Bomb-sniffing dog granted early retirement

MSNBC ^ | 12/13/07 | Staff

[T-Bird45]

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Marine Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee and his German shepherd, Lex, scoured Iraq for roadside bombs together, slept next to each other and even posed in Santa hats for a holiday photo.

When a mortar attack killed the 20-year-old Marine in Fallujah a few months later, Lex, whimpering from his own injuries, had to be pulled away, Lee's father was told.

That strong bond compelled the slain Marine's family to adopt 8-year-old Lex even though the military said he still had two years of service.

[T-Bird45]

Heart-warming story about the Marines doing the right thing for the dog and the family.

[billorites]

I believe your dog is sniffing my bim.

[singfreedom]

It is remarkable that the military uses these dogs until they are 10 years old. Shepherds are big dogs and they don’t live as long as small dogs. By the age of 10, I’m sure they must be losing at least some of their “touch”.

[tajgirvan]

It is extraordinary,” said Col. Christian Haliday, commander of the Marine Logistics Base in Albany, Ga., where the dog is based. “As far as we know, it’s the first time that a waiver of policy of this nature has been granted.”

What a great name! Great story and great dogs.

[tajgirvan]

What a great sacrifice by the Lee family! Thank God for people like them.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Todd Stone / AP

Marine dog handler Sgt. Larry Mayberry watches Lex, a military dog, train at an obstacle course at Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga., on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. Lex, an 8-year-old German shepherd who was wounded in Iraq, is headed toward early retirement.

Lex attended the funeral of his handler, companion and friend Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee, USMC

[rlmorel]

And there are people out there who say animals cannot love, and have no soul.

[Arthur McGowan]

...and even posed in Santa hats for a holiday photo.

Gee! What "holiday" could that be? Let's see---"Santa hats." Oh, I'm so grateful, Mr. Reporter, that you spared me from being offended by the name of the "holiday," which I just can't guess.

[SandRat]

WOOF-WOOF!

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[Tallguy]

I read somewhere that dogs used for search & recovery work can lose some sensitivity in the sense of smell as they get older. This dog, Lex, was a bomb-sniffer among other things. That said, I think 10 year retirement age probably has more to do with the decline in endurance & other physical abilities (note the obstacle course training).

[Badeye]

I heard this story on Fox this morning. Very happy for the dog, very sad for the family.

[vetvetdoug]

I took care of many military dogs while on AD, the most memorable was “Hitler”, a Viet Nam veteran with two VC kills to his credit. At 11 years of age, “Hitler” was becoming senile and attacked his handler and several innocent bystanders and had to be euthanized. Even though the dog was slowing down a bit, he still had the know how and strength to be a serious danger to anyone that he went after.

[U S Army EOD]

Only people who have no soul and can not love, can say this about animals.

[the OlLine Rebel]

GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST

(Please Freep-mail me if you’d like to be on or off the list.)

Warning: this is a low-volume ping list!

[the OlLine Rebel]

Ah, but many DON’T. ;-)

My own GS (60 lb) had to be put down at 11, but just a month before that, she was about as spunky as could be. Except she didn’t like up hills and longish walks much any more (should’ve been a a sign). Other than that, the only thing she “lost” was her hearing must’ve been a bit faulty from age - sometimes she’d get caught by surprise at a stranger at the door.

[redstateconfidential]

My exact sentiments sir, regards.

[TexasRepublic]

By the age of 10, I’m sure they must be losing at least some of their “touch”.

Every dog I've had, the nose and taste-buds were the last thing to go.