One of the things that constantly amazes me is the reach of the internet. I understand it theoretically (somewhat) but the immediacy of the internet is astounding. Within minutes of posting a dog article about the use of canines in Iraq, email started arriving. There are wonderful and heartbreaking stories about these dogs in war. I hope that, some day, a gifted writer can put some of these stories together in a book. These first hand accounts need to be told.

A couple of the emails mentioned the use of Silly String in Iraq. I had no idea and I wrote back. I received details of how the Silly String has been used. And a look on the internet turned up this article:

“STRATFORD, N.J. - In an age of multimillion-dollar high-tech weapons systems, sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that can save lives. Which is why a New Jersey mother is organizing a drive to send cans of Silly String to Iraq.

American troops use the stuff to detect trip wires around bombs, as Marcelle Shriver learned from her son, a soldier in Iraq.”

link: N.J. woman collects Silly String for serious use

It really is an ingenious idea - and I am told that it is quite effective. Silly String may not be standard military equipment but it works.

* And a ‘thank you’ to all those who emailed about the dog article and who patiently explained how there is danger upon danger, even in the simplest missions. I am grateful.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]dogs, war, silly string, ambush, dangers, iraq, internet[/tags]