[TOD4wDTQ]

Here is a story of Stubby. I know most know of him but for those that don't here is a good read. I have friends in the military and can't stand the fact that they are banning any dog that even resembles the "pit bull"

"The military's choice of selecting the Pit Bull proved to be ultimately prophetic, as a dog of the breed named Stubby, was to become a hero of the war. An Army Private had originally found him as a stray pup on the campus of Yale University and the two soon developed a strong bond. A few months later, the private received his orders to depart for the war in Europe. He couldn't bring himself to say goodbye to his new friend, so he smuggled him under his coat as he boarded a U.S. troop ship for France.
When the ship finally landed, Conroy's superior officer discovered Stubby. The officer was outraged that Conroy was trying to bring a pet into a war zone. He told Convey to get rid of him, as dogs " had no business being on a battleground." Just as it seemed that Stubby would be abandoned at the next French village, a strange and wonderful thing happened, the dog raised one of its paws up to its eye and saluted the officer. The officer stood silent in amazement, until he could no longer control himself, then he busted out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. After calming down, he told Conroy that he could keep the dog, as it might prove to be a good morale boost for the troops. It was a fortunate thing for Stubby that Convey had taught him the trick.
The 102nd Infantry, along with their new mascot Stubby, reached the trenches of the French war front in February of 1918. The first thirty days were a constant bombardment of shelling that continued day and night. The soldiers in the unit were amazed by the coolness that Stubby demonstrated under such nightmarish conditions. They were further surprised when he took it upon himself to leave the relative safety of the trenches and boldly wander out into "no-man's-land." Undaunted by exploding mortar rounds and machine-gun crossfire, he braved danger to located injured American soldiers. On Stubby's first exposure to mustard gas he became sick and was taken to the field hospital. After this he became very sensitive to the gas and would bark excitedly when he sensed its presence in the air. Several times he saved the entire platoon by warning them of incoming gas attacks.

During his time in France with the 102nd Infantry, Stubby took on the duties of night sentry, carrier of intelligence between the trenches, and search and rescue. A further heroic deed of Stubby, was when he single-handedly captured a German spy who was gathering intelligence on the Allied position. Stubby rooted him out of his hiding place, and chomped onto the seat of his pants and refused to let go, much to the delight and cheering of the platoon. The Commander of the 102nd was so impressed by the brave dog that he put in a request for his promotion. The request was granted and Stubby was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, thus he became the first dog in U.S. Armed Forces history to recieve a military rank. Towards the end of the war, the loyal Pit Bull was severely injured in a German attack on the American position at St. Mihel. The enemy rushed the Allied trenches and a grenade exploded next to the dog. The soldiers of the 102nd rushed to the aid of Stubby who appeared lifeless after the blast. The men were almost certain he was dead, as he had taken a near direct hit, which imbedded a large amount of the metal shrapnel in his chest and right leg. Although bleeding and broken, he was still alive and was rushed to the field hospital. As his situation was deemed critical, he was transported from the field hospital to the American Red Cross, where doctors performed emergency surgery to save his life. Once fully recovered, he was returned to the front where he continued to serve and protect the men of the 102nd.

After having served in seventeen battles in WWI, Stubby returned home to the U.S. in April of 1919, to a hero's welcome. The French government, in recognition of Stubby's service, presented him with four medals for bravery, including the Republic of France Grande War Medal. The United States Military also presented Stubby with several medals, the most prestigious being the Purple Heart, for being injured in combat while serving his country. On his victory tour, Stubby met President Wilson at the White House, and gave the Commander in Chief, his now famous doggy salute. Stubby became the mascot for the University of Georgetown football team and he also split his time between charity events and various parades. Later he settled down with his owner to spend the last couple years of his life in Littleton, Colorado. After his death, the Smithsonian Institute erected a permanent display to honor the most decorated dog soldier in U.S. Military history, a distinction that he still holds to this day. Prior to WWI, dogs were not involved in military service, but it was Stubby who inspired the creation of the military and civil law enforcement K-9 units. "

---------- Post added at 09:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------

[Grizli]

Bravo!

[Maryjasmine]

I always love to read about Sgt. Stubby!!

[Necedofer]

but.... Stubby's not a pit bull.

[TOD4wDTQ]

But he like most of their other mascots fell into the "Pit Bull" type. Same as the ban they have passed. Anything they think resembles a "Pit Bull" must be removed with in a certain amount of time or they will retun and the home owner will recieve a fine at which time they will remove the animal for you.

---------- Post added at 08:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 AM ----------

Here is another "Pit Bull" type military dog.

"Jack Brutus was another famous military dog. Although, he did not get nearly the publicity as Stubby, Jack Brutus was the the official mascot of Company K, First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was much larger than Stubby and was never smuggled anywhere with his troops (as Stubby had been). Jack Brutus died in 1898 of spinal troubles and constipation. He was much larger than the famous Sergeant Stubby but was definitely a pit bull type dog."

---------- Post added at 08:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------

Celebrity Owned Pit Bulls

• Theodore Roosevelt
• Woodrow Wilson
• General George Patton
• Helen Keller
• Jamie Foxx
• Rachael Ray
• Jon Stewart
• Ken Howard
• Jessica Biel
• Jessica Alba
• Kevin Federline
• Pink
• Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Thomas Edison
• Helen Keller
• Fred Astaire
• John Steinbeck
• Humphrey Bogart
• Barbara Eden
• Mary Tyler Moor.

---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------


WW1 poster featuring a pit bull as representation of the U.S.

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 AM ----------

Willie Faithful friend mourns American hero. Along with the many millions to mourn the passing of American hero, General George S. Patton, Jr., is his dog "Willie," the late general's companion Bull Terrier. Bad Nauheim, Germany January 1946.

[VXHLrsO1]

what kind of dog was he

[BPitt]

I am ganna e-mail my mom the story, I don't think she has ever read it, and since she works for customs it might go around for a bit.

[TOD4wDTQ]

what kind of dog was he

It has been said he was an APBT but he was found on a college campus. So no one can be certain. But he fits the "Pit Bull" description.

I put quotations on "Pit Bull" to signify the media's interpretation of one, which entails about 8 breeds. I call only 1 dog a Pit Bull and that is the APBT.

---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 AM ----------

I am ganna e-mail my mom the story, I don't think she has ever read it, and since she works for customs it might go around for a bit.

Then she should enjoy this.

"Popsicle is the number one US customs dog. She was found in a freezer during a drug raid by Buffalo police in 1997. They found Popsicle as a 5 month old puppy, who quickly became a favorite. He graduated his training at the Canine Enforcement Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia, and went to work with his handler, J.J., in Texas."

[BPitt]

"Thanks. It is a good story."
that is what my mom said about the Stubby story, I sent it to her on her work e-mail so she could not say much, I will send her the popsicle story too...I almost think she probably met popsicle, she went down to the dog training facility back in the 90s and told me she saw some of the dogs being trained, I just can't remember if it was early/mid/late 90s though hehe. But I do know that they used to bring in some customs dogs to have a customs day for bring your child to work day back in the 90s >.<