07/15/2025
You never know who you will meet during your day. I met a delightful man who had my attention when he walked in the room with his hat! No, this time it wasn’t a cowboy hat.
While sitting in the waiting room for a doctor appointment, a man walked in wearing a ball cap hat with K9 Corps logo on it, and stitched into the side it said “Dog Handler”. As you could imaging how pleased I was when he sat by me. I immediately introduced myself and commented on his hat. Little did I know how his story would impact me personally and professionally. Charles was a K-9 handler in Vietnam, he shared a story that truly defined how a working dog and handler share a bond like no other, and the humor of their relationship too.
They were on a foot patrol mission when Charles decided to walk over a large log, his dog stopped and Charles said he gave him a “hard stare” when he looked back at him knowing that was the dog signaling, Charles thought what do you know? He ignored his dog, stepped over the log anyways, and said he knew at that moment why his dog stopped walking, froze, and gave him that silent stare. Charles said, “I stepped over the log, my foot went down into a hole filled with very sharp and dirty Punji Sticks. Fortunately for Charles he only grazed one side of his leg and didn’t fall all the way in (he had his dog with a tightly pulled leash to help him with balance), as his dog never moved forward knowing there was something wrong.
With help from fellow Marines, Charles was
Lifted up and away from the snare trap, now leaning back against the log, his dog calmly walked around the log , and the now exposed snare trap, and sat next to him. Charles said, “I got the LOOK from my dog, as if he was saying to me dumb-ass I TOLD YOU!”
I laughed and cryed at the same time hearing this story. Thanked him for sharing and for his service! I then told Charles I completely understand the human-canine bond since having working service-therapy dogs of my own for 20+ years. I shared the Rest Area story of Doc-Barker saving me from a possible rattlesnake bite on our way to Phoenix, AZ for a Make-A-Wish® event. Also shared a couple more stories of our therapy work with USO and about Barker Dog Foundation. Charles asked, where’s your dog. Told him i left him at home, as im getting steroid injection and didnt want him to get ipset if I whimpered during procedure. Charles said I respect you for that, most people dont consider stress on their working dogs enough. I thanked him for saying that.
Turns out Charles has been writing a book for the past 15-years of his K-9 adventurers in Vietnam with his K-9 partner. Charles told me I should write a book too. Told him I can tell the stories, but I’m no writer. I gave him one of my business card in hopes we can connect again sometime. Just then he was called in for his appointment he said, “I’ll be in touch young lady”! I told him I’ll take your work on that, can’t wait! I purposely kept his dog’s name out of the story as respect for Charles since he has NO title yet for his book. I’m the lucky lady for meeting Charles today, a Real Gentleman!
Moral of the story- Be willing to talk to people you don’t know, you might learn something meaningful, and trust your dog!
