17 August 2011

Canberran Lost in Afghanistan. Vale Lucky the Labrador.

| johnboy
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lucky

Defence have the sad news of a Canberra loss in the mire of Afghanistan.

During the Northern Helmand battle of 4 July, where Sergeant Todd Langley died, Lucky the Explosive Detection Dog was last seen bravely charging “a major insurgent concentration” and has been heard of no more.

Lucky was the the dirty dozen of the dog world having been rescued from the long needle at Canberra City Pound in 2010.

He was just two years old.

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troll-sniffer10:14 am 18 Aug 11

johnboy said :

Well, he might have been; he’s sort of Schrodingers’ Dog from our frame of reference.

Could be a basis for one of them fancy pants thesis thingies at the Eh En You coonnit?

Jethro said :

11 comments and no-one has mentioned that the blown up dog was called Lucky.

Because he hasnt been blown up.

Well, he might have been; he’s sort of Schrodingers’ Dog from our frame of reference.

11 comments and no-one has mentioned that the blown up dog was called Lucky.

Captain RAAF9:56 pm 17 Aug 11

The ADF have beed recruiting/accepting dogs from the RSPCA for decades. These are usually problem dogs, too feisty, too headstrong, too badass, the ones they can’t give away basically.
A lot of these dogs are literally on death row and they end up living fantastic and long lives. One goes missing in Afghanistan and people are up in arms over it?

Get a grip!

It’s a pet hate of mine actually – stories highlighting cutesy dogs in war, when thousands of unnamed humans are dying. But that’s just me. I now prepare for incoming ordnance from dog owners who want pet-shaped memorials on Anzac day, and Canberra cafes who provide dog menus.

creative_canberran9:45 pm 17 Aug 11

laughtong said :

I hope I am not out of place here. I was a little peturbed at how the Canberra Times portrayed this story.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/war-dogs-death-draws-rspca-ire/2260887.aspx

From the reports this dog was hours away from being killed at the pound anyway.
At worst he had a year of being well cared for, with training and stimulation for his good brain and the exercise he needed. At best he has solid training to allow him to settle into the circumstances he is in.
Homes that can manage dogs with the energy and drive the Army requires are not easy to find.

It is sad, but really what do you think the dog would have preferred?

That really was beyond reason. I mean a dog can die from getting a tic in the park? The dog was soon to be put down anyway. Better to give this dog a chance to live life to the fullest, if even for a short time.

And most of these dogs are equipped with body armour and PPE the equivalent of what soldiers wear so it’s not like they’re been sent there as canon fodder or something to walk on and blow up IEDs. They receive protection, are well cared for and do what they love. And by all accounts have not just one loving owner but whole brigades who care for them.

Dogs love to work. The best drug and bomb detection dogs are those that are also the naughtiness with the most energy and focus. He had a better life than most working animals.

I hope I am not out of place here. I was a little peturbed at how the Canberra Times portrayed this story.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/war-dogs-death-draws-rspca-ire/2260887.aspx

From the reports this dog was hours away from being killed at the pound anyway.
At worst he had a year of being well cared for, with training and stimulation for his good brain and the exercise he needed. At best he has solid training to allow him to settle into the circumstances he is in.
Homes that can manage dogs with the energy and drive the Army requires are not easy to find.

It is sad, but really what do you think the dog would have preferred?

EvanJames said :

Elmo said :

That’s really sad… Animals never get a choice- people do!

So true. It’s all the sadder, he didn’t choose to be there and trusted his mates.

Couldn’t agree more 🙁

Elmo said :

That’s really sad… Animals never get a choice- people do!

So true. It’s all the sadder, he didn’t choose to be there and trusted his mates.

ConanOfCooma10:07 am 17 Aug 11

He’s missing – No one said he was dead. He’s probably sucking on milk of the poppy (puppy?) and smoking a hookah.

Captain RAAF9:45 am 17 Aug 11

amarooresident3 said :

That is very sad. Hopefully he will turn up in the future like that other one did.

Yes and no. I would like to see him found but you have no idea what a sh*tfight it was to bring that other dog back just recently! If found, he should just go to Al Minhad and be the base mascot until he karks it or we pull out.

That’s really sad… Animals never get a choice- people do!

amarooresident39:07 am 17 Aug 11

That is very sad. Hopefully he will turn up in the future like that other one did.

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