Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Heroic dogs: old news!

If you think search and rescue is a new thing for dogs, think again!  Smart dogs have been working on search and rescue missions for a long time, but didn't always get the recognition they deserved.  In Britain, they are trying to make right on the contribution of heroic dogs in their history.

Seven dogs, known as the "Magnificent Seven" played a critical role in search and rescue missions during the London Blitz in 1940.  70 years later, these brave dogs are getting the recognition they deserve.  Each will be named as an awardee of the Dicken Medal by the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), which is regarded as the canine version of the Victoria Cross.

Rip, pictured here was originally a stray but proved to be a natural search and rescue dog.  He helped rescue more than 100 people in just two years.  Irma, another heroic dog of the era was convinced that she located a living person in a collapsed house, and she stood by the rubble for an entire day before rescuers pulled two young girls out.  You should check out the whole article in the Daily Mail to see pictures and read more about these amazing dogs.  


Wags to my buddy Shep for this extra special historic tip!  

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2 comments:

  1. Look at Rip's face! He knows he did a good job! Thanks for sharing this historic look at search and rescue. Very cool.

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  2. That is amazing! I love reading about dogs with jobs!

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