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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 (96 ratings)

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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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What listeners say about No Ordinary Dog

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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

1 person found this helpful

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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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Loved it!

Beautiful story of hard work and love. I would recommend to anyone with military interest and especially dog lovers.

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An Incredible Book

It’s hard to put into words the emotion this book possesses. It may not be the most scholarly book, nor the most prestigious, but my god, it may just be the most impactful, especially for a dog lover like myself.

An Incredible story with great detail throughout, I would encourage anyone who happens to come across this book to read or listen. Easily one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to, and if I’m honest, probably my favourite.

Highly recommend.

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The Goodest of Boys

An excellent story about one of the least understood but openly acknowledged capabilities in modern conflicts. The world would be a better place if we told more stories about our canines. They deserve all the praise the world can give.

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Amazing.

Have you seen Dances with Wolves? The parts narrated by Costner? This whole book sounds like that. It's a phenomenal story.

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  • Sheri B.
  • 2020-04-24

A Beautiful Tribute for an Extraordinary Dog

I am a dog person and I value the sacrifice of our military men and women. This true story of the relationship between a man and his dog in military service and beyond is heroic, heartwarming and poignantly told. Amazing. I wish I could have met Cairo.

23 people found this helpful

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  • Patricia K. Short
  • 2020-05-11

A MUST LISTEN/READ

THIS BOOK BROUGHT ME TO TEARS AND I DO NOT CRY. I AM AN ER NURSE SO I WORK, I SEE BAD STUFF, AND I MOVE ON. THE PTSD INFORMATION AT THE END OF THE BOOK WAS A GREAT WAY TO END THE BOOK. I AM A HUGE DOG LOVER HAVING TWO LITTLE AND TWO BIG AT HOME. TWO ARE RESCUES. TO ME THERE IS NO BAD DOG, JUST IMPATIENT DOG PARENTS. THANK YOU WILL FOR HONORING CAIRO AND ALL OUR MILITARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND KEEPING OUR COUNTRY SAFE. GOD BLESS YOU.

14 people found this helpful

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  • Krista
  • 2020-05-03

No matter your job history, an incredible tale of an outstanding MWD

I loved that Will narrated this for audible. I don’t know you, didn’t know Cairo, but have the honor of working a PSD and you tell his story beautifully, so much so that it hits the heart. An outstanding tribute to a phenomenal dog from his dad.

14 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-05-06

Cairo

This is an amazing novel! I am an animal lover and could feel his pain, thanks to both you Will and Cairo for your service. Thank you for telling your story and Cairo’s. He definitely was no ordinary dog!💕

12 people found this helpful

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  • Benjamin Rodriguez
  • 2020-04-30

no ordinary dog

excellent listening .wow that was great .god bless you and all in the armed forces. it will be a great movie if that time comes

12 people found this helpful

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  • Cinshep
  • 2020-04-29

Takes a long time to get to anything about the dog

I thought this would be more about the dogs. I didn't listen all the way through because I was bored of the stories of the author going through boot camp. Nothing much about the dogs 2 hours in.

12 people found this helpful

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  • Sharon
  • 2020-05-04

Given to me by my Son for Mother's Day

I can't say enough about this book. From the narration to the story, it keeps your attention and your emotions enthralled from beginning to end. I am a blind woman with my third Seeing Eye Guide Dog...I am no stranger to the amazing loyalty, work, and the pain of loss of your heart companion. My sons have both served with honor in the Navy. You can imagine my anticipation when my son, Jack, gave me this book, and he insisted he needed to give it to me early for Mother‘s Day. This book was written from the heart, soul and mind of someone who loved his dog, respected his dog's purpose, and who remains throughout torn between the two worlds of being "Dad" for Cairo and the Navy SEAL handler of a ferocious military weapon. This is a tremendous reading experience...truthful, painful, joyful and just "real" I think Will telling the story of his dedication and determination to become a Navy SEAL makes the story even more poignant. Thanks Will for your sharing of this personal and revealing piece of your life. From a proud Navy mom, I want to not only thank you for your service, but also for the service of your gone but never forgotten canine partner, Cairo!

11 people found this helpful

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  • Jean
  • 2020-05-28

Excellent

This is a memoir of Will Chesney and Cairo. Chesney tells about joining the Navy right out of high school. He goes into depth about his SEALs’ training and deployments. The author provides a brief history of the dogs in the SEALs. I had no idea the training for the dogs to be in the SEALs is as difficult as it is for the men and also had a high wash-out rate.

The book is well written and was difficult to put down. The story is mostly about the relationship between Chesney and Cairo. There is very little violence and no foul language. I found the book quite interesting. If you are interested in military dogs read this book.

The book is nine hours and forty-four minutes. Will Chesney does a good job narrating his own book.

7 people found this helpful

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  • Kevin
  • 2020-05-07

What a great story and amazing dog!

I really enjoyed the story of Cairo and his handler Will. I laughed, I cried, I felt like I knew them. The story is warm, intense at times and oozing with love and honor for Cairo. Highly recommend!

6 people found this helpful

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  • Anthony Sottung
  • 2020-04-29

Amazing. Heartfelt. Heroes.

The story of the making of two heroes. Thank you both for your service. Heroes.

6 people found this helpful