A new relationship with animals, nature and each other.

When Animals Are Drafted

Animals in War

When Animals Are Drafted
For 5,000 years they’ve been fighting our wars with us

War Horses – the Engines of Battle
A brief timeline of “the supreme animals of war”

For Kittens of War, Marines are Heroes
Rescued from the firing, now living happily ever after

All Creatures Great and Small
Elephants and pigeons on the battlefield

When Soldiers Deploy
What happens to their pets?

The 80th Commando
The dog who went after Osama bin Laden

Animal Soldiers Go Hi-Tech
Dolphins and bats as conscripts in war

Battle Buddy Now Therapy Donkey
Smoke settles in at his new home in Nebraska

Warrior Dog Gets Stem Cell Therapy
Basco’s hip healed from arthritis

Animals, Conspiracies and ‘The Avengers’
Testing out our weapons of war

Should We Be Testing Weapons of War on Animals?
Behind the scenes at secret laboratories

Stray Dogs of War Take a Bow
A special appearance at a prestigious dog show

The Most Decorated Dog
Sgt. Stubby – a World War I hero

The Lion of Afghanistan
How the King of Beasts became a sacrificial victim in a world gone astray

For 5,000 years they’ve been fighting our wars with us

“Theirs not to reason why; theirs but to do or die.” ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

When Navy SEALS choppered into Osama bin Laden’s backyard and took out the notorious terrorist, a German shepherd, kitted out with an infrared camera on his head and weapon-style titanium teeth in his mouth, went with them. The dog, unnamed for security reasons, was honored at private ceremonies on his return.

For 5,000 years, starting with simple chariots drawn by oxen in Mesopotamia, animals of all kinds have been conscripted into our wars. From charging elephants to bomb-sniffing bees, we’ve used them in every imaginable way.

In return, we honor them as heroes and award them with medals. But they never go as volunteers; always as conscripts.

Theirs is not to reason why; rather just to do or die. They know nothing of our politics, disagreements or international disputes. They have no idea why they’re doing it, but they serve, mostly but not always willingly, often dying in the process.

On this Memorial Day week, we take a look at the animals of war: fighting by our side, left homeless when their families are deployed overseas, rescued by brave and kindhearted soldiers, working as therapy animals, and recovering from PTSD. In so many ways, they have always been part of our wars with each other.

On this coming Memorial Day, let’s remember them, too.

Next: War Horses – the Engines of Battle