Dogs really are the most incredible animals on this planet. No matter what, they'll always love you.
A dog won't care how much money you make, or what your job is, or what year your car was made; all they want is some nice food, a good pet on the head, and love!
Even if you're in the middle of a huge world war, a dog will follow you to whatever end if you treat them well enough.
So when Bill Wynne got the chance to buy a tiny little Yorkie named Smoky back during WWII, he knew he certainly wouldn't mind having a little companion to fight alongside him. Little did he know that this dog would change his life, and dozens of other soldiers' lives over the years.
These "war animals," are really something special. They are brave in the face of danger and, no matter what, they'll do whatever they can to save the lives of their humans.
Check out Smoky's incredible story below, and you'll see why she's so famous!
91-year-old Bill Wynne loves Yorkies, but it's more than just his personal preference. He's loved this breed since he was a young man serving our country in WWII.
He fell in love with this breed because he's seen firsthand just how brave and intelligent they are. When Wynne was off fighting in the Pacific Theater, he got the chance to purchase a beautiful little Yorkie named Smoky after someone had found her in a foxhole.
He had no idea that she was going to change his life forever!
It quickly became clear just how smart this little girl was. Not only did she help boost the morale of all the troops, but she actually ended up assisting in the war effort in a more concrete way.
A runway that Wynne was stationed at was being bombed every single day. It became clear that phone wires for communication would have to be placed under the taxiway. Any other option wouldn't work.
However, it would have taken a whole crew of men several days of hard work to keep the planes operational while remaining safe.
But Wynne managed to get little Smoky to climb through the sifted sand and get to the other side with the wire. What would have taken men days took her minutes. Not only did she have a cute face, but she was brilliant and brave!
After the war was finally over, Wynne and Smoky began to perform Vaudeville acts, and even appeared on some of the earliest television variety shows. In fact, she began to become so famous that she helped popularize her then obscure breed. Nowadays, everyone loves Yorkies!
But when she wasn't busying herself with becoming famous, she was helping injured veterans all over America. Acting as the first official "therapy dog," little Smoky showed just how healing a fluffy friend can be to someone in the hospital.
She managed to bring smiles to the faces of men who had fought in some of the most horrifying battles in the history of the world. She helped fight off Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in soldiers before it was officially recognized by doctors.
Smoky passed away in 1957 after a good and long life with her loving human.
And while she's been gone for many years now, a lot of people still remember just how incredible she was. She brought joy to people who went through some of the toughest times in their lives, she was brave in the face of enemy fire, and she always loved getting her head scratched by anyone who saw her!
So it makes sense that after 48 years, someone saw it as fit to dedicate a special memorial to forever honor her sacrifices. Back in 2005, at Cleveland Metropark, a beautiful recreation of her famous "war dig" was made to ensure that no one would forget her!
And while she might be gone, she'll never be forgotten!
Please SHARE this incredible story if you would have loved to have met Smoky, the bravest little dog in the war!
