No Ordinary Dog is the powerful true story of a SEAL Team Operator and military dog handler, and the dog that saved his life.
This program is read by the author.
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 DEVGRU 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.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press
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“Cairo was the only dog chosen to be with us that night in Abbottabad, Pakistan, but that is not the only time we served with him. I personally fought next to Cairo in many different theaters of war but also trained with him around the globe…Military Working Dogs have been on the front lines since the wars began and have saved countless lives. This is Cairo’s story.”
— Robert J. O’Neill, former Navy SEAL and author of The Operator
“Offers an inside look at life in the Special Forces and pays tribute to his canine partner Cairo in this heartfelt debut…Touching on the power of the human-animal bond, the effects of PTSD, and the legacy of the ‘war on terror,’ this earnest account delivers many memorable moments. Dog lovers and fans of military history will be enthralled.”
— Publishers Weekly“An outstanding book that captured me through to the end.”
— Mike Thornton, retired Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipientWill Chesney served in the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group as an operator and dog handler. He participated in Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. He received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart and now helps veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injury.
Joe Layden is an award-winning journalist and writer. His books include the New York Times bestseller As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride.
Joe Layden is an award-winning journalist and author who has written more than thirty books, including several New York Times bestsellers.