She is a real Marine and we are called a team for a reason.” I know all handlers think their dogs are the best but she is truly the best. Lucca being a mix of both these breeds had the best of both worlds. I personally think the best breeds of dogs for the military are the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois because they are the easiest to train. Being a kennel master at Pendleton, and a supervisor for all the Marines and the military dogs including training and operational readiness I can tell a special dog. The handlers have to be independent thinkers, mature, responsible, have confidence in themselves and the dog, but are never cocky. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name. But this is more than a war story, it is also about the extraordinary bond that developed between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez.Ĭhris Willingham commented, “Military dogs have drive, loyalty, intelligence, are trainable, can handle the rigors of combat, and can take directions. A Specialized Search Dog, Lucca belongs to a group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler. The reader is taken on a six year journey with Lucca from her youth in the Netherlands, her formative months in Israel as part of the elite Israeli Oketz K-9 group, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the death of her best four-legged friend, to losing a leg and being adopted by her handler and his family. Unlike other books the author skillfully goes back and forth between Lucca surviving an IED bombing and how she became such an important part in the effort to save her fellow Marines’ lives. The intensity of the book is presented from page one, where readers find themselves immediately rooting for Lucca. Top Dog is the story of a German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix, Lucca, and her dog handlers, Marine Staff Sergeant Chris Willingham and Marine Corporal Juan "Rod" Rodriguez. The author shows the passionate relationship between a military working dog and its partner. It is the story of two heroes, one male and one female, one four-legged and her handler.
Maria Goodavage’s latest book, Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca, is a true story that is also a riveting thriller with action-packed scenes, heart-pounding combat sequences, high tension, and suspense.
You can read all of our book reviews by clicking on the Books category link on the right sidebar.ĭogs always seem to be an intricate part of people’s lives. The following book review is a special for BlackFive readers provided by Elise Cooper.
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