If I asked you what you were doing when you learned about the terror of the unfolding 9/11 disaster, I have no doubt that nearly 100% of you could provide, in great detail, your memory of that dark day.  Now, how about May 2, 2011—what can you tell me about that day?  Actually, I can't recall anything about it, but the co-author of No Ordinary Dog, Will Chesney, was there when the mastermind of September 11th, Osama Bin Laden, was finally brought to justice during one of the most incredible Navy SEAL operations of all time.

Due to the highly classified nature of the ultimate in top secret missions, only one operative's name was released at the time—Cairo—the extraordinary military dog present during the raid.  This is the story of Cairo and Will's journey to achieving their joint, and yet distinct, destinies.  Most of all, it is a poignant tribute to the life-changing power of the human-animal bond.

Chesney knew his destiny very early in life.  All he ever wanted to be was a Navy SEAL.  It was that, or nothing.  Likewise, Cairo, an exquisite Belgian Malinois, was bred, raised, and trained for an equally elite destiny.  Few animals ever make the cut when it comes to serving as a special ops war dog.  Cairo was among the rarest of the rare.

Though I had read books and seen movies about Navy SEALS, nothing ever really drove home the extreme sacrifices made by these rare individuals like No Ordinary Dog.  Reading Chesney's accounts of what he felt and experienced during his SEAL training made me wonder how anyone ever endured this rite of passage.  Likewise, despite reading dozens of books about the process of how service dogs are prepared for their work, this was a very different look into the becoming of a top-of-the-line military counterterrorism dog.  It was fascinating to learn about the motivations and methods that come together to create a weaponized canine capable of functioning at unbelievably complex levels.

Over the course of their tours of duty, there was plenty of action and memorable moments in service to their country.  If you are like me, though, it will be their final mission that stands out.  When Will is seriously wounded by a grenade explosion, and suffers from the long-term impacts of PTSD and other equally debilitating injuries, it will take the unbreakable bond he shares with Cairo to get him through the greatest challenge of his life.

This is a book for anyone who loves dogs, enjoys military history, appreciates the sacrifices made by our human and canine military forces, or who finds inspiration in the incomparable connection between humans and their animals.  It is a book that will stay with you during this time when our nation is once again shaken to its very core just as it was on that September day so many years ago.

When life for the entire universe and planet turns on its end and like everyone else you "have nothing to do" while your place of work is closed,  superspeed readers like me can read 250+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

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.

This book bought me to tears at times as it is so heartfelt - Cairo is one helluva dog. Dogs "get" people, especially when they are in pain, mentally or physically, and Cairo and his guardian (we never OWN pets) went through a war both physically and mentally. Anyone who loves animals will appreciate this wonderfully written autobiography and I can see book clubs lapping this up as we tend to be animal lovers as well. A wonderfully uplifting book about a man and his (super) dog.

p.s. if you wondered as I did ...DEVGRU stands for US Naval Special Warfare Development Group

As always, I try to find a reason to not rate with stars as I love emojis (outside of their incessant use by "🙏-ed Social Influencer Millennials/#BachelorNation survivors/Tik-Tok and YouTube  Millionaires/etc. " on Instagram and Twitter... Get a real job, people!) so let's give it 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶

I am finishing this book with tears rolling down my face. This was such a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful dog who gave so much to his country and I’m glad I know his story. As the wife of an Army Veteran who suffers from PTSD and the mom of two shepherds this book hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt every emotion and every deployment. I’m so proud of our veterans and the battle they still fight when they come home. 
If your a dog lover please read this book- out April 2020! Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced ebook copy!

No Ordinary Dog by Will Chesney; Joe Layden is a wonderful story told through Will himself about his upbringing, training, time during active duty with the SEALs, and his time afterwards. Two areas that I was drawn to the most ( although I loved the entire book) is his story and partnership with Cairo, a stunning Belgian Malinois whom Will was Dad and partner throughout several deployments and time here in the States, and Will’s struggles and perseverance through his physical injuries and also his psychiatric obstacles after experiencing a TBI while on a mission. 

As someone who has always had a dog as part of my family, and someone that comes from an extensive family history of serving in the Marines and Army in combat, as well as a full time profession, and someone that passionately supports our military and veterans, I was obviously drawn to this book immediately.

To be able to glimpse inside the dynamics, training, and utter trust, love, and loyalty in Will and Cairo’s relationship was amazing. Will was not just a handler and Cairo is not just a service dog. They were so much more to each other. It almost seemed as if each half made the other a better being. I was just in awe of all the preparation, training, physical obstacles, and the utter devotion that they had for one another on and off the field, and also “post-game”. 

I also truly appreciated Will sharing his story of injury, sadness, TBI, PTSD, and his ongoing road to recovery. He is beyond impressive, and I am in awe of his honesty and determination to find the life he deserves. I am very happy for him and his family.

There were times that I laughed, and definitely two times I cried, like really, really hard. Anyone that has a dog as part of their family know what I mean.

This is an amazing book for anyone that is passionate about dogs, training, military, our veterans, and helping find the road to recovery for once they return home. 

5/5 stars enthusiastically 

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

This book starts out when Will, a recent high school graduate, decides he wants to be a Navy SEAL. The description of the training process is really amazing; I assumed it was challenging, but had no idea how rigorous it was. He had several tours in Iraq, and began to work with the combat dogs before he was deployed to Afghanistan. Cairo was a Belgian Malinois, and an amazing team member and friend--he was the dog who accompanied the mission which took out Osama Bin Laden. Will had several deployments, the last of which ended his military career. His story of pain, PTSD, and self medication will sadly resonate with many veterans. Even though the combat descriptions were hard to read (and except for a brief mention of politics, which was to me irrelevant to his exceptional story)  this book tells an amazing story of war, its repercussions, and Cairo, who was not only a working partner to the SEAL team, but who also proved to be a much-loved friend to Will. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.