Service Honours Bomb Detection Dog

[Boronia]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/26/2937984.htm

The explosives detection dog killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan this month, has been honoured at a memorial service in South Australia.

Herbie and Sappers Darren Smith and Jacob Moerland were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last Monday.

Hundreds of dogs and their owners gathered at the war dog shrine on the banks of the River Murray in Goolwa to remember Herbie, who died along with his handler and Sapper Jacob Moerland.

Barry Willoughby from the Army Museum says the bond between handler and a dog in war is quiet unique.

"They live together day and night, they work together very hard, long hours, they feed together, eat together, and so it's really your best friend," he said.

"The shrine was built a few years ago to pay tribute to all service dogs."

Herbie is the fifth dog to die in Afghanistan since the war began.

Sapper Darren Smith Herbie at the Multinational Base at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. (Department of Defence)

[mita]

Go look at the gorgeous photo, DOLer, JulesCavs' husband took at the service for Herbie. Great account from an eye-witness:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...p;#entry4632659