02545cam a2200373 i 4500 94210350 TxAuBib 20150128120000.0 140708s2014||||||||||||||||||||||||eng|u 2014023493 9780525954361 hardback $26.95 0525954368 hardback $26.95 (OCoLC)871192240 TxAuBib rda Goodavage, Maria, 1962- Top dog : the story of Marine hero Lucca / Maria Goodavage. New York, New York : Dutton, [2014] ©2014. x, 306 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : color illustrations ; 24 cm. txt rdacontent n rdamedia nc rdacarrier Includes bibliographical references. "The New York Times bestselling author of Soldier Dogs returns with the incredible story of K-9 Marine hero Lucca, and the handlers who fought alongside her through two bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Top Dog, Maria Goodavage takes readers into the life of Lucca K458, a decorated and highly skilled military working dog. An extraordinary bond develops between Lucca and Marine Corps dog handlers Chris Willingham and Juan Rodriguez, in what would become a legendary 400-mission career. A Specialized Search Dog, Lucca belongs to an elite group trained to work off-leash at long distances from her handler. She served alongside both Special Forces and regular infantry, and became so sought-after that platoons frequently requested her by name. The book describes in gritty detail Lucca's adventures on and off the battlefields, including tense, lifesaving explosives finds and firefights, as well as the bravery of fellow handlers and dogs they served with. Ultimately we see how the bond between Lucca and her handlers overcame the endless brutalities of war and the traumas this violence ignites. Here is a portrait of modern warfare with a heartwarming and inspiring conclusion that will touch dog lovers and the toughest military readers."-- Provided by publisher. 20150128. Lucca (Dog.) Dogs War use Afghanistan. Detector dogs Afghanistan. Human-animal relationships. Afghan War, 2001- Casualties. Afghan War, 2001- Veterans United States Biography. Military working dogs. TXKAR