Last Updated on August 17, 2011
A British soldier who worked as a dog trainer with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps has made his final journey home from war, with his beloved dog at his side.
Lance Corporal Liam Tasker was killed in a firefight, but his dog, Theo, a bomb-sniffing Springer Spaniel like the one pictured, survived.
But hours after his master’s death, Theo suffered a fatal seizure, which veterinarians say could have been caused by the stress of losing its master.
A funeral cortege transported Tasker’s body in a flag-draped coffin, and Theo’s ashes, which will later be presented to Tasker’s family privately.
A line of military dog handers stood along the path, saluting Tasker as the cortege passed, and the handlers’  dogs sat at their masters’ sides looking on.
The Associated Press reports in its photo essay, which includes pictures of the two together, that veterinarians aren’t willing to go on record claiming that Theo died of “a broken heart,”  but it’s not that hard to imagine if you’ve ever owned a dog with which you felt a strong bond.
The dog was the first animal mankind ever domesticated, but it’s impossible to pinpoint when it began. The best guess seems to be around 15,000 years ago, when both human and canine recognized something in each other that they didn’t want to live without.
Those of us who’ve owned and loved dogs are better for that realization having happened.
Patrick, I'm glad you found this. I read about this (in the Seattle Times maybe?) the other day, and since we had just chatted a bit, I thought of you and meant to send it your way. I obviously failed to.
My recent post selah
Thanks for thinking of me on that, John. Can't wait to see you on your big day next week, my friend.