Synopses & Reviews
A leading reporter offers a tour of military working dogs' extraordinary training, heroic accomplishments, and the lasting impacts they have on those who work with them.
People all over the world have been riveted by the story of Cairo, the Belgian Malinois who was a part of the Navy SEAL team that led the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. A dog's natural intelligence, physical abilities, and pure loyalty contribute more to our military efforts than ever before. You don't have to be a dog lover to be fascinated by the idea that a dog-the cousin of that furry guy begging for scraps under your table-could be one of the heroes who helped execute the most vital and high-tech military mission of the new millennium.
Now Maria Goodavage, editor and featured writer for one of the world's most widely read dog blogs, tells heartwarming stories of modern soldier dogs and the amazing bonds that develop between them and their handlers. Beyond tales of training, operations, retirement, and adoption into the families of fallen soldiers, Goodavage talks to leading dog-cognition experts about why dogs like nothing more than to be on a mission with a handler they trust, no matter how deadly the IEDs they are sniffing, nor how far they must parachute or rappel from aircraft into enemy territory.
"Military working dogs live for love and praise from their handlers," says Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association and a former marine scout dog handler. "The work is all a big game, and then they get that pet, that praise. They would do anything for their handler." This is an unprecedented window into the world of these adventurous, loving warriors.
Review
Praise for
Soldier Dogs:
and#8220;A moving portrait of the loyal, courageous, furry warriors who truly are an enlisted Manand#8217;s Best Friend.and#8221;
and#8212;People
and#8220;A fascinating window into a different kind of military life.and#8221;
and#8212;Booklist
and#8220;A well-deserved salute to the militaryand#8217;s and#8216;paws-on-the-ground heroes.and#8217; and#8221;and#160;
and#8212;Kirkus
and#160;
and#8220;Aand#160;mustand#160;read and#8212; I say againand#160;mustand#160;read and#8212; book if you have ever served anywhere theyand#8217;ve had paws on the ground.and#8221;and#160;
and#8212;David Reeder,and#160;Military.com
and#8220;[Soldier Dogs] is written in an easy and entertaining style and will acquaint you with dozens of canine heroes ranging from Stubby, who fought in WWI, to Cairo, who was a member of the raiding party that took down Osama Bin Laden. It is a great read for anyone who appreciates dogs and heroes.and#8221;
and#8212;Stanley Coren, author of How Dogs Think
and#8220;Inspiring personal stories of the many canine allies (and their handlers) who have dramatically enhanced military command units . . . [Soldier Dogs] examines how this indelible human-canine bond often transcends the atrocities of wartime violence.and#8221; and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
and#8220;If the idea of dogs at war conjures up thoughts of harsh methods and unrelenting discipline, think again. Maria Goodavageand#8217;s revealing and engaging book exposes the unexpected trust and affection that flows both ways between dog and handler. You may already care about dogs: This book will heighten your respect for them.and#8221;
and#8212;John Bradshaw, author of Dog Sense
Review
Praise forand#160;Top Dog
"An eye-opening account of the job these intelligent dogs and their courageous handlers do...[a] riveting title that is filled with excitement and heartbreak." --and#160;Library Journaland#160;(starred review)
"Whether someone likes to read "war" books or not, this story is one that transcends "war." I have read nothing that so adroitly weaves together the relationship between our young warriors and man's best friend, from Iraq to Afghanistan and then coming home in body, mind and spirit. If I could write half so well and capture the essence of things largely left unspoken, I would write letters to God!"and#160;
and#8212;Marine General James Mattis (Ret.)
"...an absolutely fascinating and an accurate portrayal of the importance of military working dogs and their handlers on today's complex battlefield. The book is extremely well written and skillfully paints the picture of the passionate relationship between military working dog and its handler. It has my highest recommendations." -- Army Lieutenant General Rick Lynch (Ret.)
"I LOVED Top Dog. With a single glance into Lucca's soulful knowing eyes, you will fall in love. Heartwarming and heart-rending until its joyous conclusion, Maria Goodavage brilliantly renders the growing love and loyalty between Lucca and her handlers -- a bond of such incredible strength it transcends war, distance, and time. Meet the amazing Lucca, and you will wish she was yours!"
and#8212;Robert Crais, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Suspect
and#8220;Maria Goodavage's Top Dog is a true war story with a heart as heroic and bold as any account ever told, only here the tale centers on a four-legged warrior, specifically one named Lucca, a courageous and stalwart war dog of incomparable bravery. This is no dry accounting of Lucca's service, but a gritty, boots-on-the-ground portrayal of what it means to share the battlefield with such a remarkable animal. Written with authority, warmth, and genuine honor, here is a story that not only needs to be told, but should be read by all. It's a new classic, one that will inspire everyone.and#8221;
and#8212;James Rollins, New York Times bestseller of The Kill Switchand#160;
"A masterfully told epic of one of the canine heroes of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I doubt many readers will finish the book with a dry eye--this veteran of 28 months in Iraq, for one, could not. Semper Fi, Lucca."and#160;and#8212;Col. (Ret.) Peter Mansoor, author ofand#160;Surge: My Journey with General David Petraeus and the Remaking of the Iraq War
"Written like an adventure, with heart-pounding combat sequences, high tension, and suspense as well as moments of deep emotion and bonding, "Top Dog" is a must read for anyone who appreciates heroes of both the two-legged and four-legged kind." - Stanley Coren, author ofand#160;The Intelligence of Dogs, How to Speak Dog,and#160;and others
and#160;
Review
"A moving portrait of the loyal, courageous, furry warriors who truly are an enlisted Man's Best Friend."
-People Magazine
Review
“
Soldier Dogs is a fascinating book about the valiant things that military dogs do as told through the words of the soldiers who fight beside them. It also shows you how military service dogs are created, told through the words of the trainers and scientists who know the process. It is written in an easy and entertaining style and will acquaint you with dozens of canine heroes ranging from Stubby, who fought in WWI, to Cairo, who was a member of the raiding party that took down Osama Bin Laden. It is a great read for anyone who appreciates dogs and heroes.”
-Stanley Coren
Review
“Inspiring personal stories of the many canine allies (and their handlers) who have dramatically enhanced military command units and examines how this indelible human-canine bond often transcends the atrocities of wartime violence.”
-Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Stories of spooked pups aboard battle-bound Hueys and dogs in the line of fire reveal surprisingly human-like response to war, and posit these military mutts as admirable—and capable—soldiers. "
-Publishers Weekly
Review
"If the idea of dogs at war conjures up thoughts of harsh methods and unrelenting discipline, think again. Maria Goodavage's revealing and engaging books exposes the unexpected trust and affection that flows both ways between dog and handler. You may already care about dogs: This book will heighten your respect for them."
-John Bradshaw, author of Dog Sense
Review
“I have read nothing that so adroitly weaves together the relationship between our young warriors and man's best friend, from Iraq to Afghanistan and then coming home in body, mind and spirit.”—Marine General James Mattis (Ret.)
“A true war story with a heart as heroic and bold as any account ever told...It's a new classic, one that will inspire everyone.”
—James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of The 6th Extinction
Synopsis
The New York Times bestseller by the author of Soldier Dogs delivers the incredible story of K-9 Marine hero Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A specialized search dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler to sniff out deadly explosives. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name.
Here, in gritty detail, is the gripping account of Lucca's adventures on and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds and rooftop firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas such violence can inflict.
Top Dog is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest military readers.
About the Author
Maria Goodavage, a former reporter for USA Today and the San Francisco Chronicle, is the editor and featured writer for one of the most widely read dog blogs in the world, "For the Love of Dog" at Dogster.com. She is the author of The Dog Lover's Companion to California and The Dog Lover's Companion to the San Francisco Bay Area. She coproduced and wrote an award-winning children's video about dogs and other animals, starring the voice of Ed Asner. She lives with her family in San Francisco, and the four-legged guy on their team is a Lab named Jake.