GULF WAR DOG STORIES

Sniffles: Dog Of Duty

By Erika Lobo, FAL.NET

Sniffles, a badly treated Golden Retriever mix was turned in to the SPCA.
Yolanda Wise, a pro-dog trainer in Sacramento, came to the shelter with her life partner Judy, looking for a 12th dog she could train as a family pet.
She hoped for a regal dog, like their pedigree German Shepherd, Tantor.
But they went home with Sniffles, a playful little rascal who charmed Judy when he sat up and begged to be taken home.
At first Sniffles caused all kinds of trouble for the couple, hiding their cigarettes, chewing their sports-bras and attacking the TV every time Darryl Hannah came on. But Yolanda's firm and patient training methods paid off, and Sniffles became a welcome addition to their home.

...there where even bumper stickers on tanks...

Soon after, Yolanda and Judy went to live in Kuwait and opened a training school. When Yolanda got a call for a dog that could appear in US Government training videos, she was sure that Tantor would be perfect. But once again, Sniffles stole the show and the hearts of the Department of Defense.
Using the stage name of “Soldier”, he was shown, putting on gas masks, receiving vaccines, etc. After each explanation of some military health or safety tip, his costar General Welfare would ask, "Get it, Soldier?" This catch phrase soon captured the imagination of our gulf war boys, much like Jim Carrey’s "Allrightythen!" with US civilians. Sniffles was on Armed Forces TV and Radio daily. He appeared in Stars and Stripes, Preventative Maintenance magazine, there where even bumper stickers on tanks.

...pampered like a hero...

As the Persian gulf war heated up, Yolanda and Judy decided to return to the US. The Department of Defense insisted Sniffles remain a few months to fulfill the remainder of his military contract. When he finally left the gulf, there was a huge farewell party on board a aircraft carrier, attended by US top brass and three ministers of the Kuwaiti government.
Sniffles, an unwanted and discarded dog at the SPCA, was pampered like a national hero!

After Sniffles returned stateside his health began to
deteriorate. He developed flu-like symptoms. Strange spots appeared on his legs,which soon spread to other body parts. Then his eyes swelled shut and his lips bloated till the skin split. When his skin cleared up, his joints ached.

During the next three years, Sniffles became unsteady on his feet, increasingly tired and often disoriented, losing his way from the water dish to his favorite tree.

...Yolanda and Judy had to stop breeding...

The syndrome appeared to be contagious. Yolanda and Judy had to stop breeding Sniffles when their bitches experienced immediate abdominal cramping and intense burning sensations, as though their genitals were being torched. Sniffles' genitals burned as well, causing open sores and blisters that bled. Some Puppies were born with extra toes and tails, undeveloped lungs, and missing body parts.

...It sent a shockwave to the president...

Eventually Sniffles and all 11 of Yolanda and Judy’s other dogs had to be put down. When high ranking officers in the Department Of Defense heard of Sniffles’(AKA “Soldier’s”) passing it sent a shock wave all the way up to The President. The United States Government accepted full responsibility for the horrible syndrome’s effect on a pooch that unquestionably served his country. Military transports rolled up to Yolanda and Judy’s home and unloaded 13.5 million dollars in gold bars on their driveway. Actor Darryl Gamon, General Welfare himself, presented the couple with a certificate insuring lifetime health care for them and all dogs in their care.