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Arnold convicted of killing baby
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Critter corner
Police, rescue dogs get their due in new book
Sunday, December 30, 2007
As the year ends, it might be a good time to reflect on some working dogs and give them their props.
One way to do just that is a new book called "Badge on My Collar — A Chronicle of Courageous Canines," which profiles 15 police and search-and-rescue dogs. Three of them are from Ohio.
Extras
Written by Marilyn Jeffers Walton, the book tells the stories of the dogs, including the only dog lost at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
Luke II is a Cincinnati police department K-9 who had been rescued from the Butler County Animal Shelter on the day he was scheduled to be put down.
Here's a passage:
"It is hard to say how long he had been on the streets. He was small for his breed and did not exhibit the graceful slant back of a typical German shepherd. He ran loose on the streets on worn paws, scared and alone, fending for himself and scrounging food where he could find it. With no home, the raggedy dog found shelter where he could. During bad weather and in the evening, he hunted for a place to sleep and to wait out the long lonely nights. He was a housebroken dog, and he had been taught to sit and lie down. He was playful, intelligent and well-mannered having been someone's pet, but now he was separated from that owner and had to learn the ways of the often mean streets.
"Worst of all, no one wanted him. He was a young dog, but in the relatively brief time he had lived, his days had already been hard as he roamed aimlessly on Ohio's streets and highways. Not even 2 years old, he carried a piece of buckshot in his back left side no doubt inflicted by someone trying to scare him off when he was looking for a meal. The dog had become a furry hobo, bereft and with few options ... Luke was surely not the most expensive dog that ever became a K-9. He was not even the most handsome. But his heart was filled with gratefulness to the man who saved his life, and if put in a perilous situation, he would have gladly given his own life in deep gratitude. He was a "rescued dog," plain and simple — a $10.75 pound-hound bargain, who would never find his original owner."
The book is available at www.authorhouse.com or by calling (888) 728-8467. It will also be on Amazon.com in a couple of weeks.
Marine dog gets family
And did you see the story about the government allowing the family of a Marine dog handler killed in Iraq to adopt his dog? Marine Corp. Dustin Jerome Lee, 20, was killed in a mortar attack. His dog, Lex, was also wounded but had to be pulled away from his buddy after the attack.
Even though the dog still had two years of duty left, the family lobbied for months to get the dog, which had bonded with Lee's little brother.
Despite still having shrapnel in his back, Lex was released to the family on Dec. 21. The American Kennel Club is providing a year's worth of insurance and other dog products as well as a certificate honoring his bravery.
Dog club classes begin
The Gem City Dog Club starts its first 2008 session the week of Jan. 7 with classes in agility, conformation, earthdog, freestyle, obedience and rally. For more details on cost and times, visit www.gcdoc.com or call (937) 258-8493.
Gem City recently remodeled the front of its building at 1654 Springfield St., in Dayton, with a caricatures of dogs, dog paws, and dog welcome signs.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2248 or ldenger@DaytonDailyNews.com.
