I'm with ONG - Page 2

As last years Queen of DB you cannot leave your people. If you do we all will miss you for sure!

I trained dogs at 1/29th Scout Dog Detachmant during the VietNam war. From 1970 to 1972 less than 50 dogs returned to Benning from Vietnam. From 1972 on, none of the dogs were returned so that when 1974 came and we were evacuating, they were all left. I too believe dogs such as the shepherd should serve man. That is the nobility of the dog. Sometimes police dogs get killed, sometimes war dogs get killed, sometimes shepherd dogs get attacked by the wolves, mountain lions, bears,etc. This is the nature of the beast. After seeing the capability of dogs in war it is one of the reasons I can never accept the weak temperament that I see today in the dog. If many of you have seen the BEAUTY OF THE COURAGE of the GSD during the war period or a police dig in a high crime area, then you too would find it DISTASTEFUL to see shepherds that cringe at a loud noise like a whip! Can you imagine guns, grenades, mortar fire, tracers, etc. and we had dogs that literaaly handled these situations productively. I have gotten in an open Chopper with my scout dog and landed with the wind from the blades, dust, cofusion, etc and actually followed my dog to safety in the brush upon disembarking. And most of these dogs were American shepherds when their were no titles in this country, but breeders BRED for dogs that had German Shepherd Temperament, thus capable of going to Benning and Lackland and being trained to serve their country under these conditions. Could the majority of breeders in America today be capable of sending their progeny in to serve the country. If you are not breeding shepherds with that type of temperament then you are not breeding shepherds to me. (I recognize that all dogs will not make the cut) But, if the NATURE of your breeding program is not conducive to them being able to serve man then you are betraying the originator of the breed and more importantly the breed itself.

//""Not wanting to make war here, but I was in Vietnam during the Tet offensive. And personally I would appreciate a dog taking a bullet for me any day. I love dogs, always have and always will, but I also appreciate that they serve a purpose for mankind. I would much rather it be him then my buddy.""// While I held the same opinion at the time I have come to believe that the innocents should not pay a price for what man starts. If we get ourselves into wars, then we should get ourselves through it and out of it without involving God's noble creatures like GSD's. They certainly didn't start it. I guess it's part of my evolving belief that the great majority of time I like GSD's better than I like the great majority of people. Just my humble opinion. Olskool, were you 1st Cav? Th USAF security dog detachments and 1st Cav interacted a lot.

PLease let allow me the honor of being the next one to thank you--- Thank you olskoolgsds for serving our country. Thank you also Old New Guy, Gustav, Do Right and NO fear. God Bless you and those who were there with you. Thank you to everyone who has served our country in the military and thank you to everyone who has risked his or her their lives in service of the public good: police, firemen, and all similar jobs that risk a person's own life for the good of others. Veronica

Do Right, that would be another version of Planet of the Apes, Planet of the Dogs where they would capture us humans, chain us to boxes and make us their slaves and train us for the sport of Manhund LOL.

Do right, we are on the same page on that one. It breaks my heart even sitting hear at this comp. to see the waste of good gsd life abandoned over there. I don't think we will see that again. Public wont go for it.All I ever saw was gsds, mostly black and tan or bi color. Some real solid dogs in courage etc. They were left for food. No doubt in my mind that was their fate. Only disagreement on " they could not be trusted in civilian life back here" I agree that that was the take at the time, but I disagree that many could not have found a useful purpose, maybe too much concern over liabilities though. Gustav, excellent post! The real deal. I love the real deal. The dogs I see today are not the dogs from the 60's or 50's. I do not believe they are the same in Germany as well. Seems to me that all of the free nations have backed up on this, and are far more concerned with social,pretty and everyones buddy. You cannot focus on one area and not hurt the other areas. I do not see any emphasis on aloofness any more. You are considered odd if you want your dog aloof. ONG, I trust dogs far more then people. I like most all dogs and it is easier to accept them then most people. We had no direct contact with USAF.Just grunts wanting to go home, loved the men, loved the dogs, hated the country. Seems like a different life time. Kinda like Do right said " Twilight Zone" I do real well to not go back there, just leave it in the shadows. Sure would be nice to see more dogs like them again. Wont happen, cause P.C.Peta, animal activists and more and more preasure to domesticate all dogs will win out eventually. Just my opinion though. All of you guys have a great day and do what I am going to do, go out and take my friends for a walk and some fun. How I love their fellowship!

Hi Guys, My wife is from Viet Nam. My father in law was an SVA recon pilot marking coordinates for our bombers. After the fall of Saigon he was sent for "retraining" (11 years of forced labor, abuse, and starvation). After release he and many other SVA officers with their families obtained political asylum here. I have learned more from them than I ever could in our left wing dominated education system. I consequently have a greater appreciation for the personal sacrifices as well as the value of your services than most in this country. Thank You, Jonah

jdh, cool! wish there were more of you!!!!!!!!! Nothing like a little reality.

I love to hear about the ones that ended well.!!

Veronica60, Thank you Veronica, you are a sweetheart and you just made my day!