{"product_id":"secret-service-dogs-isbn-9781101984758","title":"Secret Service Dogs","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn an age fraught with terrorism, United States Secret Service canine teams risk their lives to safeguard the president, vice president, their families, visiting heads of state, and a host of others. Unprecedented access to these heroic dog teams has allowed a fascinating first-time-ever look at a very special breed of heroes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWherever the president goes, there will be dogs. They’ll be there no matter what the country or state. They’ll be there regardless of the political climate, the danger level, the weather, or the hour. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“If you let down your guard on the job,” says Special Agent Bill G., canine program manager, “it can change the history of the world.” It’s a burden Secret Service dog handlers take extremely seriously, regardless of their specialty. Tactical dog handlers on the White House lawn, handlers whose dogs sniff for explosives around the world, and those who walk their amiable floppy-eared dogs up and down Pennsylvania Avenue all live one common mantra: Not on my watch. Or my dog’s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e immerses readers into the heart of this elite world of canine teams who protect first families, popes, and presidential candidates: the selection of dogs and handlers, their year-round training, their missions around the world, and, most important, the bond—the glue that holds the teams together and can mean the difference between finding bombs and terrorists or letting them slip by. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“These animals will gladly run into a hail of gunfire,” says \"Stew,\" a Secret Service ERT tactical canine unit supervisor. “All they ask in return is for their handlers to throw the ball with them, pet them, and talk to them in an embarrassingly high voice.” \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSecret Service Dogs \u003c\/i\u003ecelebrates the Secret Service’s most unforgettable canine heroes. It is a must-read for fans of Maria Goodavage, anyone who wants a rare inside view of the United States Secret Service, or just loves dogs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"A pawesome book on the lives of Secret Service dogs.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e—T\u003c\/b\u003eime \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e offers an inside look at these animals; how they're selected, trained, and save the president from bad guys. . . . A collection of funny, dramatic, and heartfelt anecdotes.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eMensJournal.com\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Even non-dog lovers will be fascinated by Maria Goodavage’s in-depth examination of the highly trained canines and their equally impressive human handlers in \u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eThe Associated Press\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A wonderful account and history of these unsung heroes at work every day to make the world safer. . . . An important addition to the works that shows how dogs really are man’s best friend.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Goodavage compels readers with stories of the bonds between Secret Service dogs and their handlers. A must-read for the dog lover.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eBooklist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\"The latest treat for dog lovers by Goodavage.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Packed with colorful vignettes, this rich tapestry serves up a combination of history, cases, and appetizing personal recollections of handlers with their special working partners.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eAmerican Kennel Club\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A fascinating read. . . . A celebration of how training, heart, friendship, and duty can bring out the best in all of us. And it just goes to show you . . . everything’s better when dogs are involved.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eSan Francisco Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e tells the incredible story of the fearless animals who put their lives on the line every day to protect the First Family and the men and women of the Secret Service who love them. It is a heartwarming and compelling read that offers an inside look at the incredible bond between these dogs and their handlers—a uniquely American story of bravery, loyalty, and love.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eKate Andersen Brower, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eFirst Women\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Residence\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“It has been said that the best nonfiction books are those that reveal a hidden world to the reader: a place they wouldn't otherwise be able to experience. Maria Goodavage's \u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e is that kind of book—a well-researched and compelling read not only for dog lovers, but anyone interested in seeing high-level White House security operations from an insider's perspective.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Gerald Petievich, former US Secret Service special agent, author of \u003ci\u003eTo Live and Die in LA\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Sentinel\u003c\/i\u003e, and other Secret Service novels\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“As a guide dog user and survivor of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, I appreciate and understand the value of the teamwork and trust that bind a canine unit such as those portrayed in \u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e. This book is a must-read not only for anyone who wishes to better understand dogs, but also because it is just a really good story. Maria Goodavage captured me right from page one. As Larry King said about my own book, \u003ci\u003eThunder Dog\u003c\/i\u003e, ‘This is a page-turner.’ After reading\u003ci\u003e Secret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e you will have a new and stronger appreciation for how to build a relationship with your own animal colleagues and friends. Enjoy. The read is well worth your time.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eMichael Hingson, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThunder Dog\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Maria Goodavage takes us into a world that few know about and shows us just how special these dogs are. Although their work is serious, none of it could happen without the special relationships between the dogs and their handlers that come shining through.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003c\/b\u003eGregory Berns, author of \u003ci\u003eHow Dogs Love Us\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaria Goodavage \u003c\/b\u003eis a veteran journalist and the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSecret Service Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTop Dog\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eSoldier Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e. She lives in San Francisco with her family and yellow Lab, Gus Kilroy.Chapter 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A Very Strange Day\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall M. had been protecting the president of the United States      for eight years and was ready for just about anything. Even      terrorists, if God forbid they made it to the White House fence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But when he woke up early on the morning of October 22, 2014, with      his canine partner staring at him next to his four-poster bed, he      didn't know what to make of it. Hurricane had never ventured      upstairs without being invited. And yet here he was, on the third      floor of their downtown Baltimore home, looking like a normal dog      who wanted to go for a walk.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"'Cane, what's your deal, buddy?\" Marshall croaked, squinting at      his clock and his dog.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e For the two and a half years they'd been partners in the United      States Secret Service's elite Emergency Response Team (ERT), the      only place Hurricane had wanted to be while his handler slept was      near the front door. From there, the black Belgian Malinois could      keep watch on the entire first floor, including the back door and      the main windows. All roads led to Hurricane. His fur, the color      of midnight, blended him into the darkness. Perfect for surprising      an intruder.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane wouldn't move from his bed unless Marshall called him      upstairs, and even then, he always seemed to be in a rush to get      back to his spot. He reminded Marshall of a kid who wanted to      finish watching his favorite TV show, although he imagined      Hurricane's show was more like a live version of The Wire.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall lifted his head off the pillow to get a better look at      his dog. It was still dark out, but the street lamps bathed the      room in an amber glow. As soon as Marshall moved, Hurricane      trotted over to the top of the stairs eight feet away, then back      to the side of the bed. Stairs. Bed. Stairs. Bed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"'Cane, what are you doing? What's gotten into you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall closed his eyes, hoping his dog would settle down. They'd      be pulling a long shift later at the White House. No need to get      out of bed at this hour. He heard Hurricane's paws pad the      hardwood floor in a new direction. He looked and saw him standing      on the other side of the bed, close to the window, over Marshall's      gear bags and tactical boots. Hurricane gazed at Marshall with an      intensity the handler found unsettling.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall realized what his dog was trying to tell him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Grab your gear and let's go.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane lived to work. The dog could tell by what Marshall was      wearing if it was going to be a workday or not. If his handler      came downstairs in civilian clothes, Hurricane usually stayed in      his bed. But when Marshall greeted him wearing his black uniform,      Hurricane jumped up, tail wagging, and shadowed him until they      left for work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane lowered his head toward his handler's gear bags and      exhaled forcefully through his nose, making an odd grunting sound      that always got Marshall's attention.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall laughed. \"OK, you little weirdo, we're not going to work      yet. You need to go empty or something?\" In their early days      together he would say, \"Go potty,\" but he quickly realized that      didn't sound very badass. The dogs who protect the president don't      \"go potty.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They were out the door in less than a minute, even with leashing      and muzzling Hurricane. Marshall slept in shorts and a tank, no      matter what the weather. He kept a pair of size 12 slip-on Nike      7.0s at the front door and the back door. In an emergency, he      could be on his way in seconds. As part of ERT, it was second      nature to be ready for anything-even, it seemed, a dog with      pressing bathroom needs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall headed left toward the park. Hurricane had other ideas.      He jerked to the right, toward their white work van. He pulled so      hard that he would have dragged anyone who wasn't as strong as his      muscle-bound 235-pound handler. Marshall reeled him back with a      word and a quick tug.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane usually marked every tree and rock he came across. But      now he didn't bother lifting a leg until Marshall told him, \"Go      empty,\" in a firmer voice than usual. On the walk back home,      Hurricane pulled the whole way, ending up back at the van.      Marshall had never seen him so anxious to go to work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The dog wouldn't relax at home as Marshall tried to go about his      morning routine. Even their tradition of catching up on sports      news together in the living room didn't settle Hurricane. Instead      of reposing on the floor next to the couch, he paced the hall back      and forth to the front door.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You're so wound up, dog! Let's get you some real exercise,\"      Marshall said, and ran upstairs to get dressed for work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The vice presidentÕs residence (VPR) looks far more like a      traditional home than the White House. The Queen Anne-style      mansionÕs location, on the sprawling, tree-flanked grounds of the      U.S. Naval Observatory, keeps it fairly hidden from would-be      onlookers. By comparison, the White House is a fishbowl.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e There's a secluded field on the grounds, and if no one is around,      it's an ideal spot for ERT dog handlers to run their dogs. Even      though the dogs are under exquisite control, handlers aren't      supposed to let them out in public areas without a muzzle and      leash unless they're working. But these are high-energy dogs, and      they need to cut loose.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall pulled up and eyed the area. On this misty October      morning, it was deserted. Time for a half-hour game of fetch-on      steroids. Marshall, a southpaw, had pitched for the Kutztown      University baseball team for four years. Two of those years they'd      gone to the College World Series.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He launched a black rubber Kong ball for his dog. Hurricane      streaked out in its direction. The Kong jettisoned past him and      landed seventy yards out. Hurricane caught it on the bounce and      dashed back to him, wagging and bracing himself for the next      throw.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ever since he could remember, Marshall had wanted to be a pro      ballplayer or to work for the Secret Service. Both had the team      vibe and would provide plenty of athletic, adrenaline-charged      moments. His arm didn't get him into the majors, but it proved      convenient as a dog handler.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Soon after he entered the Secret Service at age twenty-three, he      learned about ERT, the Service's version of a SWAT team. The      challenging program takes guts, strength, speed, courage, smarts,      and a level head. Many apply, but few make it through the rigors      of the class.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall spent two years patrolling around the White House, and      made the Emergency Response Team on the first try. After three      years on ERT, he was offered the chance to be part of the canine      team. Marshall had never owned a dog but had worked alongside ERT      tactical canines at the White House and was so impressed by their      capabilities that he found himself wishing he could work with a      dog.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He realized that if he became part of the ERT Tactical Canine      Unit, his responsibilities would only increase. ERT canine      handlers don't transition away from their tactical capabilities.      Handlers are in the stack just like the other ERT techs, but they      have a dog on top of everything else.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e When he walked into the kennels on the first day of the ten-week      class in 2012, the dogs-all Malinois-barked with a ferocity that      jarred him. They growled. They whirled. Foam flew. Teeth flashed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Except this one dog, all black. The dog Marshall had been assigned      for his first day of training stood at the kennel door and stared      at him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You want me to just walk in there?\" he asked the instructor as he      stood outside the kennel holding a harness, leash, and muzzle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"He's all yours.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Why is he all 'stealth' like that?\" Marshall said with a chuckle,      trying to sound like he was at least half joking. \"Is that for a      good reason or a bad reason?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall cautiously opened the door and took one step in. As the      dog jumped toward him, Marshall braced for the worst.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In a flash it was over. The dog was standing on his hind legs,      front paws on Marshall's chest. He wagged and looked into his new      handler's eyes. The canine version of a hug.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Oh thank God! Marshall thought. He stroked the dog's head and neck      as they took each other in amid the surrounding canine cacophony.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall immediately knew this was the dog for him, and not just      because Hurricane would be the only black dog in ERT-although he'd      enjoy having a dog who stood out from the rest. There was      something about him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He vowed that by the end of the week, when the instructors matched      handlers with dogs, Hurricane would be his. If that meant putting      his thumb on the scale to increase the likelihood of getting him,      so be it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Throughout the week, handlers played a version of musical dogs,      taking different dogs out of kennels each day and switching dogs      when instructed. Whenever Marshall had the chance to partner with      Hurricane, he took it. He also took it when he didn't have the      chance, switching dogs back and forth with the deft hand of a      magician performing a cup-and-ball trick until Hurricane was at      his side again.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e By the end of the week, instructors assigned him Hurricane. When      no one was looking, Marshall tapped his chest. Hurricane jumped up      and rested his front paws on top of his new handler's Kevlar vest.      They had a few quiet words with each other before going back to      training.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Almost everything they did together as partners in training came      easily. Ridiculously so, Marshall thought.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Why is everyone saying this is so hard?\" he asked his dog one      morning when they'd aced a few new commands.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e All it took was one run-through for most tasks and Hurricane      nailed it. In the first few days of training with their new canine      partners, handlers used sliced hot dogs to reward their dogs and      speed up bonding. Marshall's stash of sliced hot dogs remained      robust, while other handlers ran out. All it took was one piece of      hot dog and Hurricane knew what he was supposed to do.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The dog even learned advanced techniques in one try. The first      time Marshall told Hurricane to stop biting a decoy in a bite      suit-a \"verbal out\"-Hurricane let go immediately.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I think I've got a real knack for this!\" he razzed his teammates      during a break as they went hunting for more hot dogs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You didn't do anything!\" one heckled back. \"You told your dog to      do it and he did all the work!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e About halfway through training he found out what was behind his      knack. Hurricane was not the young dog many of the others were. He      was at least three and a half years old. And the Netherlands-born      dog was titled in Europe-a champ in a popular police dog sport.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Most of the dogs the Secret Service purchased from its U.S. vendor      in Indiana were about two years old with minimal training. The      Service's trainers didn't want to have to untrain them on certain      tasks in order to train them in their own techniques. Besides,      highly trained older dogs were getting harder to come by as demand      for them increased.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall got to see Hurricane's European training papers once.      They were in Dutch, but he Googled a few of the terms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"His rŽsumŽ is, like, a thousand times better than mine!\" he said      to a supervisor as he leafed through page after page of his dog's      accomplishments.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane saw the supervisor look down at where he was resting on      the floor. Not one to let an opportunity for affection pass by,      the dog was instantly at his side, nudging his hand insistently.      When the supervisor relented and gave him a quick head rub,      Hurricane flipped onto his back, four legs sticking up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"He's good at training people to give him love,\" Marshall laughed      as the supervisor gave Hurricane the requested belly rub.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Your dog has a very big 'off' switch. He's an anomaly,\" the      supervisor said, shaking the black fur from his hand as Hurricane      tried to persuade him to continue.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I know! He's the best dog ever!\" Marshall beamed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane's friendly nature made the long commute from Baltimore      bearable. On their way to and from the White House, Marshall often      chatted with Hurricane.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Man, that maniac cut me off! Can you believe that guy,      Hurricane?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hurricane, the ultimate good listener, could not believe that guy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall usually smiled when he spoke to Hurricane outside the      training arena. His tone was happy and friendly. He sounded like a      father talking to a smart toddler. A smart toddler who could whup      some serious terrorist butt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e At ERT headquarters near the White House, the shift got a briefing      and assignments. The First Family would be in residence. Not that      this information changed how they protected the White House, but      it was important to know.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall and Hurricane would be working on the north grounds of      the White House, facing Pennsylvania Avenue. So would Mike J. and      his dog, Jardan (pronounced jar-dan). The four had gone through      canine school together and trained with each other more than any      of the other guys and dogs. Jardan was more of a typical ERT dog.      He had smarts and brawn, and was friendly enough as far as a SWAT      dog goes. But no one ever accused him of being overly      affectionate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The handlers drove their vans onto the U-shaped driveway and      parked close to the White House, Marshall on the east side, Mike      on the west. For the next several hours they'd be keeping highly      trained eyes (boosted by technology) on the fence line and      surrounding area. Vigilance was key. Anything out of place, and      someone would be notified, or they'd take action themselves. They      didn't sit in their vans and peruse the grounds wearing more than      forty pounds of full kit plus their weapons for nothing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Marshall hoped Hurricane's half hour of chasing the Kong at the      VPR would take the edge off the odd way Hurricane had been acting.      Normally, the dog spent much of his shift chomping on his black      Kong as Marshall kept vigil. Sometimes Hurricane napped in his      open kennel in the back of the van, but at the slightest movement      of his handler, the dog would jump up, ready for action.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e But Hurricane still wouldn't settle. He bolted in and out of his      kennel. He stood with his front paws on the console between the      two front seats, ears forward and eyes looking in the same      direction as his handler's. He hopped to the flat area in front of      the kennel and just stood.","brand":"Dutton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46305060454629,"sku":"NP9781101984758","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781101984758.jpg?v=1767736268","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/secret-service-dogs-isbn-9781101984758","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}