War Stories:
Between People and Canines

How Fran and Ralph Thorpe first got involved with Kerry Blue Terriers:
Here is their story as it appeared in the April 1991 issue of Kerry Klips.

During World War II, Ralph was assigned as an officer to the Canine Corps. One of the many breeds being tested for use in this elite training program was a Kerry. It was the first time that Ralph had been associated with this breed of Irish leprechaun dogs, and was immediately taken by the loveable temperament. That is, until the adorable Kerry came nose to nose with the other canines. No amount of discipline, bribing, or petting could induce this Kerry to adhere to the straight and narrow.

The Kerry was finally mustered out of the K-9, and sent back to its owners with what amounted to a "dishonorable discharge." But Ralph wrote raving reviews back to Fran. Even if a Kerry might not be the perfect K-9 recruit, when the war was over, this was a breed that they should find out more about. And when Ralph returned from Europe, sure enough, he and Fran purchased their first Kerry. The O'Tamarac line has been in existence for close to 50 years now.

The Thorpes have not only produced winning Kerries that all breeders would be proud of, but have started innumerable first-time Kerry owners in the show ring. Thank you Fran and Ralph, from all of us you took by the hand and showed the way.

Footnote:

Not a great deal of mention was made of the use of dogs in the recent Gulf War, although the French forces did include a unique division of 1,177 highly trained canines. The air force dogs, most of them German Shepherds (no mention of a Kerry in the lot), served as "mobile radars" patrolling and protecting the grounds around the French Jaguar fighter planes. These select dogs were not only used to whiff for explosives, but with their keen noses, learned the scent of their human comrades-in-arms, and were reputed to be able to sniff out an impostor in the ranks, up to 36 hours after an intrusion.

Last Update: 11/08/07, 10:35:24  Terms of Use and Disclaimer.