Clayton, CA – Nicole Arbelo became a dog lover when, as a child, the family German shepherd took a near fatal bite from a rattlesnake that was meant for her. In the early years of the Iraqi war, she discovered a special website where she read about fallen soldiers. She also learned that she could “adopt” several K9 handlers and their military working dogs (MWDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the stories that impressed her was about Sgt. Adam Cann—a K-9 dog handler who died in a suicide attack that killed 58 people in Iraq in 2006.

Sgt. Cann was from her hometown of Davie, Florida.  Bruno, the dog survived.  She decided to track down Bruno’s new handler, Corporal Justin Granado and she began writing. His story is one of dozens of stories of military dogs and handlers that she ultimately captured in her new book K9 Heroes; Together We Protect, Defend, and Conquer As One.

Sgt. Adam Cann and Bruno.

K-9 Heroes is a heartfelt and galvanizing collection of true stories about courage and duty, love and loss, as told by the men and women serving with military working dogs. Sgt. Cann and Cpl. Granada are among the nearly 30 elite marines and soldiers who are featured. Each story relates describes the experiences the handlers had and how their dogs are fearless, loyal and protective partners during missions and loving companions and that relieve stress and boredom when times are slow.

Military dogs have long been used in combat, but since 2001, the number of dogs has increase from 1,300 to 2,800. They are used to scout, search, and rescue. Some are trained to detect explosives. Others are used as sentries, mascots, attack dogs, and guards. General David Patraeus stated that their skills “cannot be replicated by man or machine.”

All are ready to lay down their lives for their handlers.

K9 Heroes
By Nicole Arbelo

List $ 14.95
ISBN: 978-1-4327-4475-5
Format: 6 x 9 paperback.
Published by Outskirts Press.

It is available at bookstores online. For more information visit www.outskirtspress.com/K9Heroes

K9 Heroes is illustrated with more 100 photographs that support the touching and often heart-wrenching stories of soldiers and their dogs. Arbelo also has a following of over 6,000 on Facebook—“K9 Heroes”—where she posts the latest news in the world of MWDs, police dogs, and Search and Rescue dogs. She also recruits generous people who develop friendships with deployed K9 handlers and their military working dogs and continuously send care packages.

Visit K-9 Heroes on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/K9-Heroes/276347852850?v=wall

About the Author

Nicole Arbelo has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Human Development. She began working with special needs students in elementary schools in 1998, and now is involved with deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students. She is working to become state certified in American Sign Language to be an Interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing. She lives in Clayton, California.