Paws to Protect: Dogs Saving Lives and Restoring Hope

Paws to Protect was a heartwarming story about service dogs and their trainers. It takes generous hearts and spirits to train a dog for service while at the same time giving them the love they so deserve. There are many service dogs for example in our police departments but with the money crunch towns are considering doing away with the service. That is such a huge mistake. If we ever needed to know what length our animals will go for us this is the time.

IT IS SURELY TIME SOMEONE TOOK THE TIME TO ACCEPT AND APPRECIATE THE ROLE DOGS PLAYED AND DO PLAY IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES TO SAY NOTHING OF THE MILITARY. VERY FEW PEOPLE EVER TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THE CANINES IN EVERYONE'S DAILY LIFE AND THE SECURITY THEY INSURE!!

You might think we know all there is to know about police and military dogs, they go out and protect officers and find bombs and things like that. Wrong! There is an incredible amount that goes into every dog -- and it all has a historical basis, which I loved. There are Collies who blew up Russian tanks, a Yorkie who saved a Pacific airport, a Pit Bull who got his unit away from a gas bomb and then nearly died as a result. There are stories in here that will make you cry, not because they are sad but because the effort and determination that the dogs put into saving their people is overwhelming. Really, if you start reading this, it will keep you up all night. It's that good.

This book tells so many interesting stories about dogs protecting people and finding explosives, arsonists, drugs and Mediterranean fruit flies that you don't want to put it down. I meant to read just a little every night but found myself totally caught up in it and reading until 3 a.m.! My favorite is the story of the Yorkshire Terrier who worked to win World War II in the Pacific. Also the story of the dog who barked all the way to the Iraqi villages and wouldn't shut up until he started searching. Also the story of the dog who caught Germans entering on the beach during World War II. Also the story of the people who train constantly to be part of Search and Rescue and get up in the middle of the night to find lost children. This is a very inspiring and touching book.

This book is great reading for anyone who loves dogs. I was surprised by how much I learned that I didn't know, even though I read a lot about dogs. There are stories of dogs currently serving in Iraq, Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds who protect the borders, Labrador Retrievers who catch arsonists, Beagles who find contraband in luggage coming in to the country, and Jack Russell Terriers who keep snakes from entering Hawaii! The writing is smooth and flowing. Once you start reading, you can't stop. Highly recommended! Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of DogsPaws and Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs