After Duty, Dogs Suffer Like Soldiers

New York Times ^ | 1 December 2011 | James Dao

[algernonpj]

Now people are worrying about dog PTSD, but when human combat veterans suffer from PTSD and fall into addictions or despair they’re called bums.

Caring for dogs and caring for humans are not mutually exclusive.

Link to the sort in post 17 and you will sell that Deb Dunham has experienced:
"Hundreds of military visitors have appeared at the Dunhams' door since Jason's death, some of them still crippled by their own combat experiences.

Both of the men that Jason saved struggled with the fact that their friend had died to save them. One wrestled with alcohol and drunk driving. The other ended up so disabled by PTSD and traumatic brain injury that the Marines discharged him."

"Both men grew close to the Dunhams and rely on Deb for motherly advice when they go astray."

[LadyBuck]

Patience is key (along with major amounts of daily exercise and training)....but always patience....

Our 3 shepherds are all rescues, and all came with their own “emotional baggage”. The oldest is 14 and she still has “issues”.

What is strange to me is that these folks are just now figuring out that these battlefield traumas have an effect on the participating dogs. Anyone who has adopted an abused or neglected dog knows exactly what I mean - different circumstances, same kind of problems.

[Racehorse]

Thanks, algernompj, for the link.

Rather an interesting story, not just for this war dog story, nor just for the family of a fallen Marine.

Makes me wonder, does the Lackland AFB animal hospital have a kind of mutual healing program for both our soldiers and canine veterans?

One of our two adopted dogs/companions was a four year old mixed breed Dauchund/some kind of hound. Mildly curious how that sexual feat was accomplished, considering BJ’s size (previous owner named him).

When we adopted him one thing nobody could do, except me for some reason, was touch his hind quarters. He’d snarl and snap at anybody who touched him there.

Over the first few years he grew to tolerate others touching him, but only two years ago did we learn why he did not want to be touched.

The poor guy has arthritis. It hurt to be touched.

Our vet has provided medication which has pretty much worked.

But the sound of thunder . . . an occasional event in San Antonio . . . sends him into extreme distress. But then, so does my occasional hard coughing or sneezing. He’ll instantly get up and leave the room. Otherwise, this guy never lets me out of his sight.

R.

[algernonpj]

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[dblshot]

I hadn’t thought of that but maybe so. This thing is a stretch fabric that hooks up with velcro kind of like a horse blanket but tighter.

[the OlLine Rebel]

GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST

This is a low-volume list………so don’t worry!

(Please Freep-mail me if you’d like to be on or off the list.)

[Gene Eric]

Thanks for the ping, the OlLine Rebel.

No doubt our canine companions suffer. The loyalty and love doesn’t come for free.

[Indy Pendance]

We've had 3 German shepherds dogs in our family, two rescues. They are the best dogs for our family. I can state, as they age, their emotions change. Right now, we have only one, a 13 year old (blue collar, pic below), and I swear, he's got Alzheimer's, or dementia, or hearing loss. Our original puppy (red collar in the pic below), she died last year at 12, suffered from memory loss. She had hip trouble and other issues. Such smart dogs losing their key ability is sad. But, GSD's are fabulous pets.

I'd recommend families without young kids. We LOVE our German Shephards! They bark at anyone intruding on they're space. USP, FED Ex, all of them. They are loyal to their families, their yards, and their space.

Here we are with our new dog back in 2007, he's our last dog right now!

I think we'll take a dog break after this guy ends up with our others. It's so hard having to put down your buddies.

It's so fun letting him go wild on the 23 turkey flock in our backyard! Watching him do his "patroling", all of it.

Our third dog, it's a tough decision. We'll work it out.