The Bookworm Beat 1/15/16 — the “canine edition” and open thread

Before I start, if you owe quarterly taxes, have you paid them yet?  Good.  Now you can enjoy some pictures of troops and their dogs — some funny, some heartwarming, some sad.  I’ve written before that our culture’s love of dogs is an important advantage we have over Islam.  It’s not just that dogs help us, whether by tracking, guarding, or hunting; it’s also that our ability to form a loving relationship across species lines makes us a more compassionate group of people than those who look at an animal that has been a companion to humans for 30,000 years or so, and only sees something disgusting.

Troops and dogs 1

Troops and dogs 2

Troops and dogs 3

Troops and dogs 4

Troops and dogs 5

Troops and dogs 6

Troops and dogs 7

Troops and dogs 8

Troops and dogs 9

While the dog survived, sadly the dog's handler did not.
While the dog survived, sadly the dog’s handler did not.
Dog receiving a medal for service
Dog receiving a medal for service

Troops and dogs 12

Troops and dogs 13

Troops and dogs 14

Troops and dogs 15

Israeli troops love their dogs too.
Israeli troops love their dogs too.

Troops and dogs 17

Troops and dogs 18

Troops and dogs 19

Troops and dogs 20

When your comrade has bare feet, he sometimes needs help over prickly ground.
When your comrade has bare feet, he sometimes needs help over prickly ground.
After Marine Cpl Dustin Lee died, his family adopted Lex
After Marine Cpl Dustin Lee died, his family adopted Lex
Gunnery Sgt. Leroy Jethro Gibb: "That's not a dog; that's a Marine!"
Gunnery Sgt. Leroy Jethro Gibb: “That’s not a dog; that’s a Marine!”

Troops and dogs 24

Troops and dogs 25