This program makes me wag my tail:
1/31/2008 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS -- Most people go to the local pet store or animal shelter to find their new pet dog. But on Jan. 29, John and Jackie Yarborough from Phoenix flew to Lackland to adopt a 3-year-old German shepherd named Jenny. She was up for adoption after failing to meet the requirements necessary to become a military working dog.Sadly, the dogs become classified as "excess equipment" at the end of their careers. Well, readers here will know of my love affair with old Mil-Surp. This just gives it some added depth.
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First Lt. John Farmer, 341st Training Squadron Logistics Flight commander, supplied the Yarboroughs with Jenny's diet plan and proper transportation materials.
"Part of my job is to make sure the dogs that don't work out for our program find a good home," said Lieutenant Farmer. "We rely on people like John and Jackie to give these dogs that home. Just because these dogs don't work out for us, doesn't mean they won't make a great pet for someone else."
The FAQ for the program is here.
We left all those heroes in Vietnam. Sickening. You can still see their offspring, although pure breeds have been introduced, at least that is what I was told when I asked.
ReplyDeleteGood for them! They've finally 'learned'!
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't travel so much, I'd get another dog. Barkley has friends and family to stay with, and he's used to that routine or me leaving, but a new dog needs continuity as he or she starts a new family.
ReplyDeleteI hope all these dogs get the homes they've earned.
Amen, Brigid.
ReplyDeleteI'm also glad to see that there's quite a waiting list to get one.
My deployed husband has 3 "loves of his life": I'm the first one, followed by two military working dogs, a chocolate lab and a black lab.
ReplyDeleteHe'd totally adopt either of them if their handlers didn't already have dibs on them.
Can't adopt? There are numerous charities that use donated funds to purchase cooling vests, protective gear, and medical treatment for your four-footed heroes.
ReplyDeleteYou do know that the military dogs receive extremely little in this regard, right? A stateside office clerk receives more gear and protection than a frontline pooch. Most of what you see the dogs wearing has been donated by people like you.
Let Bore Patch or me know if you need a bona fide charity to donate to. I've got a couple I like.
I didn't catch all the details, but CT senator Richard Blumenthal is submitting a bill to make adoption of .mil dogs much easier. I don't care for the senator much, as he's largely a shill for TheOne, but in this case I think he's got it right.
ReplyDeleteFor your kids, check out a book called Letters from Wolfie . . . it's about a family's dog who goes to Viet Nam. My 11yr old read it . . .