MIA dog found in Afghanistan after 14 months

AP – In this photo taken Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, Australian explosive detection dog Sabi is photographed …

SYDNEY - A bomb-sniffing dog that disappeared during a fierce battle in Afghanistan between Australian troops and militant fighters has been found and returned to its unit after more than a year. And Sabi the black labrador is getting a celebrity welcome home. Sabi was with a joint Australian-Afghan army patrol ambushed in restive Uruzgan province in September 2008, triggering a gunfight that wounded nine troops and earned one Australian soldier the country’s highest bravery medal. But there was no sign of Sabi after the battle, and months of searching failed to find any sign of the retriever - until now.

 

 

 

Defense officials said Thursday that a U.S. soldier recovered Sabi at an isolated patrol base elsewhere in Uruzgan. Further details about the base were not given. The dog was returned to the Australians’ base in the province just in time for a visit by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was photographed Wednesday along with the U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal petting Sabi.

“Sabi is back home in one piece and is a genuinely nice pooch as well,” Rudd told reporters.

Exactly where Sabi has been or what happened to her during the past 14 months will probably never be known, though that she was in good condition when she was found indicated somebody had been looking after her, military spokesman Brig. Brian Dawson told reporters in Canberra.

The dog was being tested for diseases before a decision was made on whether she can return to Australia.

More than 1,500 Australian troops are in Afghanistan and most of them are involved in training Afghan security forces. Among them are units that use dogs to sniff out roadside bombs and other explosive booby traps.

Animal Abuse And Neglect Prevention

There are many things we can do as a person, a neighbor, a citizen and a community to help in the fight against animal and pet abuse, but right now we do not have a solution as to quickly fixing this problem. This fight will be won slowly and by one person at a time, doing his or her part in the widespread problem of animal and pet abuse.

Many have their facts of taking care of a pet or animal down pat, while many more are just not sure. Many think they know what it takes, but then somewhere along the way of pet ownership came the dreaded words, “I didn’t realize”. I needn’t say more.

We know all to well of situations that have started out with the best of intentions and seemingly hearts were in the right place about owning a pet, but the reality is thousand of animals or previous pets found abandoned, neglected or alienated. Injuries left to heal on their own or medical needs not attended to promptly or not at all.

There are many ways an individual can take care of an animal and not have to physically take care of them. Let me break it down, as to what I mean. There are so many animal shelters and clinics, wildlife refuges and habitats that need donations or your help monetary wise to take care in the feeding and sheltering and hiring of employees to take care of the many animals that need help.

You can contribute in many ways and help animals that have been abandoned abused or neglected and are threatened with their actual existence and not have to make the decision to take on pet or animal ownership and all that is involved in this endeavor. You can even find shelters or wildlife sanctuaries that need volunteers or people willing to dedicate their time to taking care of or feeding or just playing and loving the animals that are being temporarily housed and homed until they find a more permanent home and loving and caring owners.

When you take on the ownership of a pet or animal, people don’t realize they are putting that animal in a situation that may end up resulting in instability and risks as to the animals welfare. This happens when people have not been educated and made aware of the possibility that their choice of pet or animal may not work out. The intentions were good, but now fluffy is biting, tearing up the furniture, or housebreaking is not going as planned. Next, fluffy is left to their own demise. People are not realizing that animals who have been domesticated and suddenly put out somewhere or is abandoned cannot take care of themselves as their untamed or foraging ancestors once did.

Making a donation or volunteering will be very effective in helping many pets or animals welfare. Animal homing clicks and agencies are cropping up everywhere across the globe and are always in need of assistance and donations, so finding one in your area as well as out will not be a difficult thing to do.

Breeds Of Animals Affected By Abuse

Abuse first off, is something that can affect any animal or pet and has no preference as to what breed it picks to affect. Any breed is susceptible and can be a victim of abuse and or, neglect. Abuse is not limited to a physical action, but can be emotionally inflicted as well.

There are many people that have no care or concern of animals in any sense of the word. It does my heart a personal injustice when seeing how an animal has been neglected or abuse while in the care of another human being.

Now, in our discussion of breeds affected by abuse or animal cruelty or just plain neglect, there are breeds that seem to be more widely affected by abuse or neglect. Animals that have a dominant tendency are often the victims of abuse in just that they are often geared more to being high energy or high-maintenance. New pet owners need to take these tendencies into consideration prior to bringing a new pet into their lives.

Some animals are normally and genetically inclined to have bouts or displays of being protective, incessant barking, or just appearing to be to rambunctious when at play. Some owners mistake this for behavioral disfunction and tire of the animal. Their acts of discipline oo the animal resorts to physical contact, and not in a good way either!

When people decide to take on ownership of an animal, they do not realize that this means all of the animals food, shelter, medical needs, and love need to be a permanent decision, not just temporarily or until the animal doesn’t respond as they would have liked them to. Owning a pet or animal is much more than that, and if people would take into consideration all of the things involved, and make an educated and smart decision in their owning of a pet, abuse could be well on it’s way to being stamped out.

Also, abuse and neglect occurs when an owner has chosen a certain breed or animal for a specific reason such as, using the pet for just breeding purposes, or using them to fight one another for their profit and gain. This is a whole other gray area in the plight of many to stand up and fight for animals that can’t speak for themselves, let alone defend themselves from the owners and the situations the owners bring them into.

The love of an animal, and of course food and shelter are not all that will sustain an animal. So much more foes into their care and needs. If you are not sure of just what it takes to care for a specific animal or animal breed, and you are seriously contemplating getting one that you are not sure how to take care of. Your local animal shelter or many animal refuge caretakers can educate you in this area, and are all to happy to assist. Play it smart, when making a decision as to what breed or animal you will want for a pet.

Pet Abuse And Neglect Defined

There are many definitions of pet abuse or neglect and you will find that many people and their interpretation of abuse of animals can be varied and different when compared to others and their view of this subject. Knowing what is considered to be abuse validation of an animal or pet can be more difficult than you think.

Of course there are the definite signs of abuse of an animal that anyone can pick up on, but what about all the animals in an abuse situation that people won’t or don’t ever detect. Knowing what to look for besides the obvious is a discussion we all should be familiar with, but unfortunately aren’t.

Dogs and cats are the most widespread of all animals that are kept in homes as pets across the globe. There are many breeds of both of these animals that have been domesticated and made into pets for our companionship. But, many people get a pet with the best of intentions in mind and find they are very challenged by the animals needs and find that it is a full time investment into a pets care and welfare. The cost of upkeep of a specific animal or breed of animal is what many think they can handle but, in reality is something that many find to be a different story.

There is more to it than just food, water, a home and love for the animal or pet. If you have or have had a pet, many know all to well that trips to the veterinarian or medical needs of an ailing animal or beloved pet is something they hadn’t really anticipated and can become costly. It is something they had not contemplated when they first arrived home with he precious new puppy or warm furry friend. And of course, abuse doesn’t just hinder these two animals mentioned. Abuse is not picky and is something that knows no boundaries or has a preference as to what breed it will affect.

The obvious signs of abuse are malnourishment, injury that has been left to it’s on demise or has not been looked after or seen to. Signs of abuse can not always be detected by the naked eye though. There are many pets or animals that appear to be fine, but are suffering incomprehensible abuse and neglect. Also remember, that anyone who abandons an animal or pet is also inflicting abuse upon that animal.

Our pets look to us for food, shelter and all the love we can give. But, they are entitled to so much more and common sense can play a huge part in their protection and ability to live long, happy prosperous lives. If you want to find out more about this topic of abuse and neglect of an animal and what you should look for if you suspect abuse, you can visit your local animal shelter or contact them for more information. Even volunteering at a shelter or animal refuge can teach you very much about different animals and breeds and you will be helping animals in the process. It is a win win situation for all.