My K9 experience

So as mentioned in the previous post, I had the absolute privilege to have an up close and personal experience with some of the working dogs out here.  The group that owns the dogs, AM K9, were kind enough to provide me with still pictures of my little adventure.

It all started on a lovely Thursday morning in Afghanistan.  My roommate, Juanita, and I traveled down to an open area to meet up with our new friends, and of course their furry friends.  We watched as they went through some of the obedience lessons with the dogs, the anticipation ever building.  Finally, I was told that it was time to start the bite work.  Great care was taken in getting me properly suited up to help prevent any injuries.  The black sleeve is made of neoprene, and was on my left arm.  This becomes more relevant later on.  I couldn't hardly bend over, so the kennel master helped get me all velcro-ed in properly.  I should have taken this as a hint, but I digress.

They got me all zipped up in the jacket, and I was ready to roll.

We began by me approaching Roedolf (I think that's how his name is spelt) and Cindy.  I was then sent from the area.

After being asked to come back, I refused (as instructed) and the game was on.

Here is first impact......

And moments later, I can't stand, she's upright, and I can do nothing but giggle.  The way she whipped her body around to take me down was absolutely amazing.  I was personally afraid to take my hands out of the protection of the suit to stand up.....

So they were kind enough to help me up!  Even after standing up she was latched on without any hope of letting go until she was instructed to.  I thought her bite was strong!  Little did I know....but again, I'm getting ahead of myself.

I was escorted by both away from the area.  See, she's just begging for me to make a wrong move so she can come back at me!

After recounting the experience, and with plenty of adrenaline coursing through my body, I was ready for the next experience.  I was matched up with Cir (pronounced sear) to do a short bite.  I was told that he has the strongest bite of all the dogs in the kennel, so I was happy to have the neoprene sleeve on.  It was only until Cir decided my right arm looked tastier that I realized I was probably going to hurt. He jumped, and latched on with his front legs.

The most nerve-wracking part was having my back turned to Cir.  Notice, I was looking over my left shoulder as that's the direction I expected him from.

Oh little did I know!!  Nom nom nom right arm!

The entire time he was "on" me, he was moving his mouth to effectively have a better bite.  Of course, again in retrospect, this determined the size and depth of my bruise.  You can revert back to the other pictures to again look at just how thick that suit it, but he was able to break the skin even through the suit.  He definitely has a strong jaw- and makes me not want to mess with Kaiser (my parent's shepherd) at all!  I can absolutely understand why his handler says she feels safe walking around base at night with him by her side.

This is a picture of my arm immediately afterwards.  That bruise is on the underside of my forearm, but the worst of it is right over the top of my elbow bone.  It's been almost a week today and it is finally yellowed out.  Slightly tender to the touch just over the elbow, but otherwise not too bad!  I have pictures of it, not to worry!  (on a side note, I've found I'm slightly more accident prone here as opposed to Kandahar, especially evidenced by the new bruise over my left eye from yet another "volunteer to have fun" activity- a firefighter's challenge.  it's totally worth the laugh while watching the video of us! see, there's still more to come- I have to keep y'all intrigued somehow!)

This was taken before the above picture, but I thought it was a great one to end on.  They were all cracking up that I was so enthusiastic to keep going!  Unfortunately due to time constraints we had to call it quits after those two experiences, but I really did love every minute.  The power of these dogs is absolutely nothing to be laughed or scoffed at.  Their handlers too are absolutely amazing and work hard with their animals.

Stay tuned for depictions of the firefighters challenge in remembrance on 9/11!  My partner and I may not have had the fastest time, but we motivated everybody!  And of course impressed everybody with my fall- nobody laughed until they saw I was ok!

More to come!