Top dog
Subtitle: the story of Marine hero Lucca
By: Maria Goodavage
Publisher: Dutton; Dutton Adult
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 306
ISBN-13: 9780525954361
Subjects: Afghan War, 2001-; War use; Veterans; Detector dogs; Human-animal relationships; Casualties; Dogs; Biography
Description: "The New York Times bestselling author of Soldier Dogs returns with the incredible story of K-9 Marine hero Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Top Dog, Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A Specialized Search Dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name. The book describes in gritty detail Lucca's adventures on and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds and firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas this violence ignites. Here is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest military readers."--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Line of duty. Thirty feet ahead ; First in class ; A badass in Baghdad; title: The heat is on. Hey, a dog! BOOM! ; Triangle of death ; KIA together ; The way back; title: Full circle. Lessons learned ; All for one and one for all ; Home for the holidays?; title: Back to work. Special forces ; Rock-paper-scissors ; A final mission ; Pictures of a dog with three legs.