Artist creates ‘War Dog’ sculpture in honor of Military Working Dogs
The bond between a Military Working Dog (MWD) and its handler is pretty close. It has to be, as this dangerous job requires a lot of trust between partners. Now, artist and sculptor Susan Norris has made a loving tribute to the MWDs that have served the U.S. in the past, as well as those currently serve our country around the world. Here is more about this beautiful statue.
‘My Hero, My Friend’
Made of bronze, the statue is titled, “My Hero, My Friend.” The statue is a life-sized depiction of an MWD wearing a Purple Heart, which is given to members of the military who are injured in combat. The dog is looking sadly down, paw outstretched toward a helmet sitting atop a military uniform.
The sculpture
The MWD looks to be in mourning as it honors its fallen human companion. The purpose of the sculpture is to remind the viewer of the dedication that MWDs have toward the servicemembers they serve with – as well as their bravery while doing so. Norris designed the statue in such a way as to touch the viewer emotionally, maybe even bringing a tear to their eye.
“It’s moving to see people cry when they see my sculpture,” Norris said when asked about the reactions to her sculpture.
Where you can find the sculpture
The sculpture currently resides at Veterans Memorial Park located in Trophy Club, Texas, which is a part of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
“I’ve always had an affection for animals, but the bond between a military dog and its partner is on a whole other level,” Norris said in a press release.
The role of MWDs in combat
MWDs serve a variety of roles in times of war, including working as guards, messengers, scouts, and even mascots. And just like their human handlers, MWDs also suffer from combat wounds, both physical and mental. Also like their partners, they run the risk of possible death in instances of war around the world.
More on Susan Norris
Norris has been an artist all of her life, with painting and sculpting being her favorite mediums. She has produced a wide variety of sculptures on various subjects, including animal fiction, which she considers one of her favorite areas.
The New Mexico-based artist is self-taught, with many of her sculptures and paintings being featured in private collections around the world. In addition to her bronze sculpture honoring MWDs, Norris has also worked on other sculptures and paintings honoring the heroes of the U.S. military. For more on Norris, visit her Website or Facebook page.
Other MWD memorials
While Norris’ sculpture is both touching and beautiful, it is far from the first honoring MWDs. There is also the Military Working Dogs National Monument, unveiled in 2013 at Joint Base San Antonio in Lackland, Texas.
Check out the video below to learn more about this talented artist.
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