Meet Conan THE DOG WHO HELPED TAKE DOWN AL-BAGHDADI
“To me, they’re the first line of defense,” United States War Dogs Association President Ron Aiello told Vox after the news about Conan came out. “They’re such a great asset to our military today.” Military dogs are put up for adoption after 6–8 years in the service, which means a lucky civilian could take Conan in as early as 2022! Meanwhile, dozens of other smart canine heroes are looking for homes. To learn more about military and other working dog adoptions, visit MissionK9Rescue.org.
On Oct. 28 last year, President Donald Trump tweeted a photo that quickly went viral. It showed an adorable snapshot of a bright-eyed Belgian Malinois, tongue lolling, still wearing its camo military vest. In the caption, President Trump explained that the pup, Conan, was a national hero who was instrumental in taking down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. With four years in special operations forces and roughly 50 missions under his collar, Conan was selected to be part of the team that pursued al-Baghdadi through a network of underground tunnels in northwest Syria, where the terrorist ultimately died. It’s unclear whether Conan was there to track al-Baghdadi or to spot improvised explosive devices that may have been planted on the route, but either way, he performed well. According to NBC News, Conan was injured by some live electrical cables during the mission, but he recovered quickly and was back on duty within the week. Meanwhile, President Trump invited the brave pup to the White House and tweeted out a doctored photo that showed him awarding Conan a Medal of Honor. President Trump captioned the photo “AMERICAN HERO!” and he’s not alone in his appreciation for the hardworking dogs that have been helping our military since WorldWar II.
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It’s the soul-crushing defeat of your health backsliding. It’s even the dread as the hospital light comes on at 3 a.m. and a nurse or tech comes in to find a vein that hasn’t been poked too many times already. Experiencing these emotions, dealing with the fallout of a significant health issue, fighting through setbacks, and continuing to sit in the doctor’s room once a quarter waiting for the doctor to walk in and report how my new kidney is holding up — all of these experiences have made me a better lawyer. These lessons have taught me how to be more empathetic and understanding on a deeper level than ever before. I feel a connection with our clients as they tell me their stories of what they have been through. I feel a sense of pride for them as they move through their recoveries and begin to heal. I better understand the flood of emotions they endure throughout the entire process. Having that better understanding allows me to better relate those emotions to others, including insurance adjusters and juries.
feel immediately after being involved in some traumatic event or receiving traumatic news. It’s the kind of fear where your head begins to spin and time slows down as you try to digest what has happened. It’s the anxiety that streams through your body as you realize life may never be the same again. It’s the heart-wrenching sorrow you experience as you come to terms with your future and what may no longer be available for you to pursue, enjoy, teach, and learn. It’s the dread of each recovery day and the potential for bad news.
greatest lessons I have learned is that there is good in everything as well as a chance to grow and improve, but only if you embrace it. My kidney transplant has helped me become a better father, husband, friend, and lawyer. If you are facing an uphill battle, let me encourage you too. Embrace the challenge, fight with all you have, and find the good in your struggle. -Scott Snellings
While I would never wish to endure difficult health or other situations, perhaps one of the
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