helping in this war . Either you were at home working for an essential industry or you were boots on the ground in Europe or a sailor in the Pacific ,” Knopf explained .
Two memories of Putsey stand out to Knopf as clear as day . The first is of taking Putsey to the Los Gatos train depot , where he can still distinctly see a screened wooden crate with his dog inside , sitting on the dock waiting to be sent away . The second is of his mother reading a letter to him that they received a year later , informing them that Putsey had been lost in action .
Putsey ’ s exact fate will always remain a mystery . “ Lost ” is a vague term , and Knopf will never know if Putsey was killed in action or if he just went missing . He speculates that there ’ s also the possibility that Putsey could have survived and simply returned home with his handler after the war ended . “ That ’ s the only person I think the military would have released the dogs to if they survived , and even then that ’ s questionable . I have no idea what the military policy was . It just seems rational that you ’ re not going to put those animals back into society with their original owners ,” Knopf said .
Putsey ’ s sad and noble story is a testament to the sacrifices everyone had to make during WWII , and their perseverance . The experience left a profound impact on Knopf . “ I think I ’ m a caring and compassionate person , and I think that comes from observing how the people closest to you express themselves in times of stress , conflict , joy , and sorrow ,” he said . Twenty years after Putsey was drafted , Knopf joined the U . S . Navy to help with the war effort in Vietnam .
No matter how much time passes , Knopf continues to honor Putsey ’ s memory . Each year he brings a photo of Private Putsey , as his family lovingly calls him , to the Rotary Club Veterans Day program . “ It ’ s a sense of pride that my puppy sibling served the country ,” Knopf said .
Although a dog can ’ t fully comprehend the gravity of war , Putsey understood the importance of protecting his people and fought courageously for that cause . Both in wars and in our everyday lives , our furry companions help us through hardships and show us what love and loyalty look like . Whether you have a service animal or a pet , be sure to honor them for all they do for you . For Putsey ’ s sake .
To learn more anout the US Military " Dogs for Defense " effort and the ongoing War Dogs program , visit :
uswardogs . org / WWII
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