Happy Ending For Sniffer Dog From Afghanistan

[helen]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/kylies-ca...o-1225843069123

Kylies capture Digger's heart Ian McPhedran From: Herald Sun March 20, 2010 12:00AM Increase Text SizeDecrease Text SizePrintEmail Share

Add to DiggAdd to del.icio.usAdd to FacebookAdd to KwoffAdd to MyspaceAdd to NewsvineWhat are these? Adam Exelby and the two Kylies in his life - his wife and the bomb-sniffer dog who was also ring-bearer at his wedding. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: HWT Image Library

ADAM Exelby spent 24 hours a day, seven days a week with his sniffer dog Kylie in Afghanistan in late 2006.

When the decorated pooch retired in 2008 after tours of the Solomons, CHOGM in Brisbane and Afghanistan, Cpl Exelby, a six-year army veteran from Brisbane, did not hesitate to adopt her as his pet.

Then he met a two-legged Kylie, the woman who would become his wife.

Cpl Exelby has always been a dog person and was relieved to discover that his future wife was also an animal lover.

The couple met in a Sydney bar in 2008 and it wasn't long before Adam proudly produced photos of himself and the other Kylie on the job in Afghanistan.

"I laughed so hard when he told me that his dog was called Kylie," she said.

"After we met, when Adam went to work his mates never knew which Kylie he was talking about."

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Such is the bond between soldier and dog that most of the explosive-detection dog handlers at the School of Military Engineering at Moorebank in Sydney have adopted their charges as family pets, particularly those who have been deployed on operations.

Cpl Exelby and the 10-year-old kelpie cross worked, slept, ate and risked their lives together during their seven months in Oruzgan province.

The dog was a four-year army veteran at that point and was a great morale- booster for all the Diggers she encountered.

Kylie was drafted off the street as a two-year-old stray and, like all good bomb dogs, was (and still is) a frantic retriever.

The dogs are selected for their obsessive ability to retrieve a tennis ball, and the ball remains their reward throughout their service.

"She still loves the ball," Cpl Exelby said.

Mrs Exelby, whose dad was in the army, says her namesake is very independent and strong-willed - (a bit like her) - and became quite jealous when the new woman came into their lives. "I am just as stubborn as she is and now the boys know which Kylie is which," she said.

At their wedding in January this year, Kylie the dog took pride of place as ring-bearer and sole attendant.

"Everyone loved it," Cpl Exelby said.

"She fitted in really well and when the crowd was cheering Kylie was barking away."

[dog geek]

:rolleyes: That is just gorgeous - it really does make you feel wonderful after reading stories like this one! Check out the link, it has a beatiful picture of them all together...

[raz]

At their wedding in January this year, Kylie the dog took pride of place as ring-bearer and sole attendant.

"Everyone loved it," Cpl Exelby said.

"She fitted in really well and when the crowd was cheering Kylie was barking away."

Get away from my man bitch, you bitch!

What a great story.

[justin19801]

This is a good story.

I do have issues with humans involving animals in their problems though.

[sandgrubber]

Thanks for posting.

great story.

[Pointees]

Beautiful.