A retired Marine Corps captain and veterinarian, Putney writes a moving and heartrending account of his days as commander of the 3rd Marine War Dog Platoon, in which some 72 dogs and their handlers were his responsibility. The dogs and handlers trained in scouting, mine detection, and other patrol duties and went into combat together. Here we read about Peppy, Big Boy, and Lady and a host of other courageous dogs who lived and died during some of the worst fighting of the war. Putney takes the reader through basic training and the battles of Guadalcanal and the retaking of the island of Guam in 1944. He continues the story of how those dogs that survived the war were retrained and returned to civilian life. For veterans and dog owners, the stories of heroism and death may be dreadful, but they are a reminder of the sacrifices needed to obtain victory in World War II. A unique animal and war story, this memoir is a tribute to all who cherish the loyalty and bonds that dogs give their owners. Recommended for all public libraries. David Alperstein, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Retired veterinarian Putney is also a decorated World War II veteran whose primary service was helping organize the Marine War Dog Corps, which trained nearly a thousand dogs, mostly Doberman pinschers, as scouts, messengers, and alarm givers. Many of the dogs saw combat, especially on Guam, where then captain Putney won a Purple Heart and Silver Star fighting the Japanese, with and without dogs. More than 500 canine survivors were successfully demilitarized and returned to civilian life, and more than half of those became companions of the marines they had accompanied in battle--results that Putney counts as one of his finest achievements. An exceptionally clear writer, Putney is compassionate for his fellow marines of both species, except when some of them proved more dangerous to the dog platoons than the Japanese were. A valuable addition to the historiography of military animals, World War II, and the marines. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas author of The Hidden Life of Dogs I can scarcely remember ever being so taken with a book as I was with Always Faithful, not only because of the very stirring accounts of these superior dogs, but because of Captain Putney himself. The civilian population has never been particularly appreciative of war dogs, preferring to exterminate them rather than pay to bring them home. They were, after all, just dogs. It is highly fitting that Captain Putney should remember them here, and remind us of their service. -- Review
A heart-rending story of courage and loyalty that should be celebrated. -- LEON URIS, author of BATTLE CRY and EXODUS
A powerful tribute to the bond between the marines of WWII and their dogs. -- DOG AND KENNEL
A unique animal and war story. -- LIBRARY JOURNAL
I can scarcely remember ever being so taken with a book as I was with Always Faithful. -- ELIZABETH MARSHALL THOMAS, author of THE HIDDEN LIFE OF DOGS
The mother of all the heroic dog stories youve ever heard." -- LEATHERNECK
About the Author
William W. Putney, D.V.M., U.S.M.C. (Ret.), received a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his actions with the war dogs in the invasion of Guam. During his long subsequent veterinary career, he served as the president of California's Veterinary Medical Associ-ation and, for twelve years, as the Los Angeles commissioner of the Department of Animal Regulation. He lives in Woodland Hills, California.
