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  • No Ordinary Dog

  • My Partner from the SEAL Teams to the Bin Laden Raid
  • Written by: Will Chesney, Joe Layden
  • Narrated by: Will Chesney
  • Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (103 ratings)

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No Ordinary Dog cover art

No Ordinary Dog

Written by: Will Chesney, Joe Layden
Narrated by: Will Chesney
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Publisher's Summary

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 US 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

©2019 Will Chesney (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

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A sincere, serious and smile inducing tribute to Cairo - a great MWD.

Warning - review contains a spoiler. Loved that the audiobook was narrated by the author. He has a beautiful reading voice and sounds a bit like Kevin Costner. I also loved learning about his gruelling Seal training, learning about MWDs (military war dogs) and how people should never forget that they are attack dogs. No Ordinary Dog has a great mixture of sincerity, seriousness and humour. If not for the profanity I would have suggested it for teens to read. The language however is offensive at times, but always in a credible way given the setting. I believe there is a children’s version of this book which might edit out the profanity. I loved learning about Cairo and the role he played as a Seal team member. The last chapter had me bawling though so if you have ever lost a dog to cancer you might want to avoid the last chapter! It’s a heartbreaker. I don’t know how Will read it without breaking down. A wonderful tribute to his fur friend.

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THANK YOU BOTH

This was an amazing story and I’m so happy you could share it.
Keep his vest, it’s yours. He saved YOU. Its for you to hold when you are feeling dark.
Thank you

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Amazing

The bond between dog and handler is unbreakable, no matter what! Will's telling of his story made me understand more than ever what operators go through, and also what he went through with the added responsibility of having a dog by his side.

I shared his book with friends and they said they couldn't get through the last couple pages. One also was a handler overseas and his working dog turned service animal was more than just a dog, he was his companion through the worst times in his life, and the best.

Loved listening and also reading as I had the paperback first.

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Heartwarming

I loved everything about this book wish I could have met Cairo as well as Will. Their service and sacrifice to keep everyone safe will always be reminded in my household

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Amazing

Amazing story about amazing people and amazing dogs!!!! Start to finish, I was captivated by everything that these warriors endured.

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Thank you for sharing your story

Thank you for your service and thank you for sharing your story. A very enjoyable listen.

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One of the very best books I have in my collection

This is a very inspiring and in the end tragic portrait of a young man with a dream, and a dog that helped him through some challenging times.
All the best Will

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A life story that needed to be shared.

An amazing book detailing the relationship between dog and handler. Very much worth the read or listen.

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So uplifting!!!!!

This book makes one laugh, makes one cry and everything in between!!!! I had a very hard time turning it off. The relationship between Chesney and Cairo was a perfect mix between personal and professional. Cairo was the perfect dog. It is impossible not to love him with all your heart. He could be an example to humans for how to handle many situations in life. I absolutely loved him. And when he became ill and was dying, I cried the whole time!! And Chesney was the perfect companion. He showed over and over again the extraordinary things that seemingly ordinary people can do. Buy it. Listen to it. You will be glad you did!!!!!!

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Wholesome and heartwarming

I loved this book. I have so much respect and admiration for navy seals, they're truly the closest thing to superheros on earth. I have so much respect for brave men, women and dogs who put their lives on the line to preserve our freedom and values. Listening to Will tell his stories of buds training, combat, his relationship with Cairo and his journey after the military was both fascinating and heartwarming. If you're a dog person, prepare to cry a lot! ❤️

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