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A soldier's best friend

Katherine O'Neill, June 12, 2008 at 11:52 AM EST

Afghanistan and dog

Stress: It's every soldier's constant, and unwelcomed, companion. The stress of a dangerous job. The stress of being separated from family and friends for so long. It often gnaws away at soldiers. A sergeant recently told me he feels guilty about the stress he's caused his family back in Quebec. “My wife is scared of the telephone,” he said. “Every time it rings, she thinks it is bad news.”

At Kandahar Air Field (KAF), there are lots of “distractions” for soldiers, including movies, parties, stores, restaurants and even churches. However, the farther away you travel from KAF, distractions become fewer and further between. That's why it's not surprising how many pets, mainly dogs, you'll find at the various Canadian military outposts and forward operating bases scattered throughout Kandahar province. It's a morale-booster that barks.

Most of the dogs are either strays or were abandoned by Afghan owners, often as puppies. At Masum Ghar, there's Jimmy and Uno (as well as a litter of kittens). At Sperwan Ghar, you've got Shadow. He's left with dogsitters when the soldiers who look after him are out on patrols or operations. At Zangabad, there's Wiley. Almost a year old, the mutt only has the use of three legs. However, that doesn't stop him from going out on patrols and operations with the outpost's soldiers. He walks point and rarely barks. During rests, he walks the line, trying to get a pet from each soldier before the march starts up again. One soldier told me that during one particularly long and hot patrol, he wanted to drop out, but didn't because the “damn three-legged dog” was still wagging his tail and hopping along.  Wiley eats rations like his owners. Although, he often gets the least favourite: Hungarian goulash.

 

 

 

 

  1. E Schroedr from WINNIPEG, Canada writes: A dog will most always be your Best Friend, especiallya "MUT" type dog. In a stressful and lonely situation the Dog will not be judging you, forming biased opinions or use you for it's own agenda. A dog will wag it's tail and jsut ask for some care and compasion back. As a Dog owner and parent of a serving deployed Soldier the dogs are a bit of comfort in a distant land. The world would possibly be a better place if people had tails and they were as easy to read as dogs.
  2. Avi Girl from Canada writes: “He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”
  3. The NeoCynic from Cayman Islands writes: LOL!

    While US airstrikes are killing Pakistani soldiers, Kabul is falling to the Taliban, peace talks are underway between Afghan politicians and the Taliban, you are scribbling about a dog??

    Have you no "professional" dignity? Or is the dog within hailing distance of the NATO Press Tent?

    You are a waste of pixels.
  4. 14th CTR from Canada writes: Hey The NeoCynic, Not all stories have to be about politics, death and destruction, this story is about people, their lives and what a small thing like a dog can do to cheer them up....
    nice story.
  5. Casandra Whatman from Toronto, Canada writes: Ignoramus from the Caymans... are you kidding? do you even know what a blog is?!?!? A blog is a forum for "slice of life" and informal info.
    these daily blogs are not only informative for Cdns who are interested in what daily life is like over there.. but also comforting for family members who have soliders over there.
    if you want to see the reporter's articles about her experience in afghanistan, please re-direct your mouse to the columns she has written in the "newspaper".
  6. mike mcarthur from Vancouver, Canada writes: Nice little story, please ignore the ignorant comments above.
  7. james mcgillawee from Oshawa, Canada writes: Excellent article/blog what ever! More pictures of the canines, Please!
    Ignore the Neocynics, as they are typical of what is wrong in this world! Canis familiaris have saved minds as well as lives and does not get the credit due.
  8. Jeff T from Canada writes: The NeoCynic from Cayman Islands writes: LOL! While US airstrikes are killing Pakistani soldiers, Kabul is falling to the Taliban, peace talks are underway between Afghan politicians and the Taliban, you are scribbling about a dog?? ----- Wow, that is one vivid imagination you have there. Kabul is NOT falling to the Taliban. Clearly you have drank the cool aid a little to early Mr Babbling fool from rabble. And what exactly are your press credentials for commenting on this peice? School editor in grade 6? That would be about where your journalistic skills are, right with your research skills.
  9. Ian Gunn from Minneapolis, United States writes: Hungarian goulash still in those wonderful meals packs! Come on CF, those were horrible tasting in the 80s! Obviously an attempt at aging them for flavour hasn't gone off very well. Poor dogs.

    Good story btw, thanks Ms O'Neill.
  10. Jeff T from Canada writes: Ian Gunn, life is good when you like the Hungarian Goulash IMP... Ya always get the food you like! Seriously though, our meal packs have come a very very long way in terms of quality.
  11. My Say from Canada writes: Ms. ONeill is writing a blog. For those of you, like Mr. NeoCynic, who do not understand the purpose of a blog, here is it--- A blog is short for "Web log," a specialized site that allows an individual to share a running log of events and personal insights with online audiences. This is not investigative reporting nor should it be. Based on the reporting I've seen in the G&M, this blog is ONE of the ways the paper is trying to get its readers a more complete picture of what's happening on the ground. They also appear to be doing a fairly good job of having other reporters cover the political and international aspects of this very complex story. Ms. O'Neill has chosen to provide readers with her observations on a number of interesting and timely topics, including the different ways these soldiers are trying to cope with the stress of living in this dangerous environment. It is inaccurate to say that she only reports on what is within "hailing distance of the NATO tent." Just read her blog from June 9, 2008, where she described going out on night patrol. How many times a week does your job as an armchair journalist require you to navigate landmines in the middle of the night? I say well done to Ms. O'Neill for taking the personal risk (one that many of us would never accept) to bring us these compelling stories.
  12. Linda L Petten from Canada, Canada writes: It was wonderful so see my son kneeling and a smile on his face when greeting Shadow. We have heard so much about the dog and how all the military members enjoy having him around. It's good to hear a possitive comment every so offten. This coming from a Mother.

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