"He can't stop himself from being a search dog. Megan Leavey of Valley Cottage, died Saturday at the age of 11.Rex served two tours of duty with Leavey and had first gone to Iraq in 2004 with handler Mike Dowling, whose 2011 book, “Sergeant Rex,” focuses on the dog.Rex was by Leavey’s side when they were both wounded by the blast of an improvised explosive device outside Ramadi in September 2006. I also found it fascinating and horrifying to read about what the war is truly like when they are in the depths of the fighting. He also tells how he became a dog handler. The story was well written and was a good read for most age groups.I first got interested in MWDs after reading a novel about a former dog handler team and by watching the movie Megan Leavey. by Atria Books Written by former Marine Mike Dowling and co-authored by Damian Lewis, “Sergeant Rex” is an unflinching no-holds-barred real life account of the unforgettable experiences shared by a Marine and his always faithful four-legged comrade in combat. There was a flowing plot line, but it was fluid enough that side stories and flashbacks could been written in seamlessly without feeling randomly placed.
I enjoyed this read even though it is a hard subject to read about. The methods used by the author suck you into their lives. Mike Dowling tells a little about his life before he joined the Marines and how and why he joined the Marines. Both WWII veterans, and at least Durning was apparently VERY decorated. That being said, it's really hard to rate a book written about someone's war time experience. It is mainly dialogue, and this is a military book so. This was a very different side of military warfare that I had never even thought of. Overall a great read and a solid companion to A Dog Called Hope (also with Damien Lewis).I really liked reading about the training of the military working dogs, as well as the bond that is formed between the dog and it's handler. Sergeant Rex (E168) was a Marine Corps K-9 dog who was trained as a patrol and explosive hunting dog. I agree with James she should be deported from this country she is a traitor and I haven't watched any of..The Traitorous Bitch Hanoi Jane should have been tried for corroberating with the enemy and rotting in.. I have heard many times that some would like to know where she will be buried so they can give her all the respect she deserves by urinating on.."we know you guys will hate Snopes" - I think you are missing the point. He loves what he does, and he does it so well" and "He knows I'm trying to show him that they're friendly, but I figure to Rex they must look and sound like a flight of avenging dragons." I would have liked to have given it more stars but the author's "speaking" style was a little rough and didn't flow well.
I put this book right up there w/My Life in Dog Years & Training for the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen, and James Harriet's series of when he was a vet.WOW, What our servicemen have gone through and going thru. Mike Dowling tells a little about his life before he joined the Marines and how and why he joined the Marines. It's here that we first learn the dog (Rex, in this case) is always one rank higher than their handler - thus Sergeant Rex.
They were separated a year later after she was discharged from the Marines.I don't do well with dog stories, because I love mine so much, and I don't have any kids (yet). Mike Dowling brings us his experience as a partner to a military working dog in the Marines. I would have liked to have given it more stars but the author's "speaking" style was a little rough and didn't flow well.