War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Fehringer guides MWD (Military Working Dog) Suk, across the obedience course at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on August 15, 2012.

Photo by Airman First Class Xavier Lockley

Marine Sergeant Charlie Hardesty works with MWD Turbo during a training session at YPG.

Combat Tracker dog Lex—who loves attention—enjoys some free time with his handler, Marine Lance Corporal John Peeler.

Photo by Rebecca Frankel

While on foot patrol a group of Marines found Layla when she was a puppy, but because of the IED risk, taking her on patrols was too dangerous and they decided to trade her for some cigars to the Marines of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. Here she is with her marines from the 1/8 at Shir Ghazay Patrol Base in Landay Nawah County, Afghanistan.

Photo by Rita Leistner/Basetrack

Layla relaxes in the arms of one of the Marines who took her in during their deployment to Afghanistan.

Photo by Rita Leistner/Basetrack

The amazing bond between soldier and dog is the topic of a powerful new book by Rebecca Frankel.