Friday, December 02, 2005

Introducing Bingo


This handsome fellow deserves a post dedicated to him. Allow me if you will, to now introduce Bingo, my overly rambunctious and eager partner. I have never worked with a dog like him and as a result, I have no comparative equal. Let me say without reservation however, that if Bingo were a human, he would undoubtedly be overly-medicated on Ridlin. He is incredibly adept at finding explosives, but when stillness and passivity are required, he is found lacking. He is the proverbial child who is absolutely certain that if he is not at the center of activity, he will be left out of the festivities and forever forgotten. He is three, going on one. In an otherwise calm, quiet and relaxed environment, he is the ideal companion. One problem…combat is none of these. Prior to making entry into a house, where in his mind we are in the rear of all the “activity”, his impatience and constant jockeying for position had me at wits end. Exiting the amtracks during the operations was no different. I had to be the first to exit the vehicle as Bingo would have either dragged me over everyone else, or injured himself in the attempt. On foot patrols, the only reprieve I found was when he would tire himself out to the point where he was content to simply walk along beside me. To this day, I have not been able to find a solution to his incessant longing to be at the forefront of everything but I trust six months in a combat zone may slow him down a bit. If not... ridlin may do the trick. Regardless of his over-zealous nature, I would not trade him for any other explosive detection device ever created. In this area, his equal cannot be found. He has potentially saved the lives of many Marines here and for that, he will always have a place with us...even if it is at the front of everything!

6 comments:

DangerGirl said...

Awwwwww.....what a nice smile....I swear he knew he was posing for a pic that would be seen by many a kute babe!!!

I think I'm in love!!! Is he spoken for?? Is there a special "bitch" in his life?

You've captured Bingo's personality really well..I can see you trying to keep Bingo under control as he jockeys for position.

I think his rambunctiousness comes from a desire to protect you and from a love of "the hunt". He hunts out danger ahead of you. That's why he wants to run out first..make sure there is no danger lurking about!


Also, dogs sense dangerous evil intentioned human beings. Dogs are not easily fooled by duplicious insurgents hiding amoung the innocent masses. Dogs seek out truth..they sense the deeper truth behind the mask being presented!

I studied Native American Medicine Cards for years. Each animal has its own symbology and message. To Native Americans Dogs symbolize loyalty, friendship, unconditional love, compassion, understanding, need for approval, tracking, companionship, intuition, truth,guidance, protection, fidelity, faithfulness, watchfulness, "the Hunt".

Sounds like Bingo! Because his natural instincts are to protect you...he does so by running ahead...always on the alert..making sure nothing can harm you- he leads the way and in doing so..he makes sure the path ahead is safe. Thats probably why he wants to be the first one out...

Gotta love Bingo!

By the way -I found the pic a Marine had sent me of his canine partner- whose name was Dingo.
That's right..Dingo...no wonder I thought Bingo sounded and looked familiar.

Dingo...Bingo...WHO chooses these names?? LOL!

Stay safe Marine Man and God Bless Bingo!

Barb said...

He is a handsome boy, isn't he?

I was thinking the same thing about his rambunctious behavior -- he knows there are bad things/people out there, and wants to take care of bidness right away!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

He's got a mission and he knows it. And despite that big ol' puppy-grin, I have no doubt he'd rip into someone he thought was a hazard to your continued existence. Keep yer buddy safe, Bingo--and vice-versa.

Anonymous said...

Sent over from Castle Argghhh!

My husband brought home a year old german shepard at Thanksgiving. Jake is just like Bingo...except for that explosives skill. A neighbor's minature pincher squeezed under the fence and they chased each other around the yard for the whole day. Jake was much calmer. I just don't have eight hours to do that and was thinking of approaching the neighbors about renting their "toy" from time to time. *grin*

Thank you for the introductions.
~ cin

Anonymous said...

Sent over from Castle Argghhh!

My husband brought home a year old german shepard at Thanksgiving. Jake is just like Bingo...except for that explosives skill. A neighbor's minature pincher squeezed under the fence and they chased each other around the yard for the whole day. Jake was much calmer. I just don't have eight hours to do that and was thinking of approaching the neighbors about renting their "toy" from time to time. *grin*

Thank you for the introductions.
~ cin