Military Working Dogs: Retirees Need Homes

If you've snooped around a bit on my blog, you'll know that I looooooooove dogs!  I am especially fascinated by those dogs that are trained to perform high-level, important tasks for us humans, such as police work, search and rescue, or assisting the handicapped.

Today on FoxNews' website I found a great video about "MWDs" -- "military working dogs."  Not only do they perform life-saving, essential tasks for our military personnel with some 2,300 presently working in the military, but many need to find homes following their retirement.

Here's the video clip from FoxNews: "First Line of Defense: Military working dogs save American soldiers' lives"


Some interesting facts from the video:

• 2,300 military working dogs

• These dogs are the single most effective measure against IEDs

• MWDs are used in all aspects of the military, including assisting battlefield commanders

• Dogs have provided more than 60 years of military service to our country

• After several years of service, the dogs are "retired"

• The "retirees" are highly adoptable; but, finding suitable homes isn't easy

• In 2000, Congress enabled these dogs to be adopted by military, police and civilian families (click here for info)

• It take 60-90 days for the dogs to learn to transition from military to civilian life; afterwards they prove to be great additions to homes

Here are some of the adoption links given in the video where you can contribute to these worthy causes ... and maybe even adopt a hero yourself!:

militaryworkingdogadoptions.com

www.lackland.af.mil

www.k9soldiers.org -- K9Soldiers has a special "urgent alert" regarding six drug-sniffing dogs in Pakistan that the organization is trying to bring home.  Click here for details if you wish to help.