A Cheer For The Four-Legged Heroes!

Myself ^ | Myself

[Rose in RoseBear]

Gentlebeings:

(Bear with me ... it's actually my first post ...)

I've been reading and watching (and crying), but I haven't seen (m)any still pictures of the dogs working Ground Zero. I'd like to start a thread of these wonderful heroes, if one doesn't already exist.

[rockfish59]

i hate them when they bark too much, but in this instance they are awesome!

[Texasforever]

of these wonderful heroes,

Please do not debase the word "hero" any further than it has been. I love dogs too but hero is not the proper term to attach to a working animal.

[Clinton's a liar]

Welcome to posting. You may get some flames, because your post should have been under the category of "Your Opinions/Questions." This is not "news."

In answer to your question, I haven't seen many print pictures in newspapers, but I have seen plenty of coverage on the Fox News Channel.

Regards.

[Rose in RoseBear]

I disagree. I look at those dogs, and I think they are just as determined as their handlers. I read once that search and rescue dogs (as opposed to cadaver dogs) become agitated when they don't find live people.

If you choose to call them dumb working animals, be my guest. I'll stick with the word I chose.

[Texasforever]

If you choose to call them dumb working animals, be my guest. I'll stick with the word I chose.

If you can show me one dog that arrived on the scene by itself then you would have a point. Look, if we say a working cadaver dog is a "hero": then what do we call the firemen that ran into the building as others were running out? I will leave it at that.

[Critter]

I Think the handlers would disagree with you.

At least one of these dogs died so far, and several have needed emergency medical treatment. They may not know that they are risking their lives, but they are fearlessly going where men can't, and I think that's pretty heroic.

[Critter]

I think we all agree that the firemen and police and EMS that were going into the building were far beyond heroic. I don't think we have a word to describe their actions, to be honest.

[paul544]

Some people just feel the need to be the thorn in the side a decent thread. You know, try to kill the great setiment that the original poster had intended.

[gcruse]

Agreed. There are stories of heroic acts by animals in the past. To preclude heroism just because of nonhumaness is to ignore history.

[paul544]

[ambrose]

[dbwz]

hero, n. 1. in mythology & legend, a man of great strength and courage, favored by the gods and in part descended from them, often regarded as half-god and worshiped after his death: as, Aeneas and Hector were heroes to the ancients. 2. any man admired for his courage, nobility, or exploits, especially in war: as, Washington is a national hero. 3. any person admired for his qualities or achievements and regarded as an ideal or model. 4. the central male character in a novel, play, poem, etc., with whom the reader or audience is supposed to sympathize; protagonist:often opposed to villain. 5. the central figure in any important event or period, honored for outstanding qualities.

[juliabrock]

That's so sweet. I have two dogs, and they were my best, loyal friends during a recent illness. I love my dogs almost as much as I love my kids. I don't agree with the poster who said animals can't be heroes, especially dogs. I sincerely believe that they do go to heaven!

[paul544]

Not to mention in the inumerable times that dogs have shown to be be heros. Plain and simple.

[GofZ]

Couldn't agree with you more!!

[dandelion]

Puppy Dog bump!

[dandelion]

You'd have to know these animals and their trainers to understand that yes, they ARE heroes. These dogs do it for the love of the humans they work with, and many have been injured. Paws slashed by iron, dust choked; one was even buried in rubble. All (as far as I know) returned to work again.

If you'd ever watched them as they worked, or if you ever saw how these dogs are the last hope in finding the lost or endangered, then you'd understand. If you are ever lost, be looking for the dogs - chances are, they will be the ones looking for you...

[BonnieJ]

They are truly wonderful heroes and essential to all rescue efforts. Dogs have beautiful qualities of love and devotion and that is why they work so effectively with their human partners. So many of them have suffered in the horrible WTC site. Thank you for honoring them!

[Texasforever]

Look there is no point in arguing with those that attribute human qualities to dogs. I voiced an opinion and then let the matter drop. I am still waiting for the new definition of a human that consciously lays down his life in defense of others. "Hero" is now applied to everything from athletes to dogs. You folks go ahead and have fun. I apologize if I offended you.