Oklahoma Pet Tales: Family provides home for retired military working dog

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Published: October 1, 2009
Modified: September 30, 2009 at 7:34 pm

I don’t have an unusual pet, since it’s pretty normal to own a dog, but his circumstance is sort of unusual and, of course, he’s cute (chuckle!).

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In November 2008, my wife, Becky, and I adopted a retiring Army military working dog from Fort Sill. The military has a program where these types of dogs can be adopted, depending on a long list of requirements, suitability, etc. If they’re not adopted, then, sadly, they meet their demise.

Anyway, this story is about Rocky, B116, who retired as a first sergeant last year. He’s an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois who served for about nine years until his health and blind eye ended his career. A dear friend and sponsor of a national movement to get all retired military working dogs adopted alerted us that Rocky was available and in our own "backyard” (we live in Edmond, but Lawton is almost "backyard”).

We contacted the 41st Military Police Detachment and started the adoption process. Of course, you can imagine that dealing with the military and federal government, there are tons of paperwork. But actually it wasn’t too bad. The military police and Fort Sill veterinary clinic were awesome and wanted to ensure Rocky would be well taken care of and that he was as healthy as possible when he was delivered to us. They even performed surgery to remove a small growth on his shoulder before we got him. They ensured we had a good supply of medicine for his eye, his hips and excellent instructions for his care and feeding.

Being retired from Air Force security police service helped me in this regard, since I had some experience with military working dogs. Even though they’re "retired,” they don’t know that, so there are many things that one has to understand and be aware of when helping a military working dog become adjusted to the civilian world. Rocky had recently completed his third tour in Iraq, so this was going to be a challenge. Rocky also is diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, due to his being not only an attack/sentry dog but also a bomb dog. Whenever there’s a thunderstorm, he has issues and paces and pants until it’s over.

To make a long story short, Rocky is adjusting well with our family, friends and his older rat terrier sister, Sophia. He still has his military bearing, but that’s fading the more he enjoys the soft civilian retired life. He’s saved many lives and has served our country well, and it’s our privilege to be able to offer him a nice comfortable home for his remaining years on Earth.

Jeff Spencer, Edmond