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(as of Feb 12, 2025 07:56:57 UTC – Details)
THE INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER
No Ordinary Dog is the powerful true story of a SEAL Team Operator and military dog handler, and the dog that saved his life.
Two dozen Navy SEALs descended on Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011. After the mission, only one name was made public: Cairo, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog. This is Cairo’s story, and that of his handler, Will Chesney, a SEAL Team Operator whose life would be irrevocably tied to Cairo’s.
Starting in 2008, when Will was introduced to the SEAL canine program, he and Cairo worked side by side, depending on each other for survival on hundreds of critical operations in the war on terrorism. But their bond transcended their service. Then, in 2011, the call came: Pick up your dog and get back to Virginia. Now.
What followed were several weeks of training for a secret mission. It soon became clear that this was no ordinary operation. Cairo was among the first members of the U.S. military on the ground in Pakistan as part of Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the successful elimination of bin Laden.
As Cairo settled into a role as a reliable “spare dog,” Will went back to his job as a DEVGRU operator, until a grenade blast in 2013 left him with a brain injury and PTSD. Unable to participate in further missions, he suffered from crippling migraines, chronic pain, memory issues, and depression. Modern medicine provided only modest relief. Instead, it was up to Cairo to save Will’s life once more―and then up to Will to be there when Cairo needed him the most.
Publisher : St. Martin’s Griffin; Reprint edition (March 16, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1250756960
ISBN-13 : 978-1250756961
Item Weight : 10.9 ounces
Dimensions : 5.44 x 0.81 x 8.31 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book compelling and heartwarming. They describe the hero as dedicated, brave, and talented. The writing style is well-written in normal language. Readers enjoy the Navy Seal storyline and tribute to working dogs. The love story is also appreciated.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Christine –
Awezome
I am older and prefer for the most part a REAL book. Hardback if possible. I am on a fixed income, hardbacks can be expensive. With good used books like the ones vendors thru Amazon provide, I can still afford to get a hardback. This is a great true story! A wonderful read! The book is in great shape! The print is clean, the cover looks almost new. I am a retired Animal Cruelty Investigator of 18 years. Knowing k9 breeds and what they are bred for was a good part of my job. This really is proof that when working breeds do what they love and are bred for they are happy, healthy and can do AMAZING THINGS for the one who works along side them and cares for them. This applies not just to the protection breed. As it is the same with hunting breeds, rescue breeds, farming breeds and the list goes on..This one is a must read for EVERYONE! If u watch videos of these military/Law enforcement dogs in action you won’t be able to stop yourself from bying this book to read about what else’s these brave and honorable dogs have and can do!!
Lisa –
Amazing book and story
I am not the target audience for this book. I have little interest in military details and, while I grew up with dogs and would love to have one again (if I am ever ready for that responsibility), I currently am dog-less. This book was recommended to me when I did develop an interest in the amazing feats of “working dogs.” I decided the story sounded interesting so – on a whim – I ordered it.This book is amazing and I can’t recommend it more. The writing is spectacular as it briskly goes from the process and mind set of becoming a Navy Seal, to that of becoming a Navy Seal dog handler. It deals with the reality of death and injury in the field along with the (added) reality of being human/canine but really also just a high performing one in very tough situations.The relationship between dog and handler is explored. The details in the book provide an eye into what being in training, a battle and life are like.I felt the end was a tough go. There is a certain question that it raised as to the obligations we owe our warriors, including the dogs, and the reality is that sometimes things can’t be made right. I cried – at the end – and books rarely made me cry.Does the book make me want to be a Seal or get a working dog? Absolutely not. But that isn’t what this book is about and I hope people aren’t deterred from reading it because they don’t think it pertains to them or their “interest”. This book is an amazing and important story, that grabs a reader, taking them on an moving and very real journey. I read consecutive books concurrently based on my mood, putting down one when I am in the mood for something different. I put down a wonderful and engaging, well written and briskly paced, novel to read this book cover to cover. The story is that good. Well done to all involved.
Dengerous Dave –
great book, great dog
Was this the best written book that I have ever read? Probably not but it is still a great book about a great dog and I am glad that I read it
Jay Chun –
incredible dog and humble human
A must-read for all dog lovers. So inspiring and heartwarming. Cairo was an amazing dog I wish I couldâve met and he was blessed to have met Will who seems like a truly humble, kind, great person.
dl2014 –
Nice to know how those bravery those dogs are
Very good book. Good introduction to navy seal life.How amazing and clever those military dogs areEspecially the bravery Cairo
Ivan Knote –
Perfect goft
Is a gift that was o gift list
Critic is me –
It has the seals story of his start, and then the dog.
I wasnt really interested in the navy seals training so I kind of skipped over that just speed reading that. Then to the good part the dog. Im not finished reading it but Im sure if your interested in this kind of story you will like it. These Belgiun Melinois are amazing in there relentless power and tinasious spirit and are tireless. makes for a good read.
Jcbdr –
Heartfelt, genuine, honestâ¦a MUST own!!!
As a military member (not quite SEAL level though) and dog lover/owner myself, needing something new to read, I thought this book would be relatable. Little did I know it would be FAR more than that. I bought this book 2 weeks ago and have read it twice. Not only was Will so honest but so was his story. By the end of the book, Cairo and Will felt like friends rather than just people in a book. I have witnessed first hand the struggles of Combat Veterans and so deeply wish service animals were given the same privileges as their human counterparts. This book hit deep and it hit hard on how far we still have to go in honoring those who serveâ¦ALL who serve. These stories need told and I am forever thankful/grateful to Will for writing this tribute about himself and about Cairo. Both true American heroes. Especially the part about the 9/11 memorialâ¦I was AD during the attacks and February 2022 was my first time seeing the memorials. Somber, humbling, and emotional. I didnât have my dogs with me, only my daughter who wasnât even alive at the time of the attacks, but I was grateful for her presence. Thank you for this moving experience and thank you to you, to Cairo, and to all of your teammates for the constant and thankless jobs you did over the years. It is because of that service my kids have grown up, relatively saferâ¦and who also have now chosen to serve. Cheers to Cairoâ¦what an extraordinary pup!
Marie Nesvadba –
Reading
Nikhil Tom Benjamin –
The author loves his dog(s). It s clear. But nothing else in this book.
Dominic –
Lesenswert
Mrs Sandra Silvestri –
This book is so well written, I thoroughly enjoyed, worth every penny
Andrés Silva rios –
buen libro para leer al que le guste libros basados en historias reales.