Summary

Top Dogs

True Stories of Canines That Made History
Working dogs help people in an incredible number of ways. There are search and rescue dogs, police dogs, military and combat dogs, guard dogs, sheep-herding dogs, sled dogs, therapy dogs and service dogs which assist blind or deaf people…. and these are only some examples. You may not know that some of these working dogs have even become heroes – or “top dogs”! During World War I, a spunky terrier named “Rags” regularly took important messages from headquarters to the front lines. Who would suspect that the dog was carrying hidden messages written on pieces of paper tucked into his collar? Another dog, Stubby, could smell a deadly gas attack long before people could. Instead of running away, he would warn soldiers by racing through the trenches, loudly yipping and barking. Many people know the story of Balto and Togo, sled dogs whose teams brought life-saving serum to Nome, Alaska, in 1925 during a diphtheria epidemic. With a severe blizzard raging, there was no other way to deliver the medicine. Every year, these canine heroes are remembered during the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. On September 11, 2001, two World Trade Centre towers in New York City collapsed after a terrorist attack. Amazingly, despite all the dust, smoke and ash in the air, a German shepherd named “Trakr” was able to smell and find an injured person lying under the piles of concrete and steel 24 hours after the disaster. There are many more examples of hero dogs. This book also delves into some of the reasons why our canine friends can be so helpful. Did you know that they see movement and light much better than humans, and they have better night vision? Their sense of smell is amazing - and they hear four times better than us. Vividly illustrated,Top Dogs has earned a well-deserved nomination for the coveted 2018 Silver Birch Non-Fiction Award. ** Recommended for ages 8 to 12 years of age. ** Reviewed by Sally Hengeveld, librarian, Stratford Public Library.