Theodore's World

No fallen or wounded Marine is ever forgotten or ignored...not even the 4-legged ones. Nice.

Military Channel had a great one on about the Marines getting these dogs at the beginning of the war. A lot of those dogs were volunteered by their owners. The attachment between dog and owner was extraordinary. On some island the Marine dog handler was killed , the dog wouldn't let anyone near the dead Marine, finally the dog relented and he was taken care of but that bond treanscended life and death.

After Saipan the Marines captured some Japanese dogs and they too were well trained but the Marines first had to teach the Dogs commands in English, they only understood Japanese. Ironies.

There is an excellent book on the subject,It's called Dog Tags of Courage..By John C. Burnam MSG (USA ret.)..The things these Dogs did is just over
the top.. The sad part is the over 4000 dogs to be
abandoned when the US pulled out of Vietnam...
I also remember the Military allowing a dog to be
buried with his handler, Old age prevents me from
remembering where I read about it...

http://www.almostheaven-golden-retriever-rescue.org/old-drum.html

George Graham Vest speaking:

"Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us -- those whom we trust with our happiness and good name -- may become traitors in their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world -- the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -- is his dog.

"Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

"If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death."

Oh WOW thank you all so much for your awesome input, information and links. I really appreciate it so much.