Cassie, with her drooping ears, was quick and clever
Her brother, Walt was playful and friendly...
The pair was inseparable and would disappear for day at a time to explore the countryside, much to anton's displeasur
But Anton knew that they would always come
Their true calling became clear one bay in the fall of 1913...
One year before start of the war.
That afternoon, a group of German soldiers had decided to cool off in a nearby river.
But the youngest one was surprised by the strength of the current.
Walt sprang into action
Walt paddled desperately, struggling against the river that threatened to pull him under.
Cassie, sensing the urgency, bounded off across the fields to get help back at the farm.
Walt managed to pull the drowning sodier to shore while the others looked on in amazement.
By the way cassie was barking. Anton knew right away that something was wrong.
In a stroke of Luck, Dr. Hans Weiss was paying his friend a visit...
He raced toward the lifeless boby on the river bank, knowing he had little time.
Happily, the dogs' quick thinking had saved the young soldier's life.
A commanding officer had witnessed the entire scene and was amazed by the dogs' heroism.
He decided to make Anton an offer on the spot.
Hans, meanwhile, was getting to know his two new friends.
A few day later, a military truck pulled up to the farm.
German Training Camp, Belgian border, 1914
Soon, Walt and Cassie were surrounded by man in uniform.
They began their training in earnest.
Day after day , more and more men and dogs arrived. the gods were as nevous and excited as the inexperienced soldiers.
War was Here!
Back in Cologne, Hans, like so many others, was drafted into the Infantry...
and herded off to the front to treat the first casualties of war.
The journey was long and exhausting, and fear hung heavily in the air.
When Hans finally arrived at the camp, a surprise was waiting for him.