Dog is Soldier's Best Friend?

April 15, 2001 Srebrenica, Bosnia

It looks like the U.S. peacekeeping forces may have some new volunteers.

Stray dogs in Bosnia seem to have adopted the American soldiers, escorting troops through the streets of Srebrenica, checking out the alleys and protecting the Boys from unseen dangers.

When the U.S. Army's transports enter the city, the local street-mutts rush out of their hiding-places to announce the arrival.  Then, with a fanfare of barks and yaps, the dogs trot alongside the armored vehicles as they approach the controversial border of Bosnia and Serbia.

"The other soldiers told us about these dogs when we were training, and I didn't believe them," says Staff Sergeant Joe Jimmerson of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade.  "And the first time we rolled into town, sure enough, they're here."

It is a well-known tradition for the dogs to station themselves at the feet of the American soldiers, remaining ever-alert and growling or snapping at any suspicious approaching strangers.

"They're our friends," says Pfc. Rena Exler of the Kentucky National Guard.

"They clear a path for the Americans when we come through town," she adds, as she shares some of her rations with a dog sitting by her side.

As legend has it, several years ago an American G.I. befriended a three-legged dog with a simple act of kindness—feeding her a few bites of processed ham.

"Tripod", the three-legged dog, not only remained grateful and faithful to the soldier to her dying day, but apparently she enlisted all of her offspring to carry on the tradition likewise.

And they say elephants never forget!

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