To Our K-9 Warriors ~ Guardians of the Night

Guardians of the Night

Trust in me my friend for I am your comrade.
I will protect you with my last breath
When all others have left you
And the loneliness of the night closes in,
I will be at your side.
Together we will conquer all obstacles,
And search out those who might wish harm to others.
All I ask of you is compassion,
The caring touch of your hands.

It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life and
Spend my nights unrested.
Although our days together
May be marked by the passing of the seasons.
Know that each day at your side is my reward.
My days are measured by
The coming and going of your footsteps.
I anticipate them at every opening of the door.
You are the voice of caring when I am ill,
The voice of authority when I've done wrong.

Do not chastise me unduly
For I am your right arm,
The sword at your side.
I attempt to do only what you bid for me.
I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.
Together you and I shall experience
A bond only others like us will understand
When outsiders see us together
Their envy will be measured by their disdain.

I will quietly listen to you
And pass no judgment,
Nor will your spoken words be repeated.
I will remain ever silent, ever vigilant, ever loyal.
And when our time together is done
And when you move up in the world
Remember me with kind thoughts and tales,
For a time we were unbeatable,
Nothing passed among us undetected.

If we should meet again on another street
I will gladly take up your fight.
I am a Military Working Dog and together
We are "Guardians of the Night."

-Author Unknown


In Memory of Cooper (and Kory Wiens) and Dak (who saved his handler Joe Fowler)

At Kory's funeral about three dozen dogs and their handlers
from Oregon agencies and the military attended.
To read a touching piece on Kory and Cooper's funeral, go here:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1184811955221090.xml&coll=7