Do You Pass The Test?

There are a few criteria required in order to adopt a retired military dog. Although the standards are relatively high, it’s in everyone’s best interest. These are working dogs who need a home that can accommodate the special energy level and skills that have been hard-wired into their new pet’s previous daily activities. For instance, the recipient of one of these dogs must have an outdoor fence that is at least 6 feet tall, and may not have any children under the age of 5. Altogether, the process of adopting a retired military dog can take up to 2 years to ensure both the dog and the family are getting a proper fit. Civilian law enforcement are the first choice for these retiring dogs, which allows them to maintain their duties to a slightly lesser degree. Second in line after law enforcement are previous military handlers, followed finally by the general public. 

Training

Those lucky enough to adopt a retired military dog are getting themselves a very well behaved companion. These heroic pups have been through a minimum of 4-7 months of discipline drills and education just to pass their “basic training” before they even begin to be coached in their specific craft. There are a handful of positions that K-9 service dogs are trained for, each with a specific and intense training process to earn a position in the field. Below are a few disciplines that your newly acquired retired military dog might have mastered.

• Sentry Dogs
  • Sentry Dogs are trained to warn their handlers of potential danger in the area. They originally began this type of work during WWII, when over 9,000 dogs were trained in the art of surveillance, sticking close by their handlers and using their heightened senses to remain vigilant deep into the night.
• Scout/Patrol Dogs
  • Dogs used for Scout or Patrol were crucial for determining whether or not an area was safe. Only the smartest and quietest of dogs are selected for this position. These dogs are required to remain silent as to not be detected themselves, while possessing the ability to detect the presence of an enemy up to 1,000 yards away.
• Messenger Dogs
  • These dogs are considered to be the most loyal of the military dogs, because of their ability to work with two different handlers. These dogs are trained to use natural cover and bring messages from one handler to the other without being detected by enemy forces.
• Mine Dogs
  • Mine Dogs work in arguably the most dangerous conditions of them all. These dogs are trained to sniff out explosives and find trip wires in order to keep soldiers safe during transit.
• Tunnel Dogs
  • Tunnel Dogs were used mainly in Vietnam to help the US soldiers detect underground tunnels and bases. These dogs helped prevent ambushes by alerting their handlers of nearby danger.
• Casualty Dogs
  • Casualty Dogs are often the difference between life and death for a wounded soldier. These dogs put their own safety aside and search a battlefield for casualties. In a situation where just a few minutes can be the difference between life and death, these amazing dogs are the catalyst that helps lower the rate of death on the battlefield.

These dogs up for adoption have worked most of their lives, and are ready to spend their twilight years with a loving family. The criteria to adopt one of these dogs may seem high, but the rules are in place simply because these dogs deserve it. After working a lifetime in the military, it only seems fitting that their future home and families are of the highest standard. If you or a friend are interested in adopting a military dog, email mwd.adoptions@us.af.mil to inquire further!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Adopting Military Dogs appeared first on Lilly Brush.

The change I never saw coming.

During the months of rehab that followed, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to work. I had been a painter by profession, proficient enough to have always sold well. My beautiful studio waited just 20 feet from where I spent my afternoons, but I had noticed that a lifelong tremor in my hands had suddenly increased tenfold. Controlling a paintbrush for the perfect glint in a portrait’s eye or the delicious details of a still life had become nothing short of impossible. At times, my hands flew around like nervous parakeets. I had no idea what to do, but surviving the heart attack had made me optimistic. I’d figure it out.

Salvation came in the form of a shelter dog.

One morning, to finally oblige my son, who had for months begged for a dog, we went to the local shelter to look. To say that he chose the sickest, saddest looking dog the shelter had to offer is almost an understatement. Her name was Lilly. While the other pups gamboled and scampered around behind the glass, this heartbroken Miniature Australian Shepherd sat quietly with her head down and her back to us. She had been dumped in the afterhours kennels sometime during the night. I tapped the glass. Her head turned just enough for me to see an unexpectedly white-speckled eye. Was she blind? Poor thing. I so wanted to ignore the puddle slowly spreading beneath her, and her matted, dull coat, but I couldn’t. I’m ashamed to say I attempted to veto my son’s choice. He had recently lost a dog to cancer. I pointed out the other happy, healthy dogs. I argued that we had enough challenges at home. No dice.

So we waited, seated on the floor of the meeting room, while the attendant brought Lilly in. Unhooked from the leash, with everyone calling to her at once, Lilly looked only at my son. Of the 5 people waiting to meet her, she walked straight to the one who had just suffered through 2 miserable years of epilepsy from a football concussion. She stopped for a beat to sniff the air in front of him, and then lay down with her eyes on his. A moment later her sweet head dropped gently onto his ankle and she closed her eyes. It was an incredibly magical moment. This dog somehow knew exactly where she was needed.  

Nurse Lilly

As it turns out, it was that watchful, motherly aspect of Lilly that would launch my business. Each day, while my son was at school, she transferred her nurse duties over to me. I’d arrive home from cardiac rehab, and Lilly would climb onto the couch next to me. I’d nap. She’d watch. I’d wake to find her nose next to mine. It was a little unnerving…had I stopped breathing? She would not leave my side.

So much love…and fur!

Lilly had never been inside a house before, and her heavy coat immediately began to shed everywhere. I blew through sticky roller refills nearly every two days. Finally, in exasperation, I went to PetSmart for something better. They recommended sticky rollers. There was nothing to do about it. I’d had enough of the sticky roller racket. Everywhere I went, Lilly fur went with me. I started to notice other people wearing their pets as well. Polar fleece, the uniform of Colorado, is the best pet hair magnet you can wear. I could not stop seeing it. Why had no one solved this problem?

Then one afternoon, on my way to the sink to scrub around it with an old toothbrush, I noticed Lilly’s muddy pawprints on the couch and stopped to brush them off. When I looked back at the brush, I saw a little bit of fur trapped there. I brushed my polar fleece. More fur. I raced upstairs and stole everyone’s toothbrushes and cobbled together the first Lilly Brush in the garage that afternoon. By the time my sons came home from school I had nearly cleaned the whole house with it. It wasn’t perfect by any means. The brushes wore down quickly, and the hair tangled the bristles, but it was the start of an idea. It was something.

Next post: How to Protect Your Idea Prior to Filing For a Patent

Founder, Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post How a Tough Year and a Ridiculous Looking Cleaning Hack Started a Business. appeared first on Lilly Brush.