Mans best friend

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I read the original article earlier in the week and it still really gets to me. The sad tale of a soldier and his dog:

http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.a...ntid=156352967

Felt I should share this one with TBer's across the pond, as I know there are many animal lovers here and a general pro-army feel. The loss of any solidier is a terrible one, but this one just seemed to strike a cord with me:

They served together and died together. Now Army dog handler Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and his springer spaniel Theo are to be flown home together.

L/Cpl Tasker was shot on Tuesday while the pair were on patrol in Helmand province. Theo died of a seizure shortly afterwards.

Three weeks ago Theo was praised by the Ministry of Defence for making 14 finds of hidden bombs and weapons caches in just five months - a record for a dog and handler.

The 22-month-old spaniel, on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, had uncovered so many improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that his time in the country was extended by a month.

Serving with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, L/Cpl Tasker had praised the dog for his dedication.

"I love my job and working with Theo. He has a great character and never tires," he said last month. "He can't wait to get out and do his job and will stop at nothing."

L/Cpl Tasker, 26, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, was the 358th member of the British armed forces to die since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001. He died from injuries sustained in a fire fight with the Taliban, while Theo died after returning to the main British military base Camp Bastion.

On Friday the Ministry of Defence confirmed Theo's ashes would be returned to British soil in the same aircraft as his handler. They will be flown into RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire next week.

A spokeswoman said: "A dog can not be repatriated, but they will be returned to the UK on the same day, in the same plane."

Theo is the sixth British military dog killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

(there are longer articles out there, but the MSN News one covers the basics of it)

[sloasdaylight]

Stories like this always get to me.

[jumbo_steelie]

yeah I'm wellin up myself....

[Radical Edward]

[machine gewehr]

What a story...

I started appreciating dogs more than I used to.Especially these SOB cats started scratching me after I feed them...

[MAJOR METAL]

My sympathy to the family of Lance Corporal Tasker.My thanks and appreciation for the contribution the U.K. is making in this effort.

[Jeff K]

As a former military dog handler myself, stories like this always hit me hard. Very sad...

[Big_Daddy]

Stories about our fallen soldiers always get to me, and stories about fallen dogs always get to me.

Both is just a recipe for 'getting to me even more'-er.

[odie]

Sad story and I am thankful for what they both have done for all the world. I am glad they will rest together....

[machine gewehr]

[sloasdaylight]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

That's awesome.

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

My sympathy to the family of Lance Corporal Tasker.My thanks and appreciation for the contribution the U.K. is making in this effort.

Big +1 here. I always think about this and can't say enough how much I appreciate them helping our war efforts. I hope England knows we would do the same.

I'm a sucker for a dog so this story got to me big. May they RIP, they deserve that and much more.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by basstotheface

Big +1 here. I always think about this and can't say enough how much I appreciate them helping our war efforts. I hope England knows we would do the same.

I'm a sucker for a dog so this story got to me big. May they RIP, they deserve that and much more.

UK ≠ England.

L/Cpl Tasker wasn't from England.

Not the point of the thread, but something that I do find irksome.

Also, the US has done the same. It's what allies do (better late than never )

[/derail]

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

UK ≠ England.

L/Cpl Tasker wasn't from England.

Not the point of the thread, but something that I do find irksome.

Also, the US has done the same. It's what allies do (better late than never )

[/derail]

I know this, but here in the US, England means the UK, not to take away from Scotland or Wales. Definitely not right, and I know this but it's a habit, The USA doesn't equate to America either but we still call it America.

Go allies!

[Skitch it!]

Bravery, selflessness and intuitive trust to the mark. I wish both respect and peace for their sacrifice to help others.