11th hour of the 11thday of the 11th month...

It's a grey day today, it's raining and that seems appropriate , as we stop and remember those who served and didn't return in years past. Somehow all the parades and poppy tributes seem to help, but do they remind us of our forces who are still serving far from home? Did you know that there are upwards of 100 service dogs currently on duty in Places like Afghanistan?  I tried so hard to get one of those Poppy's to hang of my collar but I couldn't get one. Not too impressed with wearing a flower in my collar but I am determined to show support. Us dogs have been used in wars for thousands of years.... Doing our duty, along with the likes of horses and pidgeons, and it's them I would like to remind you of. Along with the security and explosive sniffer dogs, our sort fight other battles...... Against disease, loneliness and physical disability. Think of the ones you see .... Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs. Then add the depression support dogs, Autism support dogs, a gap where in Canada,  Bernese and Bernese retriever crosses are leading the field. Then there are the dogs that give warning for those with chronic Diabetes , narcolepsy , and epileptic fits. Then the lower profile pooches,  search and rescue! the Newfies that practise water rescue off Cornwall. The sheepdogs that cover miles to bring home the livestock when the weather is closing down working in a team or on his own. Then, you have that group of specialists that we hardly ever talk about.  The dogs trained and being trained to scent cancers, the cadaver dogs, and those who can scent remains lost in water. As a species there is nothing to touch us, and I for one am extremely proud of our heritage.  So just remember all those who also served and are still serving that have four paws.... When it's the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Wear your collar with pride.....Cool runnings Gryff