Journal J

I read Animals at War by Isabel George and Rob Lloyd Jones. It was published by USBORNE YOUNG READING.

I chose the Chapter 3, which title is “A soldier’s best friend”. Here are three kinds of dogs that have served in wartime. First, “ambulance dogs” were sent to carry the injured food and medical supplies. Also they gave comfort to soldiers stranded alone in the battlefield. Over 3,000 ambulance dogs were used and they have saved around 10,000 soldiers’ lives. Next, “mine dogs” were taught how to ride in military vehicles, cope with the sound of gunfire, and even to wear gas masks. They saved thousands of lives but many of them died in the line of duty. After the war, some dogs were retrained to return to ordinary life as pets. Third, the British SAS (Special Air Service) began training “para-pups” to jump from planes with specially fitted parachutes. "Para-pups" could lead them into enemy territory, signaling whenever it detected danger. The famous “para-pup” was Bob, which made 20 parachute jumps.

The reason why I chose his book is mainly I love the animals, so I wanted to read the book which was about the animals, especially the dogs. Then I found this book, “Animals at War”, in the English Reading Garden. When I took this book, I found that there were a big toy poodle, a pigeon and a man holding the pigeon on his hands in cover of this book.

What I liked a part of this book is that some dogs that have survived in wartime had chances they could return to ordinary life as pets. I think speaking of the dogs, most of them tend to be the pets and they give comfort to people. Also, they have mysterious abilities. For example, today, the dogs are trained to be the therapy dogs. Then the trainers bring them to not only the hospitals but also the old-age homes. Then the patients meet and touch them even if the patients don’t move a part of their bodies. They feel comfortable and happy without thinking about diseases or anything that they have inside. The dogs make people happy. I think mostly the dogs should be the pets or one of someone’s family member or do something that help people who need. For example, there are the dogs that guide and help blind people, because they have keen intelligence.

What I didn’t like is about that he animals were used for human’s war. Why they had to be used for it? If the humans had not had the wars, any lives would have saved. The dogs also have their own families. They might be a father or a mother or a brother or a sister. What’s more, they also have feelings like us, human, I think.

I think most people don’t enjoy reading this book because this is the story about the wars. Even if people can enjoy reading this book, they will know and learn something more about the wars that not the only horses but also the dogs were used in wartime, also the other animals too. In addition, they will know that not only human’s lives but also so many the animals’ lives were lost in any wars.