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Fama, the Retired Military Bomb Dog!

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#21 ·
Love following this thread!

Keep the updates coming, I've been following your updates off and on with Fama. Just a great story with a happy ending. My thanks to both of your for your service. Does Fama get a Purple Heart for her tail? You both made it home and are writing a new chapter. In fact, maybe you should consider writing this down and telling her story. I would buy the book!
 
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#22 ·
You can read the first half of the book on the internet. Google Fama bomb dog and you will find it ;)

The second half is still in the works.

David Winners
 
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#23 ·
Have any of Famas other handlers expressed interest in seeing her again? Were any of them contacted about adopting her after she was retired? I know you were not contacted. So just curious as to how that works. I would think previous handlers would be the first contacted.

I did not know she had so many handlers, so it's just curiosity on my part. She is definitely where she is supposed to be. I wish you all the best with her. She has truly earned a freshly made bed each night and home full of love and treats.

Can't wait to hear more stories!


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#24 ·
Wow, your story just gets better and better. I am so grateful there are people like you and dogs like her watching over our young people in danger. To say thank you just seems so lame! I'm so glad she's adapted once again and that she has you and your family to give her such a happy life. And thank you for sharing!
 
#25 ·
gsdsar said:
Have any of Famas other handlers expressed interest in seeing her again? Were any of them contacted about adopting her after she was retired? I know you were not contacted. So just curious as to how that works. I would think previous handlers would be the first contacted.

I did not know she had so many handlers, so it's just curiosity on my part. She is definitely where she is supposed to be. I wish you all the best with her. She has truly earned a freshly made bed each night and home full of love and treats.

Can't wait to hear more stories!


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None of her other handlers ever worked out. She either punked them out by bullying them or wouldn't work for them. She deployed with a contractor to Iraq before I got her and was sent home for biting an interpreter. It's a long story, and he really had it coming, but none the less, I'm the only one that really clicked with her.

Fama's handler at Bragg was going to adopt her, as well as another handler there, until I got involved. Having deployed with her gave me priority of sorts.

I'm just glad that she's happy and healthy. She deserves to have her bed made every night, and the best that I can do for her every day. We just got back from a run to the auto parts store and the beer store. I take her everywhere I can get away with it lol. We worked 2 detection problems today and went for a 4 mile run before dinner.

She's loving life and that makes me happy :D

David Winners
 
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Discussion starter · #26 ·
I need a mod to fix the first link I posted, to the bomb dog story.

It got messed up somehow, maybe because of forbidden words in the link :D
 
#27 ·
Thank you both for your service and thanks so much for sharing so much of your life! So glad you both are just enjoying life together, that she came back to you! Some things are just meant to be!
 
#28 ·
Sunflowers said:
I need a mod to fix the first link I posted, to the bomb dog story.

It got messed up somehow, maybe because of forbidden words in the link :D
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Lol... I just tell people to Google Fama bomb dog. I got in trouble with the mods her when I first tried to post the story here :)

David Winners
 
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#29 ·
David Winners said:
I just got a PM asking me to explain part of my signature:....

So I guess what that quote really means is that there is more to my relationship with my dog than a bowl of food and a scratch behind the ear. We are in life together, and though I don't really know what all that entails, I know that it means I am never alone as long as I have my dog, no matter what.
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David,

Thanks to you (and whoever pm'd you) for the explanation. I have wondered for the longest, but was afraid I'd be too intrusive if I asked. The thought process behind your signature is so insightful. In smaller ways, with different dogs who have done some heroic things over the years, I have felt a glimmer of what you describe. But to live day-to-day, 24/7, in the environment and situations you describe--wow. Humbling.

Susan
 
#30 ·
Susan_GSD_mom said:
David,

Thanks to you (and whoever pm'd you) for the explanation. I have wondered for the longest, but was afraid I'd be too intrusive if I asked. The thought process behind your signature is so insightful. In smaller ways, with different dogs who have done some heroic things over the years, I have felt a glimmer of what you describe. But to live day-to-day, 24/7, in the environment and situations you describe--wow. Humbling.

Susan
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Humbling for me too. I learned a lot from Fama and the things we went through. Right now, she's teaching me about calming signals and reciprocal play behavior. When she gets too rough with Lu, she recognizes it and grabs a Kong to bite instead of making him mad. She plows right back into him but bites the Kong instead. Play continues, and everybody has fun.

She's just a cool dog lol

David Winners
 
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#31 ·
Every now and then we have a special relationship between us and an animal.

I call them 'soul pets'. Sounds like Fama is yours.

As always, thank you for sharing your pictures and stories David. They are uplifting.
 
#33 ·
I watched a show on military dogs and handlers called Glory Hounds, I sobbed the entire two hours and woke up with a headache. lol

I honestly have no idea how you guys get through the stress of doing tours in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, you have my utmost respect.

I'm so glad you were reunited with her and that she's adjusting to her retirement. Some animals just grab a hold of your heart and don't let go.
 
#34 ·
blackshep said:
I watched a show on military dogs and handlers called Glory Hounds, I sobbed the entire two hours and woke up with a headache. lol

I honestly have no idea how you guys get through the stress of doing tours in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, you have my utmost respect.

I'm so glad you were reunited with her and that she's adjusting to her retirement. Some animals just grab a hold of your heart and don't let go.
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We get through it because we have our brothers and sisters to our left and right. In my case, I had Fama. It's nothing heroic or above and beyond what anyone would do in the same situation, if they are able. You do what you are trained and you protect one another. You do your job, just like anyone does.

Aside from missing my family, I love being deployed. It's a great job being a soldier... especially as a handler.

David Winners
 
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#35 ·
Gwenhwyfair said:
Every now and then we have a special relationship between us and an animal.

I call them 'soul pets'. Sounds like Fama is yours.

As always, thank you for sharing your pictures and stories David. They are uplifting.
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I think so too. We share a brain lol. I think we are just a lot alike and we have a tendency to come to the same conclusion given the same situation. I don't really know though. How can you quantify a relationship? It's beyond my understanding. I just know it's fun, and we both seem to get a lot out of it.

David Winners
 
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#36 ·
Thanks again for the explanation. I, too, had wondered about the back story. Your video of Lu and Fama plays looks exactly like what happens in my house every single day. Except my Lu is an overweight lab named Jocassee and my Fama has a tail :) Best of luck in your continued daily adventures with your "soul dog" (I really like that btw.)
 
#37 ·
I decided to video some Nosework this evening. This is a vehicle search with 1 hide (1 birch q-tip) placed under the truck on the frame by the rear driver's side tire. It was really windy. She hits odor on the front of the truck but can't pinpoint it. She ends up going all the way to the rear of the truck and then underneath before figuring out where it is.

Thought you may like to see her working. She's a little groggy at first. She was napping after dinner when I leashed her up LOL.

Fama Nosework2 27 JUN 14 - YouTube

I can't figure out why the video won't imbed... oh well :D
 
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#38 ·
I'm just catching up on this thread, what a beautiful story. Love all the pics.

Nice work from Fama! From your blurb I was expecting her to be searching longer, but she found the source quick!
 
#39 ·
Castlemaid said:
I'm just catching up on this thread, what a beautiful story. Love all the pics.

Nice work from Fama! From your blurb I was expecting her to be searching longer, but she found the source quick!
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LOL... that's not quick :) It's pretty windy tonight and the odor is doing some fun stuff. It's interesting (to me at least) to watch her bracket (zone in) to source.

Here's another vid of a small open area, my front yard, and a couple different hides. Still single birch q-tips.

Fama Nosework 27 JUN 14 - YouTube
 
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#40 ·
Love watching them use their brain! The wind can really play tricks them. You could tell how the wind was causing the odor to pool at the base of the tree - how she kept checking there, and was trying to figure out where the odor was coming from.

Why do you stand behind her and throw the ball forward when you reward? I'm sure there is a specific reason you do it that way.
 
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