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37th out of 65 books
—
10 voters
Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between a Marine and His Military Working Dog
“In Iraq we put our lives in each other’s hands (and paws) day after day. We took care of each other no matter what. Rex and I have a bond that will last for the rest of our born days. If ever there was a marine who lived up to Semper Fidelis, the motto of the Marine Corps, it’s Rex.”
Deployed to Iraq’s infamous Triangle of Death in 2004, Sergeant Mike Dowling and his mili
...moreHardcover, 290 pages
Published
December 13th 2011
by Atria Books
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I picked this up after my dad left it laying around. A couple hours later, I had finished it and was wiping away tears. (just as a heads up, everything works out okay).
This is the real life account of Sergeant Mike Dowling and his Military Working Dog (MWD) Sergeant Rex. Sent to Iraq to seek out improvised explosive devices (I.E.Ds) and to launch the Marine Corps military K9 use in the front lines. This book was a quick read, and more of a conversation between Dowling and the reader. It's pleasa...more
This is the real life account of Sergeant Mike Dowling and his Military Working Dog (MWD) Sergeant Rex. Sent to Iraq to seek out improvised explosive devices (I.E.Ds) and to launch the Marine Corps military K9 use in the front lines. This book was a quick read, and more of a conversation between Dowling and the reader. It's pleasa...more
I was enjoying this book, quite a bit even though I know that the author was first a Marine and second an author. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling he had a great deal of help writing this. I don't believe that because I don't think he could write a book; he's a Marine...he could probably do anything. There is a point early on in the book (chapter 3 I think, after his first mission) that he talks about feeding his dog perfectly formulated Science Diet, etc etc. The section reads so much lik...more
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“Sergeant Rex” by Mike Dowling, published by Atria Books.
Category – Dogs/Military
The last time dogs were used in a military campaign was during the Vietnam War. These dogs were used for guard duty and searching out the enemy. After the war these dogs were mostly forgotten.
It was not until the Iraq War that we found that dogs were not only useful but also vital to the military. Their role became even more important when they were used to locate hidden explosives and armament.
Mike Dowling tells th...more
Category – Dogs/Military
The last time dogs were used in a military campaign was during the Vietnam War. These dogs were used for guard duty and searching out the enemy. After the war these dogs were mostly forgotten.
It was not until the Iraq War that we found that dogs were not only useful but also vital to the military. Their role became even more important when they were used to locate hidden explosives and armament.
Mike Dowling tells th...more
Mike Dowling is a Marine and a K9 handler, he is not a professional writer. Don't expect to encounter life-altering prose in this novel. Having said that, I was touched by this book in many ways. I'd rank it a 3.5 if possible.
This is the story of Dowling's 6-month tour in Iraq with Rex, a dog trained in both patrol and bomb detection. The personality and intelligence of the dog shines through in Dowling's telling. He recounts missions with Rex wherein they encountered situations so dangerous it'...more
This is the story of Dowling's 6-month tour in Iraq with Rex, a dog trained in both patrol and bomb detection. The personality and intelligence of the dog shines through in Dowling's telling. He recounts missions with Rex wherein they encountered situations so dangerous it'...more
The story of a young man who flunked out of college, but had long had in the back of his mind to become a Marine. Through some lucky happenstance he ends up as a K9 corporal -- he had always loved dogs -- and he is older than the others in his group, so is inclined to study more than party and ends up doing well.
This book is primarily about his time in Iraq with his MWD (Military Working Dog) and the perils and danger inherent in their assignment to search out IEDs and cached weapons and explosi...more
This book is primarily about his time in Iraq with his MWD (Military Working Dog) and the perils and danger inherent in their assignment to search out IEDs and cached weapons and explosi...more
This was a fun book to read. If you like dogs the bond between Rex and his handler Cpl Dowling is a good read. The book tells the story of Cpl Dowling and how he joined the Marines and how he ended up with the Military Working Dogs of the Marines. And of course he tells you all about Rex. Rex has been trained to detect explosives, ammo, weapons and also how to guard the perimeter. The story includes descriptions of their time in Iraq and how a dog with fur handles 130 degree heat, combat, stray...more
Jan 27, 2012
josh
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
animal lovers, war historians, citizens needing to appreicate our soldiers
Recommended to josh by:
shelf @ UAPL
Shelves:
leadership,
non-fiction
this was an amazing story of teamwork, dedication, bravery, service, camaraderie and poise under pressure. LCpl Dowling highlights the importance of the bond / teamwork between a handler and their MWD (military working dog) and the intense loyalty that goes both ways: handler to mwd and mwd to handler. these animals are capable of unbelievable demonstrations of intelligence, bravery, endurance and accuracy.
it was a touching story and tried to capture the intensity of battle - which i don't thin...more
it was a touching story and tried to capture the intensity of battle - which i don't thin...more
As an author myself, I tend to be a bit more critical of books than others might be. At the same time, I also measure out a little extra grace for that reason. But I have to say, this is by far the BEST non-fiction book on military war dogs that I have read (and I've read a LOT (for research)). The events are detailed in a captivating, humorous narrative style that is both engaging and compelling. It's easy to breeze through a half-dozen chapters without batting an eye. TRULY--THE BEST book yet...more
Wanna get me to cry? Show me a video of a dog welcoming home a person in uniform. The dogs go berserk and the person always ends up in tears. Okay, so this book doesn't have anything to do with that particular thing, it's sort of close. This book was a first person account on working in the military with a dog and how useful they are. I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was a very simple book though I glossed over most of the names and locations because after a while everything just sounded the...more
Sergeant Rex - Mike Dowling
Enlisting in the Marine Corps. in 2001 and deployed to Iraqi in 2004, Mike and Rex were one of the first Military dog teams to be in use since the Vietnam War.
As Mike like to say,"they were the Guinea pigs". No one really knew what to do with them or how to use them to their full potential.Mike and Rex learned as they went and showed just what good they could do and the lives that could be saved.
This is a dog story, it is about the bonding of Rex and Mike and how they...more
Enlisting in the Marine Corps. in 2001 and deployed to Iraqi in 2004, Mike and Rex were one of the first Military dog teams to be in use since the Vietnam War.
As Mike like to say,"they were the Guinea pigs". No one really knew what to do with them or how to use them to their full potential.Mike and Rex learned as they went and showed just what good they could do and the lives that could be saved.
This is a dog story, it is about the bonding of Rex and Mike and how they...more
This was a good book and it talks about how the working dogs help out the men and women in the armed forces over in Afghanistan. This book is about a small German shepherd who was trained to sniff out bombs and bomb making materials under the ground and inside houses. This dog was paired with a handler and shipped off to Afghanistan to a small base where they were in the triangle of death. This base was right next to the place that IED alley where most of the IED were planed. This book maps the...more
Who can resist the story of a dog and a marine? Rex, is such a brave and loyal military dog. Not only is his story of a brave dog but also, the story of friendship between a man and his best friend. I like this book, because one obtains a glimpse of the life of such magnificent dogs and learns more about the Iraq war. In some moments I felt that the writing style was a bit simplified. Although there were a lot of explanations I found that some of the stories were a bit repetitive.
It's hard for me to not love a book about 1) dogs; 2) German Shepherd dogs. So those factors right there gave it an automatic 3 stars. 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. But, it is about a guy and his wonderful dog partner who risked their lives to go into war. 5 stars for that.
I made me feel bad that my German Shepherd just lays around all day napping and going for an occasional walk. I'm sure she'd love to h...more
I made me feel bad that my German Shepherd just lays around all day napping and going for an occasional walk. I'm sure she'd love to h...more
this has to be one of the coolest books i hve ever read! Mike dowling has done a exceptional job atexplaing the bond between military wotking dog and handler. the book carries you through the duties of a bomb dog team and demonstrates the amazing loyalty of a dog to his best friend. i highly recamend this book to everyone dog lovers, military, and people who just want a good book to read. This book was AMAZING.
Excellent book about a military working dog and his handler. Written by Mike Dowling, the marine who was Rex's handler during their tour in Iraq, this book gives you insight not only into how the dogs train and work, but also the difficulties of fighting the enemy in urban Iraqi streets, where those firing at the marines, simply drop their guns and disappear into the crowds when they realize they are outnumbered.
This is an excellent book. The tale of this Marine solider and his dog is fantastic. As a dog handler, I appreciated how the search scenarios were described. This book kept my interest and never bored me. Mike Dowling is an excellent author with a book that should be read by all. Additionally, I would be remiss if I didn't comment on his bravery and sacrifices to serve his country. I hope Rex receives the honors he deserves for working along side his handlers.
I was moved by the dedication and bond formed between man and dog - between 2 soldiers risking their lives to save others. "In Iraq we put our lives in each other's hands (and paws) day after day. We took care of each other no matter what. Rex and I have a bond that will last for the rest of our born days. If ever there was a marine who lived up to Semper Fidelis, the motto of the Marine Corps, it's Rex." IMHO this is a great book in terms of story and readability.
Great book that combines two of my loves - my beloved Marine Corps and dogs. Marine Mike Dowling and his Marine Dog become 'guinea' pigs for the military in using dogs to combat the IUD's that are threatening Marines and Soldier's lives, since dogs haven't been used since the Vietnam era.
The reader will encounter war through both the Marine's eyes. Sergeant Rex and Dowling saved countless lives with their brave efforts on the battlefield. As I remember reading the book, their efforts as guinea...more
The reader will encounter war through both the Marine's eyes. Sergeant Rex and Dowling saved countless lives with their brave efforts on the battlefield. As I remember reading the book, their efforts as guinea...more
WOW, What our servicemen have gone through and going thru. 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.
Great for animal lovers, Marine Corps Supporters and those that want to get a "feel" of life in the Hot kill zone of Iraq.
Great for animal lovers, Marine Corps Supporters and those that want to get a "feel" of life in the Hot kill zone of Iraq.
This book was one I couldn't put down, the relationship between Rex and his Handler Mike was incredible, the trust and bond between these two was unbreakable, and the situations they faced certainly put this relationship to the test.
A book well worth reading, whether it be, because you are a dog lover, or interested in miltary history.
A book well worth reading, whether it be, because you are a dog lover, or interested in miltary history.
I think the author wrote this book to show us that war is not like it seems in the games. War is harder and misleading than it seems on tv or in video games. Sergeant Rex is a dog in the story, and the author also shows how having a dog can help the soldiers. After Rex joined the unit, the soldiers were happier.
Rex and Corporal Dowling work their bomb detection magic in Iraq in 2004. Corporal Dowling really loves Rex. He's very happy about the number of lives he and Rex saved. As much fun to read as this type of story can be. I hate war. I'm so glad Rex was able to save people's lives.
Without repeating what has been recorded prior to now, this book shows a relationship both humorous and serious. The methods used by the author suck you into their lives. I've recommended this to my friends. I could not sleep till I finished it. That does not happen very often.
This book was written by a good friend of mine and yet I learned a lot about his life in the military that I hadn't known before. It helps illuminate some of the experiences of our soldiers in Iraq, but most importantly, it speaks to the special bond between humans and dogs.
I found this book to be a fast read. I thought the subject matter was very interesting. The book is about military dogs and their handlers through the eyes of Rex and his Marine handler. I highly recommend this book to any dog lover.
Although the writer is obviously not a polished writer the passion he exhibits in his love for his dog and his never ceasing desire to save lives. The reader also gets a close.look at how "war is hell". Definitely not a book for everyone.
This was a very enjoyable and easy to read book. The author did a great job of making me feel like I was there with him and Rex, and also added some nice explanation of how dogs are trained and used in the military.
Great story about a military dog and his handler. Amazing the relationship they had with each other during the time they spent in Iraq "sniffing" for explosives and the many close encounters they had with death.
Riveting story of the bond between man and dog in the worst possible circumstances. Truly, dogs are man's best friend. Couldn't put it down. I think a set a personal record for the fastest read ever!
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