NathanGetting Caught
Their plans had all worked so far but even though he was completely attached to Stubby, Conroy was certain that his secret would be out in no time. It was not long until Conroy’s commanding officer ultimately found out about the dog! Conroy was now caught violating the army regulations. What was going to become of this? After all the effort they have put in, was this going to be the end?
Charming Stubby
It was quite a tense moment for the soldier as there was no way of getting out as he was caught red-handed. Conroy was in jeopardy of getting a punishment as he had defied orders. There was also a great chance of Stubby going back to his stray days as they could just leave him in the streets. But this time it would be on foreign land. Just then, Conroy decided to use a trick that Stubby had learned.
His Special Ability
Conroy had to find a way to convince the officers that this dog was not like a regular dog, that he was a very special dog. He gave Stubby the command, “Present Arms!” which Stubby obediently obeyed. He put his paw to his face and saluted the officer then and there! The officer was so amused that he did not put Conroy or Stubby under punishment. But it was not all laughter and joy for the two…
The Trenches
The duo was now faced with one of the most horrific times they ever had to experience. World War I took place on the Western Front along the trenches of the Swiss border all the way to the North Sea. For years, British, French, and Belgian soldiers had supervised them. It was now the American soldier’s turn to be in charge. Having Stubby around meant that they needn’t worry about rats which were a plus. But even the dog was about to realize that the war was no joke.
The Western Front
Stubby was present there facing the German troops on the other side and was not at all kept in safety away from the enemies. There was a brewing fight that urged the Germans to get out of eastern France. Stubby first came in contact with combat on February 5, 1918, that took place in a small French village called Chemin des Dames. The Americans were bombarded with bombs and shelling for one straight month! So how did Stubby react?
A Soldier With Brains
If you have come across the term “shell shock”, you would be aware that it originated from the condition of soldiers who came back from the Western Front during and after World War I. The explosive and destructive sounds became a norm for the men in battle. But Stubby’s hearing abilities was actually far more superior than that of the humans. Stubby’ was able to hear all the whistle and shriek of an artillery shell before the soldiers could. This helped the soldiers to prepare themselves and take cover each time.