Not only do dogs enrich the lives of their humans; they may also be trying to save our lives without us even realizing it! Dogs are detecting cancer; some are trained to do so, and others instinctually know something is not quite right.
Gill Lacey, who was featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes in 2005, was saved by her Dalmatian, Trudi. Trudi began sniffing a tiny mole on Gill’s leg. That mole was a malignant melanoma, which could have easily spread and put an early end to Gill’s life, had it not been detected so early.
Just because your dog is intently sniffing you does not mean you should run with alarm to your doctor. A dog’s nose is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than that of a human. A dog also has a larger portion of brain and nervous system devoted to the olfactory sense. Thus, a dog’s interpretation of his surroundings is greatly affected by the information obtained from his nose.
Sniffing you is telling your dog where you’ve been, who you met, what you ate, how you’re feeling, etc.
However, if your dog seems consistently and considerably concerned about your body - beyond sniffing you to learn about your day – you may want to consider taking it seriously. He may be telling you something. Dogs can even smell cancer on your breath, particularly breast and lung cancer. One dog sat in her owner’s lap, began sniffing and became very agitated. The dog alerted her owner to breast cancer this way – TWICE!
So, what are dog’s detecting when they smell cancer? They smell a metabolic waste that is excreted by cancer cells, but not normal cells. It seems that some dogs naturally find this chemical to be a concern, or, at the least, interesting. Dogs can detect these chemical traces in the range of parts per trillion, making them able to smell cancer even during the early stages!
Dogs are currently being trained to detect cancer, similarly to how a dog is trained to detect drugs or bombs. A treat-based reward system is used, along with samples from healthy and cancer patients. The dog is rewarded when he sniffs the cancer sample. Eventually the dog learns to alert to the cancer sample by lying down or sitting when he comes upon it. Cancer-detecting dogs are often trained and capable in a matter of a couple weeks.
Studies around the world are proving that dogs can be extremely accurate in smelling and identifying cancer. This could be a huge benefit in the early detection of cancer, possibly saving countless lives. Researchers hope to incorporate dogs and their talented noses (literally the best odor detectors known to man) into physical exams in doctor’s offices, alerting doctors to possible cancer concerns.
Think of all the things our best friend does for us – provide therapy, guide the blind, protect and serve those in law enforcement and the military, search for our missing loved ones, alert us to bombs, guard our homes, detect our cancer… provide undontional love. Such an incredible creature.
One of the most valuable tools fire officials have when it comes to investigating fires is dogs.
State Farm has gotten together with law enforcement teams to train dogs to smell out different accelerants used to start fires.
Training for a few arson canines took place Wednesday at Walker Hall on the Illinois State University campus.
The dogs are going through a three-day class that will re-certify them as accelerant detection K-9’s.
All the arson dogs are labrador retrievers because they have an excellent ability to decipher between different scents at a fire scene.
“They’re sniffing out flammable or ignitable liquids like gasoline or kerosene, camping fuel, typically used by arsonists to burn property,” says arson investigator Tommy Bychowski.
State Farm started the program in 1993 and now there are over 250 arson dogs.
They say the program ultimately saves investigators time and taxpayers money.
While we waited for the chopper to land, I made use of the time by starting a letter to Mom, thanking her for the latest care package.”Wolf is really enjoying the dog biscuits and butterscotch pudding,” I scribbled with the nub of a pencil. “But don’t spend all the kitchen money on us. We’re doing fine.” I knew money was tight at home. I’d left behind five brothers and sisters. But Mom kept sending those boxes, regular as clockwork. “Love to all–Chuck,” I flourished on the bottom line, then set down the paper to rummage through my pack for an envelope.
“C’mon, now, stop goofing around.” Wolf was pacing back and forth in front of my face, pausing with each turn to jam his hot, wet nose into my ear and blow out loudly.
“Uh-oh, you’ve really done it this time.” Now there was a paw print on the letter. “You big goof,” I said, tussling one of those bat-like ears of his. Wolf was grinning too, and wagging his tail so widely it wacked his sides. He seemed very proud of what he’d done.
So into the mail the letter went, muddy signature and all.
- Charlie Cargo
WOLF AND CHARLIE CARGO met in Vietnam in 1970. A highly trained scout dog capable of locating enemy tripwires, traps and troops at up to a thousand yards, Wolf already had a long track record in the war by the time Charlie arrived at the 48th Scout Dog Platoon stationed in Chu Lai. Charlie was just another baby-faced draftee– a “f—ing new guy,” according to field vernacular. But under Wolf’s patient tutelage, he quickly became a top-notch dog handler, savvy to the grim realities of the bush.
We were nearing the summit of the barren slope when Wolf suddenly stopped and sat down.
“Come on, Wolfer, let’s go,” I said hoarsely between gulps of air. But he refused to move. He just sat there, his big pink tongue hanging out of one side of his mouth.
Now the slack man was breathing on the back of my neck. “Damn, Cargo, let’s go.” The grunts behind us were really starting to bunch up and we were still in the open.
“Then tell them to spread out and take what cover they can find.”I said, waving irritably behind my back with one hand for him to give me some space. I wasn’t about to take my eyes off of Wolf. “He’s alerting to something.”
I motioned for Wolf to return to me, then sent him out to do a second search. Personally, I didn’t really believe there was anything to worry about. Just a few dry clumps of weeds up here, pitiful cover for anybody or anything.
Now Wolf was back at the same spot on the hillside, sitting in the dirt just like before. In a low crouch, I moved up to his position and gave him a pat. “Whassup, boy?”
His head rolled lazily about on his shoulders as he cast me a casual glance. I splashed a little canteen water in a tin cup and held it under his chin. “You just thirsty, Wolfer?” He ignored it. “Well, you aren’t sniffing the air or listening to anything. Stop worrying and let’s go. Everything’s O.K.”
Meanwhile, the slack man was telling the troops to quit their whining and bitching. “Shut up,” he hissed through closed teeth. “The dog’s onto something.”
As the man spoke, I was in mid-stride and about to step around Wolf. Suddenly the dog wrenched his body sideways, blocking me. “Hey, it’s OK, I’m only looking,” I whispered. And that was when he bit me.
Those jaws of his were like a vice–a vice fitted with tiger teeth, which were now penetrating my right hand. It was such a shock it took a few seconds for the pain to sink in, and when it did, it was blinding. I was too surprised to scream. Flailing like a fish, I frantically tried to wrench my hand out of his mouth. Blood was starting to trickle down my wrist. . .time seemed to be standing still.
Finally, mercifully-blessedly–he let go.
Now I knew something was wrong. “Well for crying out loud, what is it?” I blurted, trying to push down the urge to vomit as waves of agony began rolling up my arm. And then I saw it.
A tripwire the thickness of a hair. Two feet in front of me. My knees began to shake as the realization of just how close I’d come to dying began to sink in–and how I would have taken Wolf with me.
-Charlie Cargo
OVER THE NEXT ELEVEN MONTHS, Charlie and Wolf safely led hundreds of troops through the jungles of Vietnam. They were a team both on and off-duty. “More than master and servant, more than brothers, we were of one heart and soul,” he says today. When Charlie realized he was about to be separated from Wolf because he’d been promoted to Sergeant, he deliberately mouthed off to a superior so he would be busted back down to Sp/4, the equivalent of a Corporal.
As his tour of duty drew to a close, Charlie’s family telephoned dozens of military higher-ups, pleading for Wolf to be discharged so he too could come home. Their request was rejected. In a desperate bid for more time to navigate the bureaucracy, Charlie applied to extend his tour, but he was turned away.
The worst day of Charlie Cargo’s life came on December 7, 1971, when he was ordered to deliver his best friend to the dog detachment center near Saigon. He had to put a muzzle on Wolfer–”this dog, who had nothing but love in his heart for his brothers-in-arms. I will never forget the confusion on his face when I walked away forever.”
Wolf’s fate was a mystery for thirty years, but recently discovered documents indicate that he was one of the few “lucky” dogs to get Stateside as the war wound down. In March 1972, he returned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was neutered and put back to work, until 1979, when he succumbed to lymphoma.
Why couldn’t the military have telephoned Charlie to at least tell him Wolf made it back to the U.S.? If Wolf did indeed have a terminal illness, why couldn’t he have been released to spend his last days with Charlie???
Conceptual Design: The National War Dogs Monument represents all war dogs of all military services since WWI. It features three primary breeds used by the military, the German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Doberman pinscher. The solder is added because the war dog always had a handler.
Construction Material: Bronze
Inscription: Where the engraving “WAR DOGS” on the model appears the Monument will read “In Perpetual Honor of the Service and Sacrifice of all Military Working Dogs of all Armed Services of all Wars and Peacekeeping Missions Since World War I.”
Dog and Handler: The handler kneeling on top is Vietnam War era. He is kneeling because it is a realistic position during an alert by his dog, but more importantly, it emphasizes dog and man on equal levels of communication as a team. The German shepherd was the primary breed used extensively during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.
Labrador: The Labrador represents a Tracker of the Vietnam War era. The Labrador is crouching as he sniffs and tracks his way through jungle foliage.
Backpack: The lone backpack with helmet lying on the ground near the Doberman represents WWI.
Doberman: The Doberman represents a WWII Sentry. He is guarding the vault containing the list of names of his fallen comrades, which is surrounded by barbed wire fencing of the WWII and Vietnam War era. The list of fallen war dog heroes is retrievable so that more names can be added.
Reliefs: The three bronze reliefs symbolize the methods of deployment. Land (dog in Jeep), Sea (dog in boat) and Air (dog in helicopter).
Service Emblems: The three reliefs are encircled by the five emblems of the Armed Services (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard).
Benches: There will be four benches surrounding the monument for resting and reflection. Each bench will have a ring on each end to tie a dog.
Helmet: A Korean War era helmet sitting upside down next to a bench will serve as a drinking fountain for visiting dogs. The helmet will be inscribed on the inside with the phrase, “Not Forgotten.”
Engraved Stone Tiles: Tiles listing the types of jobs performed by the War Dogs will be spaced evenly in the walkway around the monument in front of the benches.
