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I found Brownie the War Dog at a library book sale—not an unusual place to discover a good story, but this one felt especially saved just for me. Printed by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, set right here in my home state, and on a subject I love, the book immediately piqued my interest. While I have heard of dogs being used in war, I had never heard of the Dogs for Defense program before, nor the remarkable true story behind Brownie, a German Shepherd mix enlisted during World War II.
Both the author, Kelly Nelson, and the illustrator, Aaron Boyd, were new to me, and I was genuinely delighted by what they created together. The illustrations are lively and rich with detail, drawing the reader straight into the story. The thoughtful and engaging writing created an irresistible story. Nelson’s discovery of Brownie’s story came through a plaque she noticed while touring a Wisconsin Veterans Home with her father, a Korean War veteran. That chance moment—seeing a boy and his dog remembered—sparked something in her, and I’m so glad it did. Her care in bringing their story to life is evident on every page.
The book tells of a Wisconsin family whose lives were steeped in service. Oren Kendley’s father had served in World War I, his brother and brother-in-law were away fighting in World War II, and his mother was a cook at the local VA home. When the call came for American families to consider donating their dogs to the war effort, they chose to enlist their beloved—but high-energy—Brownie. What follows is a fascinating glimpse into an overlooked piece of history.
Brownie excels in military service, trained to sniff out danger and help protect the lives of soldiers. When he’s wounded and loses part of his vision, he’s sent home—but the author takes great care to show how thoughtfully the military prepared him for civilian life. We get a glimpse into the intentional steps taken to ensure Brownie’s return would be safe and smooth, and we see the family’s steady effort to support that transition.
Brownie adjusts beautifully—he’s well-behaved, not easily spooked, and clearly happy to be home. And yet, something’s missing. He longs for the camaraderie and sense of purpose that came with his service. Recognizing this, Oren’s mother begins bringing him along to work at the VA hospital, where he finds a new mission: offering comfort and quiet companionship to recovering veterans.
There is so much heart in this book. It’s a beautiful tribute to everyday patriotism, to the bond between people and animals, and to the ways love and service can take unexpected shapes.
I would recommend Brownie the War Dog to dog lovers, to young readers curious about World War II, and to anyone studying Wisconsin history. It’s an excellent read-aloud and a valuable addition to both home and library collections. Best of all, it tells a true story that might otherwise have been forgotten—and now won’t be.