Weighing only 4 lb and standing just 7 inches tall, Yorkshire Terrier Smoky was found in a foxhole in the jungles of New Guinea in February 1944 by a US soldier who brought her back to camp and sold her to Corporal William A. Wynne for $ 6.44. For the next 2 years, Smoky lived a soldiers life but did not receive dog food nor medical care because she was not an official military dog. She shared Wynnes meals and slept beside him in his tent. The little dog flew 12 air-sea rescue and photo reconnaissance missions, secured in the soldiers backpack, survived 150 air raids and saved Wynne by warning him of incoming shells. Like many Yorkies, Smoky also loved to learn tricks and perform. She did so with the Special Services - entertaining soldiers in hospitals. After the war, Smoky was flown back to the US hidden in a oxygen mask carrying case and is considered the first therapy dog. For 10 years, she made television and public appearances in veterans hospitals until her death in 1957.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 07:04:49 +0000
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