Odds and Ends From The MUSEUM!
This is the story of Honey, The War Dog. Honey was the pet husky/shepherd dog of Miss Marian Harris of Millinocket and Caribou. This story took place over the span of a few months in 1945 near the end of WWII. The source is from letters to Marian’s mother Mrs. A.I. Harris and the group “Give Dogs and Dollars, Dogs for Defense.” The gist of these letters follows.
Feb. 1, 1945 Thank you for your letter offering your part shepherd-husky dog. The dog must stand at least 23 inches, weigh 55 pounds and be between 14 months & 3 1/2years. Fill out the questionnaire and send a snapshot. We will see what can be done, whether it be for an Army dog, sled dog or just what.
March 28, 1945 We are shipping you an empty dog crate today. The shipping address was given and the reminder to fill out four enrollment forms.
April 2, 1945 Your dog arrived in good condition.
April 4, 1945 Honey arrived safely at the kennels in Dedham. If he passes inspection, he will be shipped to Maryland and trained for the Coast Guard. You will not hear more if he passes, only if anything happens to him.
Then between April 9 and 12 there are letters explaining there was a mix-up and Honey was thought to have belonged to a man in NH and a German shepherd Barry/Baron was credited to Harris. It did get sorted out and they blamed an attendant at the kennels. Many more forms were sent to Mrs. Harris to fill out. She also received an official “Dogs for Defense” sticker for her house or car.
June 4, 1945, Mrs. Harris received a letter stating that Honey had completed basic training and was placed in “advanced work. He is in fine spirit and shows indications of making a good war dog. Due to military regulations, no more information can be divulged at this time relative to his activities.”
July 2, 1945, A letter stated there was still confusion about Honey’s ownership. Also, that Honey would be returned “as he cannot stand up under heavy shell fire. I am sorry that a mistake was made at the kennels from which we ship the dogs is still causing confusion.”
July 23, 1945, Mrs. Harris had sent a letter saying Honey had not arrived home and she should write to someone else asking what happened to Honey.
July 30, 1945, Mrs. Harris received a letter stating Honey had been shipped by Railway Express (7/30/1945), that he had been discharged from the service and his papers would be forwarded.
August 2, 1945, Various letters received by Mrs. Harris came from numerous sources. The final one thanked Mrs. Harris for letting Dogs for Defense know that Honey had arrived home safely and in good condition.
The museum recently received these letters, certificates and a telegram all relating to the adventures of Honey, the War Dog. The letters are a small portion of the materials received from Marian Harris’s son (R. Comstock) about the family’s Millinocket history. All documents have been placed in the museum’s Research-Genealogy room.
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