Take Your Dog to Work Day: Amazing Dogs With Incredible Jobs of their Own

 

June 20th is “Take Your Dog to Work Day!” It’s a day to celebrate our canine companions and also encourage adoptions across the country. But your place of work might actually be kind of boring compared to these working dogs we want to celebrate. Here are some amazing dogs with incredible jobs! 

 

 

RIN TIN TIN: Not only did Rin Tin Tin appear in 27 silent films, this German Shepherd was actually rescued by an American soldier during World War I! American soldier Lee Duncan had come upon a damaged kennel that had been under control of the German army. Duncan found a mother and with a litter of five puppies that were so young, the pups could not even open their eyes.

 

Lee took the dogs back to the American camp and kept two of the young dogs for himself. When he returned to America, he trained Rin Tin Tin, who soon became a movie star! Rin Tin Tin was so popular that even after his death, his legacy was carried on by other dogs that bore his name.

 

 

In 1925, a diphtheria outbreak threatened those who lived in Nome, Alaska, but the closet serum to fight the disease was in Seattle, about 2,800 miles away. Due to the cold weather, they were unable to fly to deliver the medicine, so instead it was decided to deliver it via dog sled teams. The men and dogs that made the journey were all courageous, but Balto was celebrated because he led the final leg into Nome.

 

 

Sinbad was a member of the United States Coast Guard, given the rank of K9C, the dog equivalent to a Chief Petty Officer. Sinbad joined the Coast Guard after one of the officers was unable to give him as a gift to his girlfriend because the apartment forbade it. The sailors did not want to abandon Sinbad, so instead he joined the Coast Guard since he allegedly exhibited the characteristics of a sailor. Sinbad served aboard the Campbell during World War II and had even signed his enlistment papers with a pawprint.

 

 

Smoky is another dog that served in World War II. Smoky was a tiny Yorkshire Terrier that was found by an American soldier in a fox hole in New Guinea. The Americans first thought she had belonged to the Japanese, but Smoky didn't understand commands in Japanese or English. She eventually came under the care of Corporal William Wynn, who would bring the dog along with him as he flew air and sea rescue missions. Smoky also knew many tricks and entertained the troops wherever she went! Today, there is a statue dedicated to Smoky and all dogs who have served in war, located in Lakewood, Ohio.

 

 

Uggie is a Jack Russell Terrier, best known for his work in Water For Elephants and The Artist. In The Artist, many critics said that Uggie stole every scene he was in and there was even a campaign to consider Uggie for an Academy Award. While he was not nominated, Uggie was awarded the Palm Dog Award at Cannes for his work in The Artist and was the first dog to have his paws imprinted on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

 

And let's not forget Quirk's own hard working dogs! Momo does his best to find hiding spots all over the world and our Wedding Dogs show you what true love really means! 

 

Brian Morell is an awesome librarian from New York City. He writes about his travels and life at That Long Yellow Line and about music for The Ruckus. Follow him on Twitter @goodinthestacks.