work out.
I do want to point out that here at the Zoo we have several cat-only spaces and always try to provide ways for them to get away from the dogs quickly, even after all these years as a multi-animal household. You never know when someone will get stupid.
It is not easy to go up and down the stairs when there are all these furbabies blocking the way. I have to be really careful, because of my back, and trying to step around these goofballs is dangerous. But, how can you not love these faces as you ascend?
DogDaz Zoo 