Monday, December 5, 2011

TIME Magazine's "Top 10 Heroic Animals



Eighty-five years after his death, guess who make TIME Magazine’s "Top 10 Heroic Animals?" Sergeant Stubby, a Pit Bull.

Some sources speculated that he was part Boston Terrier and part Pit Bull, while other sources state that he was in fact a pure bred American Pit Bull. His obituary described him as a "Bull terrier" (which was, at the time, synonymous with "American Bull Terrier" and "Pit Bull terrier"). One thing is for sure: he was not a Shih-Tzu.

At the Smithsonian
Sgt. Stubby's endeavors are well chronicled. Just follow the links at the bottom, if you are interested.  Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. In 1921, the Humane Education Society awarded him a special gold medal for service to his country. It was presented by General John Pershing.


Riffenberg’s blog reminds us of the unavoidable irony that the dog that was the most decorated military dog in the history of United States, today would not be allowed on any of America’s military bases.

Way to go people: take something precious and turn it into anathema.

As a note to all dog haters out there: four of the “Top 10 Heroic Animals” are dogs. Trackr, the 9/11 hero, was cloned five times. Mei Chan, the “loyal tsunami dog is a Brittany spaniel.  Brittanies are genuinely sweet bird dogs. Togo the Sled Dog is a Siberian Husky, Trackr was a German Shepherd, and Sgt. Stubby a Pit Bull. With the exception of Mei Chan's, all the others' breeds frequently make the top 10 “vicious dogs” lists of people who use such terminology.

References:

Wikipedia

Smithsonian - The Price of Freedom: American at War.

History Wired

A Connecticut Hero

Disonancia

Riffenberg's blog: U.S. & World Political News & Opinion
The Most Decorated Dog in History Would Not Be Allowed on Military Bases Today.

Sgt. Stubby: American War Dog


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