Bart Bear's Blog

There is a special exhibition on now at the Australian War Memorial. It is called "A is for Animals" and it tells the story of animals in war. Mostly you hear about the terrible things that happen to people and the bravery of the heroes, but never much about the animals. War is tough on animals. The big tough ones like elephants, camels and horses get called in to carry supplies, haul guns and carry soldiers into battle. The cute little ones sometimes become mascots and get taken all over the world and sometimes even into the battle zones. Some are real heroes, like the dogs that guard camps. I think the dogs that sniff out mines are the bravest animals ever. Some animals even try to tell their people that trouble is on the way, like the cat that tried to run away from its ship 3 times before the ship was sunk in battle. Then there are the animals that pay the ultimate price and are used as food for the troops. And there are the "animal baddies" in the battlefields, usually insects that spread disease and chompy things like crocodiles. Animals have been forced into just about every war ever fought and have always done their best, just as much as the people involved. When you remember the troops don't forget the animals.

Labels: Canberra