One of the most recognizable charities in the world is the Red Cross. The mission of the International Red
Cross is to “ensure the humanitarian protection and to assist victims of war and other situations of
violence.” This they do well, relying heavily on the services of the many volunteers who step forth across
the world.
It may or may not come as a surprise to the reader that among the many volunteers employed by the Red
Cross, dogs have found a way to be of useful service, and the Red Cross has many dogs among its
members.
Known as “therapy dogs,” Red Cross dogs are well-trained, gentle dogs who are sent into situations where
people have suffered great trauma, and these dogs serve to reclaim the broken spirits of those whose
lives have been shattered by the events. Dogs have long been known to have a cathartic effect and have
been employed by the Red Cross to perform such services as succor the war wounded; comfort the sick;
serve as guard duty. Red Cross dogs were sent to Blacksburg, Virginia, to assist in the emotional recovery
of students there, following the devastating shootings that took place on that campus.
World War I saw its share of massive human tragedy. Both sides who fought in the war utilized dogs as an
aid in effecting the war, and the Red Cross was there also; and their dogs served faithfully as always.
The Red Cross recruits volunteer dogs from all breeds and from all corners of the globe, and the Red Cross
is not above recruiting from the animal shelter.
Among my research I have found a story about one such Red Cross volunteer. Oh, he was not found by the
Red Cross at an animal shelter, but he had been found in one. Lorraine, France, had been the site of much
heavy fighting during WWI, and among the many victims of the heavy shelling that took place there, the
local animal shelter had been bombed, and many of the animals had been killed.
Fortunately an American attachment was nearby, and a team of soldiers was sent in to investigate. Among
the several animals to be recovered was a German Shepherd pup, found by a soldier named Lee Duncan.
The poor little creature had suffered his own form of trauma, which any living creature would if trapped
inside a building that was being bombed into oblivion.
Serviceman Duncan managed, along with the other members of the team, to recover several animals that
day, and although we do not know what became of the others, we do know what became of the one pup
rescued by Lee.
Serviceman Duncan would keep the pup for himself. He would succor the pup personally, and hopefully, if
given permission, return home at the end of the war with a prize worth returning home with.
Before leaving France, however, Lee Duncan’s pup would grow up and in fact find some usefulness
himself. Serviceman Duncan in exercising great love and patience managed to teach the dog the decorum
required of a good and loyal pup, teaching him tricks and how to obey on command; and serviceman
Duncan would volunteer his dog for Red Cross service, which service the dog would perform well.
Eventually, though, the war ended and serviceman Duncan returned home to the United States.
Fortunately his dog was allowed to return with him.
That would have been the end of our story except for one very fortuitous turn of events for the dog and a
not-so-fortuitous set of events for a pair of brothers.
The brothers had financial troubles, and the family business was facing bankruptcy. They needed a cure,
and they needed it fast. So they decided to go looking for the succor that they needed to get their
business back on track.
The brothers visited a dog show and among the many performers in the show the brothers spied one
healthy and vigorous and very entertaining German Shepherd, doing amazing tricks and performing many
acts of courage.
Impressed with what they had seen, the brothers approached the dog’s owner and asked if they might have
an audience to discuss the future of the amazing and well-trained dog. The brothers felt that perhaps, if
they could convince the dog’s owner to let them work the dog into their business the dog just might be the
ticket to save the family from its financial troubles.
So that is how our spritely and spirited canine came to be employed by the brothers, and which employ led
to our canine subject becoming so well known.
And more than well-known. The dog of whom we have been writing became so well known, that he is
perhaps the most well-known dog in the world – even in the history of the world.
On that day in France, serviceman Duncan had rescued one scared and frail little canine pup from the
bombed-out shell of an animal shelter, and here these few years later, that little helpless and previously
unwanted vagabond would become what we all might agree is the most famous dog in the world. And more
than famous – the dog in question has the most recognizable name among dogs, also.
What was his name? What name did serviceman Duncan give to this heretofore unknown mutt? It might
help to know that everywhere American GI’s have fought, they have been the recipients of the largess of
the grateful citizenry of whatever country into which they landed. Among the favorite toys of the children of
France was a toy puppet, which they joyously gave to American GI’s both as a token of good luck and as a
token of their gratitude for the service rendered.
While serving in France during WWI, serviceman Duncan was the recipient of one of these favorite toys. It
might help to know the name of this toy, which the French so willingly imparted to their so recent
benefactors, because it was after the name of this toy that serviceman Duncan named his dog.
It might also help to know the name of the brothers, into whose employ serviceman Duncan’s dog entered,
helping to stave off the bankruptcy of their company. Who were these brothers, and what was their name?
Why, they were the “Warner Brothers.” And their business – the family business – was making movies, of
course.
Well, what about the toy? What was the toy called, and what does that have to do with our story?
Well, the name of the toy tells it all. The French called the toy puppet a “rintintin.”
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