CWD Robbie MDD (Contract Working Dog Robbie Mine Detection Dog)

These are the words of Kristen Maurer about her beloved CWD Robbie. 

“On June 7, 2018,  my sweet angelic CWD Robbie crossed The Rainbow Bridge, and left a huge hole in my heart. 

Robbie was a Mine Detection Dog from Afghanistan. He was part of a program where the dogs are trained in the United States, and donated to local handlers around the world as a good will effort to find mines. Robbie was so good at his job, that in 2012, he and his Afghan handler won an award for finding the most mines. Unfortunately, his happiness overseas ended there. His handler was executed for working with Americans, and Robbie was stuck in a kennel, starved and tortured. 

In February of 2015, in a joint venture with SPCAi and War Paws, Robbie and nine other mine detection dogs were brought back to the United States and into Mission K9 Rescue's care. All of the dogs had either health or emotional issues, but Robbie suffered the worst by far. In fact, only he and one other dog that has come into our care hold the dubious title of "worst condition".

When Robbie landed, he weighed only 39 pounds. That was up thanks to the efforts of Louise Hastie of War Paws! I literally credit Louise for saving Robbie's life! She is a true hero! She not only got him UP to 39 pounds, she made sure he got on a flight. It was better to risk him on a flight and getting to the United States rather than him get stuck in Afghanistan.

The night they landed, it was so cold, and we were worried that although Parkland Kennels (where we housed the dogs at the time) were amazing and extremely insulated, they didn’t have heat. So, Billy and I decided to take Robbie home, and to everyone’s shock, he never left.

He was emotionally and physically scarred, but that did not stop him from loving everything and everybody with all of his heart.  He had many neurological disorders from the abuse he suffered, he had broken ribs, and his spine was fused from his shoulders to his tail.  However, he is the toughest dog that I have ever known.  He never let any of his injuries or handicaps bring him down.  He was a happy go lucky goofball, and he touched everyone that had the pleasure to meet him! 

On June 6th, 2018, something changed in Robbie (possibly a stroke), and he stopped eating and didn't want to move.  He and I slept on his dog bed all night and I was able to hold him and love him.  He enjoyed that, and I needed it.  He didn't want me to stop petting his face, and would grab my hand with his paw if I stopped.  The next day, he would not lift his head.  He was so tired. It was time.  He fought an incredible fight and survived so much against all odds.  He was a true, real life super hero!

My heart is broken tonight, and I can’t stop crying as I write this.

I just hope he is in Heaven tonight with a brand new mind and body, and that he is living pain free and running with Zorro, Chichi, Pudge and all of my others just waiting for me to get there!  

RIP Sweet Robbie!  Your watch is over, and you can rest now.  01 May 2006 - 7 June 2018.”