Dog lovers will not want to miss this magnificently written book.
"In a style reminiscent of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, Bill Putney reconstructs his World War II experiences with Marine war dogs, in camp and in the Pacific, as a platoon leader and veterinarian. The result is a fascinating and
poignant story."
- Brigadier General Edwin Howard Simmons,
USMC (Ret.), Director Emeritus, Marine Corps History, and author of Dog Company Six
"Captain Putney's heartfelt documentary of our military canines is a tribute to the animals that have spent their lives protecting American soldiers, and to the men who depended on them to protect America."
- Congressman Elton Gallegly
(23rd District, CA)
"Dr. William W. Putney brings an unusual degree of realistic empathy to his account of the training of Marine war dogs and their employment in the recapture of Guam, 1944. There is no Disneyesque artifice in his account of the service of his brave dogs and their Marine handlers. Dr. Putney makes an especially important point that well-trained and adjusted war dogs can return to civil life just like their human counterparts. His expert arguments on war dog training are persuasive."
- Allan Millett, author of Semper Fidelis:
A History of the United States Marine Corps
"Always Faithful is like opening a vault to history's secrets. The book yields the tastes, smells, noises, sights, and emotions of the Marine Corps dog handlers
during World War II. Dr. Putney's is a riveting account that brings together military and dog history in an unforgettable way and reaffirms the bonds that we keep with our four-legged friends."
- Michael G. Lemish, author of War Dogs: A History of Loyalty and Heroism
"A great book telling the untold story of the Marine 'Devil Dogs.' It should be of interest to all readers-and especially animal lovers."
- Captain Arthur J. Haggerty, former C.O. of the U. S. Army K-9 Corps and author of How to Teach Your Dog to Talk
"The canines who gave selflessly to protect our boys in the Pacific is one of the great untold stories of World War II-until now. A compelling read, Always Faithful is sure to touch the heart of anyone who has ever loved a dog."
- Mary Elizabeth Thurston, author of The Lost History of the Canine Race
