Tag: loyal hearts

I meant to post this yesterday in honor of Memorial Day.  It is from the book Loyal Hearts: Histories of American Civil War Canines by Michael Zucchero.  My parents sent me a signed copy of this charming book, filled with anecdotes of Civil War dogs and photos of the soldiers who loved them, after attending a speech by the author.  I wanted to read it before Memorial Day and post a review in honor of our soldiers.  I didn't get that done either.

Feeling guilty about deadline's missed, I'm falling back on the cliche of a picture and a thousand words.  And I've  selected this image to honor those who have served out country.   I think this beefy artillery officer photographed with his little white dog exemplifies the individuality of every soldier.  And the tiny "girly" dog amplifies the warrior's humanity and in a strange way, the insanity of war.   How can a man who cares for this tiny, loving creature kill his fellow man?  How can we continue to ask this of a portion of our society? 
And continue to look away when they come back broken? 

Thank you to all the soldiers who heroically serve in our wars.  I hope you can come home soon and see your "loyal hearts."

Read a reviewof Loyal Hearts here.  It is filled with amazing canine Civil War photos that the author has collected through the years, many never published before.  Each one a story of dog love in a time of war.