Will You Spare A Thought For 'diesel' And Her Handlers?

[Colmc54]

https://www.facebook.com/Je-suis-Diesel-1012371842135825/

[Islay]

Yes I did do a RIP on my facebook for her and called her a soldier and a hero.

Will this get be berated here?

Almost certainly!!!

[Mamyalynne]

We've had a couple of threads on Diesel, part of a great team - job well done.


RIP

[jourdain2]

Yes, already thinking of her and them.

[Colmc54]

If the journalists and reporters weren't so anthropocentric by default they might do more, in the aftermath of her loss, to increase public appreciation of the huge contribution these brave and intelligent animals make to our safety and security every day in peace and war.

As a vet I have treated these dogs from time to time over the years and have always been impressed by them and the incredibly close bond that forms between them and their handlers. One of my regulars was a border collie who went with her handler all over the world to help rescue people from earthquakes.

To me 'Diesel's' sacrifice should be acknowledged at the highest level and our community of Answer Bank regulars should express our condolences to her handlers.

[Colmc54]

You don't know them.

Of course they feel fear just like we do and are intelligent enough to understand danger. It is only the unique bond that they build with their team/pack/handler, akin to our sense of duty to the flag, that enables them to act with what is every bit as real as human bravery. They're just as heroic as human heroes.

[Mamyalynne]

Colm , I can sense your passion and that's right and proper but we have expressed our feelings.

I am sure Diesel will get a posthumous award from the French to add to the ones earned during service already..

But maybe after they've buried their dead.

[Islay]

The PDSA have already been contacted by several charities over here about giving Diesel one of their top awards.

[Retrochic]

like I said on another thread - very sad this dog died but it can't be described as a 'hero'. This animal was following an instruction - 'attack' It attacked and got blown up -it did not weigh up the pro's and cons. think of its family at home, and then decide to do something that may kill it -that is a HERO and the word should not be bandied about - For Funks Sake apparently you are a hero now if you get on a plane and it crashes......

[Colmc54]

As I said before, you don't know them. We're all animals that have evolved here on Earth. You think I'm being anthropomorphic. Well I think you are putting us humans on too high a pedestal above all other animals if you think there is no bravery in the rest of the animal kingdom.

[Peter Pedant]

so the tenor of the thread is that you cant be a reluctant or mistaken hero but that you have to accept mission ipossible with both hands

[ Police dogs have been known to run in the opposite durection - obviously their tenure as police dogs was .... short ]

and dive buddy - Yvonne Fletcher unexpectedly back in the news was not a heroine but more of a victim according to your analysis
and ditto for the PC who was run over recently in Liverpool - all he did in your analysis was stand in the wrong place

[ I was one of a handful of people who rang up the foreign office on the day in real time and said " you can go into the Libyan embassy under the doctrine of hot pursuit but you have to do it now". A subject which is still fudged even now- see wiki - I am afraid ]

[Peter Pedant]

DB I am surprised you recognise it as a correct statement of current law. The Foreign Office didnt but do now and the police didnt either
( sovereignty of embassies as foreign countries took precedence - which it doesnt )

altho I said: is this call being recorded ? I cant remember if I said: I hope you still have a job on Monday ....

and so you know DB ... he did. Mrs T demanded his head and was told that junior duty clerks at the FO had security of tenure ( couldnt be fired ) . Last heard of opening letters in Ulan Bator.... and now of course miscreant FO clerks who get their law importantly wrong - can be fired .... Progress indeed

[viv41]

I agree with every word you say Colm and yes, she is a heroine in my eyes. Her handler will miss her like one of his own, as we all miss our beloved pets when their time comes. I will DEFINITELY spare a thought (and more) foe her x

[andy-hughes]

Colmc54 - //You don't know them.

Of course they feel fear just like we do and are intelligent enough to understand danger. It is only the unique bond that they build with their team/pack/handler, akin to our sense of duty to the flag, that enables them to act with what is every bit as real as human bravery. They're just as heroic as human heroes. //

I think your statement underlines a definite sense of anthropomorphism.

I understand why you feel the way you do, but I doubt that your assimilation would bear scientific analysis.

That said, I very much will spare a thought for Diesel's handlers, who must feel her loss keenly, as do all who interact closely with animals in this way.

[ladybirder]

Colmc Je suis Diesel.
I agree with you. They understand a lot more than we give them credit for. It is lovely to hear a vet say such words. I wish you practised in my area.