Okay, I think I can finally post a reply without saying something that would force the powers that be, to ban me.

Michael, I laid in mortar bunkers with dogs, and used my body to shield an MWD when stray rounds came over the wall in the middle of the night. I had body armor, and the dog didn't.
His handler knelt on one side, and I knelt on the other, until we could get to cover.

They weren't my dogs. But EVERY single MP, loved those dogs. Those dogs were our fellow MPs. They were our friends. They were our partners. We lived for those dogs.

We spent more time worrying about the dogs getting hurt, running around on our crappy, hadjii-labor porch, than we did worrying about getting shot or blown-up.

My husband and sons were thousands of miles away.
We were dropped in the middle of hell, and those dogs were our family, our ONLY family, more than you will EVER be able to fathom.

You haven't earned the right to question our love for those dogs.
And you damned sure haven't earned the right to question the integrity or honor, of a single person who has ever put on a badge, and put their safety, put their LIFE on the line, for YOU. I'm sorry you couldn't make the cut, kiddo. But don't begrudge those that did.

You're ungrateful and ill-informed, and it saddens me that I watched some damned fine soldiers die, for your right to say such stupid, inane crap.

You'd better learn to respect those that have earned it, Mikey. Either that, or stay on the damned porch.

I've kept quiet for the last few days because I have been so steamed that I knew I would end up saying something and being banned for it. I've read this thread, and the asinine posts that were put on here, and I have been going back and forth with whether or not to continue not posting, saying something that would get me in trouble (but make me feel a whole lot better), and speaking up, even if it's just to let the LE officers (blanket statement there, but that includes you too, Alyssa) know how much admiration and respect I have, and how upset it makes me whenever someone makes horrid statements belittling the sacrifice they make every day they put on the uniform.
After a few hours, I chose the latter.
A year and a half ago I lost one of my closest friends. A k9 officer in my area drove his car into an oncoming car to stop it from causing a massive pile up on the interstate. The driver of the other car (unknown until later) had a massive heart attack and died behind the wheel. His car crossed the median, and was headed into a busy interstate going the wrong way, unmanned, at 70 MPH. The officer veered off and hit the car head on, causing it to stop before going into traffic. 5 other cars plowed into the wreckage, but it was estimated that at least 10-15 other cars and a schoolbus full of children on their way home from a field trip would have been involved had he not done that. There were a few injuries we transported that day from that wreck, around 3-4, most were treated and released that same day. 1 was hospitalized, but made a full recovery. There were 2 deaths on scene. The officer who stopped the massive pileup, Cpl Mike Deese and his k9 partner, Sonja. I will never get that scene out of my head for the rest of my life. Mike was an AMAZING officer, who regularly volunteered in the community. He coached kids off duty, in his OWN time whose parents were unable to afford extra curricular activities. He worked with the police cadets, and he was an amazing person. He was a great friend. He was also an amazing handler. See, he AND his former k9 partner were shot in the line of duty in 2003. He was being wheeled out to the ambulance, and nearly got into a fight with medical personnel because he wanted to tend to his k9 partner, and make sure he was ok before allowing treatment for himself. That k9 was still living in his home, retired, the day he died.
His dedication was an inspiration for MANY officers in this area, and at his funeral k9 handlers from over 3 states showed up with their dogs to pay them BOTH the respect that they earned.
Making statements like the one that you made, Michael, says a lot about you as a person.
And, for the record, I lived up north for 8 years, and I worked hand in hand with law enforcement up there. If the only experience that you supposedly have had was negative, then you must not have gotten out much, or met many officers.
I really hope that you learn to think about what you post before you post it.
I especially hope that you learn to stop insulting people and degrading them.
I don't appreciate the message that I have gotten from you, and I don't appreciate the way that you have talked to me either. I don't appreciate you egging me on in private, then jumping down my throat and insulting me in public.
But I really, REALLY despise you thinking you have ANY right to insult the people who put their life on the line every day of every week and year to protect someone who says things as spiteful as you have in a public forum.
You should be ashamed of yourself.

 Quote:

I've kept quiet for the last few days

Thank god for that :p

Thanks everyone for your support of Police and Military K9 Officers . I just want to clarify for those reading this though that it's ok to say you've seen poor examples of Police K9 teams . They're out there and I've seen alot of them . But there are also lots of good ones out there also .

We can all benefit from open discussions on that type of subject .

I believe Michael H. has seen some of these poor examples . He just went to far by then starting to make blanket statements about all Police K9 Handlers and their training .

I hope he hasn't been banned . I would like to hear his reply to all this and let the chips fall where they may after that . I think this guy and all the dogs he's working with could benefit from being on this board if he gave it half a chance .

 Quote: michael hubert

sorry howard, and anyone else, again. the majority of K9 handlers i have encounter on the job or else where, well its an image, not a passion,
IMO, you have a dog, hes your friend your partner your companion, your buddy your backupand and you his, you care for it ,you love it ,hell, even let them sleep with you on occasion. yes its a job and they need to be focused and on tract, but most dont treat them like that or have the passion for what it really means to be a K9 officer,
and howard weve all seen how law enforcement can go to someones head. politics play a mean role up north, you have connections you get a hooked up, thats what they call it, a hook up, somthing easy, kick back and relax, iv seen it, witnessed it, makes me pissed. im not saying all dept. but all arent what the public thinks.

Michael, You seem to be deliberately making as many offensive statements as possible. ARe you a troll or what?
I am so sorry that this person insulted all our LE on this board, he seems to be complete Twerp material.
===>Not only insulting, but stupid, if he thinks a K9 handler allows his K9 partner to sleep in the same bed.
I just have no words for your idiocy, Michael. How you can issue an awful, insulting, offensive blanket statment like you just did, well, you don't deserve to have people be polite to you anymore.

Cameron....Thank You. I think Cpl. Mike Deese and myself would have gotten along famously had we the pleasure to meet. A man's man!

Howard

 Quote: Howard Knauf

Cameron....Thank You. I think Cpl. Mike Deese and myself would have gotten along famously had we the pleasure to meet. A man's man!

Howard

He would have had as much respect for you as I do, that is for sure. Thank YOU, Howard

 Quote: Janice Jarman

 Quote: michael hubert

IMO, you have a dog, hes your friend your partner your companion, your buddy your backupand and you his, you care for it ,you love it ,hell, even let them sleep with you on occasion.

===>Not only insulting, but stupid, if he thinks a K9 handler allows his K9 partner to sleep in the same bed.

I think that he was saying that was how it *should* be.

Not that it matters, either way, which one he meant.

Oh my God! Michael you are out of your mind! Please do not insult the people that protect you and your community and every other community in this country.
You should shut up and read what these people have to say, because they know A LOT more than you ever will and can give you great advice.
You sound like a bitter wanna be. And please, if you are allowed to post again check your spelling. There is a difference between "their" and "there".

Wow! I've spent the last couple of days packing, and it seems I've missed a boatload of 'crazy'! How can anyone second guess ( and dis!) Military and Police K9 handlers? It blows my mind! Good for all who gave em hell.

Not a lot goes on here crime-wise in VT, but our Police K9 units and SAR folks are top shelf and have all of my respect. One local police chief has temperament tested our dogs (once at potential personal risk!) and has let us audit his classes for years with our young guys, and has never charged us a dime for his time and trouble. He does it because he likes our dogs (and all dogs) and cares so much about what he's doing. He's a great guy that I have a lot of respect for. All dog handlers should be so dedicated!