Scavenger Hunt Stop #22

Welcome to the 2013 Summer Scavenger Hunt! This hunt (which begins at noon Mountain Daylight Time and not before) has 32 stops and runs May 17 through May , 2013. You can make the loop, reading unique content from 31 different authors, and if you complete the loop, and fill out the Rafflecopter form at Stop #32, you’ll be in the running for an iPad Mini (loaded with all our books), or one of two runner-up prizes—all 31 of our new releases in paperback. In addition, some authors are offering additional prizes, so be sure to read each post thoroughly to be in the running for all that are available. The contest is open internationally.

If you’ve JUST discovered the hunt, I recommend you begin at the beginning, Stop #1, found at LisaBergren.com. But you can also begin here, and keep on rolling. Just be aware that you have to have the COMPLETED phrase in order, which you construct gathering the clue at each stop, within 24 hours of email notification from Lisa Bergren that you won. If Lisa doesn’t hear back from you with the correct phrase within the time limit, she will move on to the next winner Rafflecopter draws. Ready? Here we go…

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Ronie  Kendig

It’s my privilege to host Ronie Kendig, known for her Rapid-Fire Fiction! Here’s the official 4-1-1 on Ronie:

Ronie is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, an Army veteran. Her life is never dull in a family with four children and two dogs. She has a degree in psychology, speaks to various groups, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and mentors new writers. Rapid-Fire Fiction, her brand, is exemplified through her novels: Dead Reckoning, the Discarded Heroes military series, which includes Christy Award winning Wolfsbane, and her new A Breed Apart series about military working dogs.

And now here is some great information about those military working dogs.

Ten Amazing Military War Dog Facts
by Ronie Kendig

1. HISTORY – history is replete with canine warriors. One of the most famous war dogs was Sergeant Stubby, a pit bull stray who became the mascot of the 102^nd Infantry. War dogs were used in Vietnam, and currently, there are over 2,700 war dogs deployed.

2. BOUNTY – the dogs have been so effective in detecting one of the deadliest tools of terrorists—IEDs—that the dogs often end up with a bounty, and as one Taliban told a Discovery reporter, they were ordered to shoot the war dogs first.

3. SPECIALITIES – It shouldn’t surprise us, but there are many specialties within the working dog theater. They include explosives detection, narcotics detection, combat tracking, and many, many other areas.

4. RANK – the military working dogs are ranked one level higher than their handler. From the Army.mil site: “Every military working dog is an NCO – in tradition at least. Some say the custom was to prevent handlers from mistreating their dogs; hence, a dog is always one rank higher than its handler. “ The rank is not officially recognized by the military, and the heroic MWDS can’t earn medals (technically), and they are still (thanks to Senator McCain) classified as equipment, rather than personnel (thanks to Senator McCain who blocked this change).

5. PROCUREMENT – Lackland AFB in San Antonio has a breeding program, using their top MWDs. Then, foster families raise the puppies until they are old enough to be assessed for readiness. Not all dogs bred in the program become MWDs. Dogs are also acquired both domestically and internationally from breeders.

6. BREED – The most common breeds among the MWDs are Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, German Shepherds, and retrievers, though there is no limitation on the breed as long as the dog has the health and drive.

7. TRAINING –  Using classical condition, MWD training is based on positive reward or feedback. The training varies by specialty. For example: “The Specialized Search Dog Course is a 93-day program that trains students and dogs together. Seventy-six days are conducted at Lackland AFB, and the other 17 days are at Yuma, Ariz.” (Army.mil)

8.  BOND – the handlers and their dogs develop a very unique and strong bond through their training and experiences. In the back of TRINITY: MILITARY WAR DOG is the story of Sgt. Eglin Shaw and MWD Max. When Shaw was knocked unconscious at one point, MWD Max would not allow anyone near Shaw. Max believed it was his duty to protect Shaw, and until his handler gave the command, he wasn’t standing down!

9. VETERINARY CARE – Lackland AFB has its own Veterinary Flight Hospital that care for the 800 dogs trained and raised there. Also, each handler is trained with basic skills to care for their MWD, including knowing how to insert and IV and stabilize an injured dog.

10. ADOPTION! – In 2000, President Clinton signed the Robby Law into effect. This allows MWDs to be adopted (pending a positive exit evaluation) out to civilian homes/lives, rather than putting the dog down after their heroic careers. You can fill out an application (http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/news.html) to get on the wait list, which is 12-18 mos long.

[Robin here again.] Wasn’t that fascinating? I love dogs and I love to know more about the wonderful canine’s who serve in and with our military!

Ronie’s latest release is Talon: Combat Tracking Team. Aspen Courtland’s on a mission to find her missing brother. Only Dane Markoski’s combat tracking dog knows where to look. . . . It is available at bookstores or online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, and elsewhere.

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And now, your next steps…

Write down this clue: They

Have it written down? Great! Now head on over to Ronie Kendig’s blog, Stop #23, for the next clue! Thanks for stopping by! Wait! Before you go, take a moment to enter the bonus giveaway below.

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BONUS GIVEAWAY

International entries are eligible to win in this bonus drawing. Please read the Terms and Conditions in the Rafflecopter form for more information. And please share this link with your friends who may not have tried one of my novels before.

Good luck in both the scavenger hunt and in my bonus drawing.

Prizes:

• One copy of A Bride for All Seasons when it releases in June to one lucky winner.
• One complete set of the Coming to America Series (4 books) to a second lucky winner.

Bonus Drawing Instructions:

1) Leave a comment on this blog (required) — 1 chance

2) Like my Facebook Page (or click the I’m a Fan to confirm you already like it) — 1 additional chance

3) Tweet this message  — up to 3 additional chances if you do it daily
Can’t wait to read A Bride for All Seasons by @robinleehatcher (and others). #Bride4All @thomasnelson

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