Dog Art Today

Memorial Day (belated)

Written by

Moira McLaughlin

in

Civil_war_dog_zucchero

An oversized artillery officer with small dog (from Michael Zucchero's collection)

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.

Comments

7 responses to “Memorial Day (belated)”

  1. Kit Avatar
    Kit

    Nice. Hope the author see this.

    Reply
  2. Moira McLaughlin Avatar
    Moira McLaughlin

    I looked for a website for him, but couldnt find one. I will send a note to his publisher. Thanks again for the book. The photos are amazing. xo, Moira

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth A Avatar
    Elizabeth A

    Wonderful post — I have such conflicted thoughts about soldiers and war — your post articulated them nicely.

    Reply
  4. 5 dog training myths Avatar
    5 dog training myths

    cool detailed photo.. anybody know the date of Civil War roughly

    Reply
  5. Evelyn Morris Hecht Avatar
    Evelyn Morris Hecht

    I love what you wrote re the tiny loving dog and how can men kill other men.

    Reply
  6. charger Avatar
    charger

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    Reply
  7. Loyaltyofdogs Avatar
    Loyaltyofdogs

    Dogs did a great deal to raise soldiers’ spirits during the Civil War–one of the bleakest times in our nation’s history. It is good to see them remembered! Although war has changed greatly in 150 years, the bond between soldiers and their dogs has not. Today, as then, dogs continue to support soldiers, saving their lives as Military Working Dogs have done in Iraq and Afghanistan, and helping to keep their morale high, as these same dogs, and even strays whom the soldiers adopt, also continue to do. Dogs are not only humankind’s best friends, they are especially wonderful friends to soldiers!

    Reply

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