The strain of the growing resistance to the U.S. occupation of Iraq is taking its toll on our canine soldiers. “Before the war in Iraq, it was normal for handlers to stay with their dogs for three to four years. Now, in order to keep the handlers from deploying too often, they are switched after about a year and a half,” reports the estimable USWarDogs.org. The dogs, however, get no comparable relief. The site tells the story of Benny, a six year old German shepherd with an artificial hip, who was redeployed to Iraq for a second tour this autumn on an accelerated duty schedule. Benny saw action in Najaf, Baghdad and Fallujah on his first tour, according to the site. He was wounded when a mortar landed close to him and damaged his ears. Helicopers medevaced him to safety. Marine Corps. canine soldiers in Iraq are fitted with Doggles-brand dog goggles to protect their eyes in case of a sandstorm and booties to protect their feet from the hot sand, said Cpl. Roy Brown of Marine Corps. Air Station Beaufort, according to the site.
