Soldier Dogs

The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes

By: Maria Goodavage

Narrated by: Nicole Vilencia

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A leading dog-blogger offers a tour of military working dogs’ extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impact they have on those who work with them.

People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound. A dog’s natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don’t have to be a dog lover to be fascinated by the idea that a dog—the cousin of that furry guy begging for scraps under your table—could be one of the heroes who helped execute the most vital and high-tech military mission of the new millennium.

Now Maria Goodavage, editor and featured writer for one of the world’s most widely read dog blogs, tells heartwarming stories of modern soldier dogs and the amazing bonds that develop between them and their handlers. Beyond tales of training, operations, retirement, and adoption into the families of fallen soldiers, Goodavage talks to leading dog-cognition experts about why dogs like nothing more than to be on a mission with a handler they trust, no matter how deadly the IEDs they are sniffing out, nor how far they must parachute or rappel from aircraft into enemy territory.

"Military working dogs live for love and praise from their handlers," says Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association and a former marine scout-dog handler. "The work is all a big game, and then they get that pet, that praise. They would do anything for their handler." This is an unprecedented window into the world of these adventurous, loving warriors.

Maria Goodavage, a former reporter for USA Today and the San Francisco Chronicle, is the editor and featured writer for one of the most widely read dog blogs in the world: For the Love of Dog. She is also the author of The Dog Lover’s Companion to California and The Dog Lover’s Companion to the San Francisco Bay Area. She co-produced and wrote an award-winning children's video about animals, starring the voice of Ed Asner.

Includes a bonus PDF with photographs.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.

©2012 Maria Goodavage (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Maria has proven her passion for the subject of military dogs with many emotionally engaging stories about these dedicated canines and the people who share their lives. She is the perfect combination of news reporter and dog lover." (Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible)

"Soldier Dogs is a fascinating book about the valiant things that military dogs do as told through the words of the soldiers who fight beside them. It also shows you how military service dogs are created, told through the words of the trainers and scientists who know the process. It is written in an easy and entertaining style and will acquaint you with dozens of canine heroes ranging from Stubby, who fought in WWI, to Cairo, who was a member of the raiding party that took down Osama Bin Laden. It is a great read for anyone who appreciates dogs and heroes." (Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs)

A fascinating look at America's canine soldiers

Maria Goodavage, like many people, became seriously interested in Military Working Dogs after hearing about Cairo, the dog who was part of the mission to get Osama bin Laden. She thought that surely this wouldn't be a hard subject to investigate; after all, these are dogs, not not nuclear weapons or stealth fighters.

It turns out that this is a very challenging area to investigate, precisely because these are "just dogs" and dogs who are in many ways quite secret. In many ways, in many places, they officially don't exist. This includes in veterinarian's offices, where the normal paperwork simply does not occur. She had her work cut out for her just getting in touch with the people who could tell her about these dogs and introduce her to their handlers.

But in the process, she met some wonderful people and dogs.

Goodavage was already very knowledgeable about dogs, but the lives of military working dogs and their handlers are very different from anything that happens in civilian life. Many of us have very close bonds with our dogs, especially when they are for us working dogs: service dogs, farm dogs, search and rescue dogs being just a few examples.

Handlers of military working dogs, though, depend on these dogs for their lives. Yet at the same time, they also live with the knowledge that these dogs who save their lives and the lives of other soldiers serving along side them may be killed while doing so. It's hard to beat the bond that comes from that.

Goodavage looks at the modern history of soldier dogs, their selection; their training; the washouts who are often fantastic dogs, just not for this work; the training of their handlers; the relationships between them; the work they do; the retirement of the soldier dogs who survive their service.

She also looks at the complete lack of any official recognition for what these dogs do and the lives they save by doing it. Legally, officially, a military work dog is not a dog soldier, but a piece of equipment, no different than a rifle.

Overall, it's a fascinating look at the dogs and at the people who train them and work with them.

Highly recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

What an Amazing Capture of the Most Amazing dogs!

Would you consider the audio edition of Soldier Dogs to be better than the print version?

I don't know because I have not read the print version!

What did you like best about this story?

The information that I learned about MWDs.

Which character – as performed by Nicole Vilencia – was your favorite?

All of them.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Thank-you MWDs.

Amazing

I never knew how important dogs were in our military. This author has a wonderful speaking voice and a great fondness for dogs. I enjoy

Fascinating Stories, Comprehensive Presentation

From the purchase of dogs to training, deployment and retirement, this is a real education.

I thought I was getting a compilation of....

Soldier Dog vignettes rather than the somewhat technical overview of training, policy justification and interview. As an Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran I had more than a passing familiarity of soldier dogs and was hoping for a stirring series of tributes. This is not that book, ....although there are a couple of tear jerker digressions into individual moments and acts of heroism that scratched the itch. With that said, Soldier Dogs is informative to the point of almost being a class but with the aid of increased narration speed, I’m glad I stuck with it and am now a happy graduate.
PS. Napoleon’s tribute to a forlorn dog grieving at a dead master’s side will satisfy the Ol’ Yeller, Art of Racing in the Rain canine self-flagellation of those, who, like this critic worship God’s greatest gift to unworthy man.

Great Story sbout the devoted Warriors

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Enjoyed the story and very well done. The MWD is a truely awesome program and these Warriors are 100% man's best friend.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rex and Ingram because they had a special bond.

What does Nicole Vilencia bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

personality

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

yes

Any additional comments?

I would be honored to adopt a retire dog ANYTIME. Semper Fi

Brave Soldiers and Dogs

I enjoyed this audio book, although I am thinking that with all the acronyms used, it may be more conducive to read in print format. I liked that there were different sections, with different areas of focus. It was interesting to learn more about the Military Working Dog program, but I was also glad that there was a section devoted to the stories of the dogs and their handlers. This was an interesting book and will appeal to those interested in animals and the military working dog program; a huge thank you to those in the military (both 2 and 4 legged) who put their lives on the line to protect us.

for dog lovers

Any additional comments?

This wandered form the service the dogs provide to polotics. The polotics are important but could have beben added briefly at the end.

Excellent

Wonderful book for anyone who is a dog lover, is interested in military topics or just has a heart.

if you are a dog lover you WILL get "all misty eyed" at many points. You may even go out and get on the adoption list for one of these K9 vets.

You will at least give your own, very spoiled, dog a huge hug.

wonderful

I have always wondered at the particulars about how service dogs in the military and police were selected and trained. This book gives a look inside that process, as well as the lives of the dogs and their handlers. These are amazing people and dogs, and deserve all the love and respect and support we can give them. They save lives every day. Thank you for writing about them.
The narration was wonderful, and I cannot fathom how the narrator was able to not cry during some of the telling...again, thank you so much!