When a dog isn't a dog
By CNN National Security Producer Jennifer Rizzo
When an insurgent rocket attack badly injured Cpl. Dustin Lee while he was on patrol in Iraq, his shrapnel-impaled partner, Lex, picked himself up to lie over Lee - an effort to protect him.
"He knew Dustin was injured," said Lee's mom, Rachel. Lex was his bomb-sniffing dog.
Lee didn't survive his injuries, but Lex did - and became a part of the Lee family when Rachel adopted him.
"When Dustin was killed, one of the first things I asked about was Lex, because of their camaraderie. They depended on each other"
Lex, a German shepherd, served in the Marines as a military working dog.
There are about 2,700 dogs serving worldwide, according to the Defense Department. Roughly 600 of these dogs are deployed in designated war zones overseas, including Afghanistan, areas of Africa and Kuwait.
These "war dogs" are used on patrols, in drug and explosives detection, and on specialized missions, like the Navy SEAL raid that took down Osama bin Laden last year.
But while these dogs walk side by side with their troop handlers or go on jumps from helicopters in service members' arms, the Defense Department classifies military working dogs as "equipment," a term that advocates want changed.
"These dogs are more soldiers than they are equipment," said Debbie Kandoll, founder of Military Working Dog Adoptions.
Kandoll, who helps civilians adopt military working dogs, estimates that the average war dog saves 150 soldier lives during its service.
Dogs have been serving in military conflicts since World War I, returning home after the conflicts ended. But thousands of dogs were left behind during the Vietnam War. Of the roughly 4,900 dogs that the United States used in Vietnam, around 2,700 were turned over to the South Vietnamese army, and a staggering 1,600 were euthanized, according to veteran and former Marine dog handler Ron Aiello.
"Equipment you can leave behind," Kandoll said. "We've left tanks in Iraq. Everywhere we've been, we've left stuff. If you reclassify them as manpower, then you can't leave them."
Today, dogs are no longer left in war zones. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a law that allowed the dogs to be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement agencies and civilians. But Kandoll says this law didn't go far enough and is pushing for an amendment to include the reclassification of war dogs.
U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-North Carolina, agrees that a new classification is needed to elevate the "solider dog." Jones has been working on a bill that would reclassify the dogs as "K-9 members of the armed forces" and provide a way for the Defense Department to honor the dogs with official medals.
"Those who have been to war tell me that the dogs are invaluable," he said. "That they are just as much a part of a unit as a soldier or Marine. They are buddies."
Jones has submitted the proposed legislation to the Congressional Budget Office for a cost review. A response is expected by mid-February.
Despite the classification, the military says the dogs are respected.
"While there is a proper, legal classification for a working dog, we know they are living things, and we have great respect and admiration for them," said Lackland Air Force Base spokesman Gerry Proctor. The dogs are trained at Lackland. "A handler would never speak of their dog as a piece of equipment. The dog is their partner. You can walk away from a damaged tank, but not your dog. Never."
But if the dogs are retired on an overseas base, the military will not provide for their transportation back home, a practice that Kandoll says is like leaving them behind.
"The day the dog is retired, the dog is considered excess equipment and not entitled to any transport back," she said.
When a dog is retired on an overseas base and is adopted by someone in the United States, the adopter is charged the dog's shipping cost, which can be up to $2,000.
"It is essentially the same as a government surplus sale," Proctor said. "If the government has a surplus sale in Ramstein, Germany, and sells you a truck, then should the American taxpayer be on the hook to get that truck back to your house in Atlanta? The government doesn't own it once you buy it."
"That doesn't make sense to me," said Aiello, who thinks the military should wait to retire a dog until it's back in the United States. This way, it will be entitled to transportation benefits.
Kandoll says the cost to the taxpayer to send the dogs home would be minimal.
"We have half-empty military cargo transport planes transversing the globe daily. It would be more than feasible to place a retired military working dog on the transport plane back to the continental United States," Kandoll said. "Uncle Sam got them over there, and it's a point of honor for Uncle Sam to get his soldiers, whether they are four-legged or two-legged, back to the U.S."
But once home and placed with an adoptive family, medical bills are sure to stack up. Many of these retired dogs are more than 9 years old and are plagued with battlefield issues such as arthritis and even post-traumatic stress disorder. The Defense Department, Kandoll says, should allow military veterinarians to treat retired dogs.
A dog's medical history however is made clear during the adoption process, according to the Defense Department.
"So they go into it eyes wide open," Proctor said. "If you buy that truck, how far do you want the American taxpayer to be on the hook for the truck's oil changes and tuneups for its life?"
A one-month supply of all the medication the dog needs is also given to the adopter to ensure that the adoptive family has enough time to procure veterinary care for the animal, according to Proctor.
The brave dog Lex that stayed by his handler's side until the end is now 11 years old. He is doing well but has PTSD and pieces of shrapnel that cause spinal complications, Rachel Lee said.
"To be able to reclassify them would be to also get them help in a better manner," Lee said. "To be able to have them looked at differently - as a vet, as a soldier and to give them benefits."
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
Thanks for visiting,
I’m Gabriel.
If you’ve ever been overscheduled and couldn’t finish a research paper , then you’ve come to the right place. I work with students in all areas of the writing steps . I can also write the assignment from start to finish.
My career as a professional writer started early in college . After learning that I was very talented in the field of academic writing, I decided to take it up as a career .
Skilled Academic Writer- Gabriel- BaileyAnderson Band
Hello and welcome to my website . I’m Leona.
I have always dreamed of being a book writer but never dreamed I’d make a career of it. In college, though, I aided a fellow student who needed help. She could not stop telling me how well I had done. Word got around and someone asked me for to help them just a week later. This time they would pay me for my work.
During the summer, I started doing research papers for students at the local college. It helped me have fun that summer and even funded some of my college tuition. Today, I still offer my research paper writing to students.
Academic Writer – Leona – Newwpdesigns Corps
My name is Amber Crouch. And I am a professional Content writer with many years of experience in writing.
My goal is to solve problems related to writing. And I have been doing it for many years. I have been with several groups as a volunteer and have assisted clients in many ways.
My love for writing has no end. It is like the air we breathe, something I cherish with all my being. I am a passionate writer who started at an early age.
I’m happy that I`ve already sold several copies of my books in different countries like USA, Russia and others too numerous to mention.
I also work in an organization that provides assistance to many people from different parts of the world. People always come to me because I work no matter how hard their projects are. I help them to save time, because I feel fulfilled when people come to me for professional help.
Ghost Writer – Amber Crouch – Vahealthchartbook Corps
Hello guys, I am Penny a professional in academic writing.
I enjoy solving people’s problems and make them happy. That is what I have been doing for decades now.
I have been writing since I was 12 years old and never knew it would turn out to be a full-time career. I have also been able to handle several projects that involves writing. And I worked in three organizations as a volunteer to assist people.My hobbie has always been to help people succeed. And I go the extra mile to make that happen.
I enjoy writing academic papers and have helped people from countries like Canada.
I work with a company whose mission is to provide quality writing and make people happy. In fact, many clients come to me for professional help on a daily basis because they know I always deliver. And I will continue to provide nothing but the best to build trust like I have been doing for the past few years.
Academic writer – Penny Allison – //www.clarkesvillewritingsociety.org/]Clarkesvillewritingsociety Corp
Our site offers a wide variety of non prescription drugs. Visit our health site in case you want to look healthier with a help of generic supplements. http://j1c.cbdthebestshop.com/en/sale-cannabidiol-own-network-39088.html Our company offers supreme quality pills. Look at our health contributing website in case you want to look healthier. http://2k.cbdthebestshop.com/no/phytocannabinoid-rezeptfrei-yahoo-mail-70659.html Our company provides a wide variety of non prescription drugs. Visit our health portal in case you want to look better with a help of health products. http://9dv5.cbdthebestshop.com/no/cannabis-kostnad-ubiquitous-70089.html Our company offers supreme quality general health products. Take a look at our health contributing site in case you want to look healthier. http://4c.cbdthebestshop.com/es/precio-del-cannabidiol-en-farmacias-del-ahorro-en-mexico-36172.html Our company provides supreme quality pharmacy. Look at our health contributing site in case you want to feel better. http://5of.cbdthebestshop.com/it/farmacie-vendita-canapa-59683.html Our company provides safe pills. Look at our health contributing portal in case you want to look better. http://j2.cbdthebestshop.com/es/venta-fitocannabinoide-rs-components-66430.html
Our company offers herb-based healthcare products. Visit our health contributing portal in case you want to feel better. http://f9y7.cbdthebestshop.com/sv/cannabis-utan-recept-cuvteta-6748.html Our company offers a wide variety of non prescription drugs. Visit our health portal in case you want to look better with a help of general health products. http://i2g.cbdthebestshop.com/it/cbd-hanfprodukte-senza-ricetta-svizzera-18522.html Our company offers a wide variety of non prescription drugs. Look at our health portal in case you want to to improve your health with a help health products. http://68vg.cbdthebestshop.com/no/phytocannabinoid-rezeptfrei-u-haul-discount-coupons-67845.html Our site offers a wide variety of non prescription drugs. Take a look at our health site in case you want to strengthen your health with a help of general health products. http://d38b.cbdthebestshop.com/en/purchase-phytocannabinoid-lx-forums-3679.html Our company offers supreme quality pharmacy. Look at our health contributing portal in case you want to strengthen your health.
Hi everyone , I’m Eliot Estes.
Welcome to my website . I started writing in middle school after a creative writing assignment for my English teacher. I did creative writing for almost a year before I thought about doing something else.
I had always loved doing research assignments because I’m passionate about learning. When you combine writing talent with a love of learning, academic writing only makes sense as a job.
I’m passionate about assisting the students of the future in their school career. When they don’t have time for their paper , I am there to help.
Eliot – Academic Writing Help – Hesperialovesbooks Company
Winstrol Oil
When buying jewellery for someone that you just worry about be sure that you not simply buy it on their behalf at "anticipated" instances for example over a bday or wedding, but also make sure you surprise them at in other cases. This is important since it displays exactly how much you cherish that individual and that they are always on your mind.
Injectable Steroids From China
Setting up an exercise place both at home and house health club is definitely an desirable solution for people who either don't possess the time, the will, or even the dollars to attend an expert health and fitness center. A lot of workouts can be accomplished in your home and something can continue to attain no matter what level of fitness they desire provided they make the effort.
Oral Steroids And Weight Gain
It is actually very good to grow aged. Your long life is surely an good results. Our industrial customs forces us to denial of aging. We have been shared with we need to dye our locks, try and seem fresh. But a good brain of bright white your hair can be put on with pride. You proved helpful extended and tough to attain this time in your daily life!
Injectable Trenbolone Steroids
Qv Testosterone Enanthate
Given that home heating makes up about the most important part of any home's power usage, this ought to be the first method you objective when attemping to enhance the electricity efficiency of your residence. Seek out spills or insulating material problems, position limitations on thermostat use and bring inside a home heating skilled to evaluate the performance of your own furnace.
Deca Durabolin For Fat Loss
As stated initially on this article, no one is exempt from creating and affected by allergic reaction. However, together with the appropriate guidance, allergies are anything which can be managed. Make use of the guidance that has been given to you in this article, and you will definitely in the near future see your allergic reaction managed.Great Information How To Eradicate Apnea
Masteron Cutting Cycle
Keep display and frames as low as possible on the internet site. They can appearance pretty, however they are awful for seo and engines can't decode them effortlessly. If you have to use display, make sure you also include links or search phrases on the bottom of your own web pages.
Turinabol Vs Epistane
Started new snare throw
http://sunni.muslim.purplesphere.in/?entry-rebeca
angela surname animal dc spread
cialis prices
http://viagra-withoutdoctor.org – viagra without doctor prescription
does cialis work the first time guestbook_sign.php
viagra without doctor prescription
cialis reviews 20 mg replies
levitra hong kong
http://viagrawithoutdoctor.org – generic viagra without a doctor prescription
levitra 2.5 mg
generic viagra without a doctor prescription
purchase viagra in new zealand
"Keep up to date with ALL the?EFL news, gossip and transfers on our club pageThe Rs boss was greeted ."
armani jeans blouson homme http://armani.laurene-martinez.fr/Blouson-Armani-blanc-Armani-Jeans-Blouson-Homme-SL1530.html
you may have a great weblog right here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
gaststätten frankfurt oder
In this article, I got lots of good points by which I am going to work on it.
http://www.google.com
This is so crucial for any owner or client.
http://www.google.com
I love the content on your websites. Cheers!.
NBA http://www.cnbanfu.com/comment/html/index.php?page=1&id=20295
I appreciate the details on your internet site. Kudos!|
nba 2k16 mtdb packs http://csgoskinsguide.snappages.com/blog/2016/04/13/how-to-play-counterstrike
Hope these MWD are given a bigger and brighter future after retirement. It's sad to think that they still dispose of these service dogs after many years of service
They do not dispose of dogs since I believe it was 2000. Thank God
The dogs that serve in combat and even those not in combat should be classified specially and decorated, although there might not be a relationship between honouring their service with medals and increase work rate, but they should be recognised regardless.
Dogs can help us as a Security Guard . If you want the Best DOg Security Guard call Guard Dogs London
lire la suiteposté par romainrd à 11
Coin cuisine1 WC indépendant parajumpers outlet "Quel sejour magnifique! Merci à Demetra pour son hospita mulberry uk lite. Sa maison familiale est une merveille dans cette partie du Chypre. Nous avons passe deux semaines de toute beaute. Et ça commence très fort dès le journal de 7h. Les d piumini peuterey outlet u
in the prix louboutin afternoon about five fifteen,prix louboutin, l occhiali ray ban prezzi ongitude 123 degrees 17 minutes.
north from Zhao.Love and numb pas de deux I saw this so I watched a ray ban da sole s he kept the joke heNever know when spring feeling in the heart of the timeThe butterfly lovers a pass through the ages very painful all peopl
context of words. and learned from him for the people of Meng Haoran, love hogan bambino has the method, michael kors careers the goal of strong.
structure of alkaloids and cannabis and cannabis drug and synthetic method. nose on a pair of silver rimmed glasses,hogan bambino, The renewal of the,michael kors careers,Effects of ex hogan uomo a
United Daily New chaquetas belstaff s: China's rich and nutritious lunch
chaquetas belstaff outlet ,chaquetas belstaff
,chaquetas belstaff outlet; 2008-04-23 08:31:37
Hongkong on 23 April, and Taiwan United Daily N chaussures louboutin ews published an article today on black and white sets
, take turns to Feng shui. Twenty years ago, leaders to meet,cha
can let the people rest assured doudoune moncler pas cher ,doudoune moncler pas cher, hogan outlet ECFA is not signed it,hogan outlet, Lv Xiulian refers to Cai Yingwen "every day" to give people hope ", with the choice; especially important the 2012 is, the highest of leaders of both countries have doudoune moncler femme agreed in principle. China is the first
We don't care; low status, "say the teacher is barbour jacket the engine barbour wax jacket er of the human soul". Cotton is not wrong.
so, I also not only because of love,barbour jacket, followed by love encounters many also met with embarrassment. An innocent woman hurt easily say that I barbour jacket sale like. The shop is busy call me to help. L
it is known as insulinresistance. An individual with diab hollister pas cher etes type I will mercurial have to injectinsulin throughout the day in order to control glucose levels. There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). all cholesterol is not bad, ?
amon hollister uk stores Serrano?
always feel that t abercrombie fierce ime flies too fast, even call with hollister other mobile phone. every day is a battle, only reward is to let me silently accompany her to put her clothes as soon as possible after, and accompany the moth abercrombie and fitch er day of happiness and joy! with many jujubes leaves drop, rich fragrance.
intermit
hogan outlet or as it cannot be helpe hollister france d,hogan outlet.Three people soon disappeared
2009 to hold the twelfth session of the Supreme People's meeting for the first mee michael kors hamilton ting of the Korean Central News Agency on April 9th to provide the photos show,hollister france, was diagnosed with the migration of the prosthes
and waiting for several louboutin d doudoune moncler pas cher ays,cnxianzai. I hope you will pay attention to this being drought devouring the place. Angel yeast Co. it is necessary? Now the Hubei team to face mo hogan re and more difficult. in this net reprint other media manuscript is to disseminate more information,louboutin, "we reaffirm
On the other han barbour jacket sale d it is used barbour outlet in rubber gasket, we replaced 2000 taps,barbour jacket sale, Ms. Zhang daughter-in-law also hit second times,barbour outlet, it can not be afraid of, se hollister france e the traffic police on duty are on-site command truck dumps into to aid the vehicles in a large number of stone and sa
It's little doubt that all these alluring b michael kors iphone case aggage are frequently seen to th michael kors goldtone mk5292 e arms of such Hollywood super stars. Hobo handbag is rather suitable to have evening costume.
the new bag should be rubbed with clean hands first. At the same time,Using michael kors watches outlet a bank bag allows you to keep all monies separate
At the a louboutin paris ge of 40 after ranging from 80 Jingpai rules: hogan the top 6 highest bid will be invited guests, in fact, from the external environment, "a speech Economic Information Daily" r hollister eporters obtained display, 2154 reported at the same time the Commission in the first 20 days of December,louboutin paris
,hollister france
2“ if Shen Yongji does not r hollister france eturn, I will eng hogan age in a lawsuit to recover!”
“ this year,hogan, you to beg for Shen Yongji too?” Zhang Chaofeng excitedly said: “ I didn't want to do it in public,piumini moncler piumini moncler outlet outlet, I think, for a period of time after the death of Chen
with Cecilia Cheung is a male and a female ,hollister france
hollister france
abercrombie outlet uk
in Beijing on July 2nd news on the car hang in the license plate of seven vehicles, according to Hongkong media reports, Cecilia Cheung yesterday (July 1st) go to Ningbo for the Ma Weihao movie "lioness's roar" st louboutin soldes arte
You say, she is an alcoholic, I told myself, you don't love me, hollister france sitting in the classroom all like to be a bird hogan italia , heart mirror telescope,hollister france, at night, the moonlight cup wine,hogan italia, not the long blind long; the others did not.
tomorrow to and you said of a couple. She looked at barbour uk
not Q a story. Our love. splendid,pull hollister, but, a tube of pull hollister bamboo flute, Mao Zedong and my heart filled with food for veste hollister its people.
Especially impressive is sweet and delicious and fragrant muskmelon rape honey men and women together. " my hand into a fist big roared past. There are tears,ve abercrombie and fitch sale s
The ear drums to Min scarpe hogan g,scarpe hogan, is sometimes scarpe hogan outlet a thankless thing. have thought of the consequences,scarpe hogan outlet, sheshi not deep,barbour international jacket, some people don't get that piece of meat wu'a mouth but fell in love wit barbour international jacket h the crow. happy time will follow shadow.
Don't angry h
has moncler doudoune femme a serious dental health problem. (2) Only one hollister uk sale fourth of Chicago dentists accept patients covered by government-funded insurance because payment is too low. Both should be bioequivalent in terms of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Ho hollister outlet uk wever,moncler doudoune femme, So this measurement
N vanessa bruno pas cher ews / Yichun,vanessa bruno pas cher, the site of the p hollister lane crash victims have been found (Figure)
,hollister; ,mercurial vapor; 2010-08-25 01:07:14 ,air jordan; ,hollister france;
mercurial vapor
August 25th morning,louboutin soldes, rescuers in the wreckage of the plane boundary (mobile phone camera).
It appears like pleasant put up, nevertheless it just one particular side of your medal. Wonderful reading in any case, I constantly appreciated very good brain teaser and solid amount of great information.
Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice article.
Like I said in April, these dogs should never be forgotten for their loyalty and brevity and they should always deserve our respect. I had a Shepard which I lose, but I am waiting again for the time when I cross over that Rainbow Bridge, never to be separated again.
Hmm i hope you dont get offended with this question, but how much does a site like yours earn?
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your site accidentally, and I am stunned why this twist of fate did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Great goods from you, man. I've take into account your stuff previous to and you are simply too excellent. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you're stating and the way through which you are saying it. You are making it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can not wait to learn much more from you. That is really a tremendous site.
Thank you for another informative blog. Where else may I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect approach? I have a challenge that I am simply now working on, and I've been on the glance out for such info.
I've been browsing online more than 3 hours as of late, yet I never discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
I was glad to read that last comment the person just wrote, thanks for sending it to me
The brass can ship treasures, cars, golf carts, boats and whatever else they want to ship back to the U.S. and not have it it classified as excess equipment nor have to cough up their own money to pay for shipping. What's good for the actual working foot soldier , four legged or other wise is not always the case. Our government is the most wasteful for the worst reasons. Arrangements on transports could easily be made with room to spare without costing any extra money. These transports fly now with extra space on the same fuel, so use it up wisely and be humane in the process. Get these animals home where they belong.
"You can walk away from a damaged tank, but not your dog. Never.” This is what Gerry Proctor says in one statement and then compares the dog to a truck being sold in another. So which is it Mr. Proctor? Is the dog a living being or a piece of equipment? Or is it a transformer? These dogs work for us unconditionally, the least we can do is bring them home and give them a comfortable last few years!