My name is Stella and I am a red heeler mix

dogjournal:

30 SERVICE DOGS VISIT WEST COAST WAR DOG MEMORIAL - “fewer than 300 of the nearly 5,000 dogs that served in Vietnam returned to the United States.”

A group of 30 dogs recently visited the West Coast War Dog Memorial located on the grounds of the March Field Museum. The dogs are currently being trained to be seeing-eye dogs by an organization called Guide Dogs of the Desert. Here’s more from mydesert.com:

The four-month-old yellow Labrador retriever…was among roughly 30 Guide Dogs of the Desert trainees that visited the memorial at March Field Air Museum.

Bob Wendler, director of canine operations for the Palm Springs-based group, shared stories from his year as a Navy dog handler.

Otto was already in Vietnam in 1969 when the Cathedral City man arrived to become his third handler.

“I first got there, and I had no idea what I was doing, and he kind of took me under his paw…“As an active-duty service member myself, hearing some of the stories he told is reminiscent of stories I hear from those who come back with bronze stars and silver stars with combat valor,” the Oceanside man said. “Basically jumping in front of the enemy to save their handlers or other service members.”

It’s great to see that the contributions of military dogs are being recognized. They are truly heroic dogs. Click here for the full story, and here for more information about Guide Dogs of the Desert.

Laser pointers… Not just for kittys.

You want what everyone wants.

(Source: damoan)