book cover

Jet the Rescue Dog: and other extraordinary stories of animals in wartime

by David Long

Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+

Published by Faber & Faber, 2014

  • Short stories

About this book

Jet the rescue dog was awarded the Dickin Medal on January 12, 1945 for saving the lives of over 50 people trapped in bombed buildings.

Here are stories of other dogs who have proved to be man's best friend through search and rescue, sniffing for bombs or by the important task of raising morale.

But it hasn't just been dogs who have gone to war. A bear was trained to carry bombs, a cat caught rats aboard a stricken ship and countless birds carried important messages home to waiting officials.

Many of these 33 stories have happy endings, the animals returning home to well-earned rest; but, be warned, some animals lost their lives through their dedication to humankind.

About the author

David Long spent 25 years writing features for national newspapers and editing glossy magazines before turning to books. An award-winning ghostwriter, under his own name he is the author of more than two dozen non-fiction titles for adults and children. With a keen focus on history and architecture, his books have been well received by readers and reviewers alike and translated into more than half a dozen languages. He lives in Suffolk, is the father of two boys, and has made regular appearances in newspapers, television and radio.

More books like this

Share this page Twitter Facebook LinkedIn