Old relics or big guns?

The Animals War exhibition was launched to pay tribute to the part played by many animals during times of war, now into it's seventh month, currently housed at the imposing Imperial War museum in London. The exhibition team invited two of it's living relics to spend some days sharing their story with the visitors during the schools half term last week. Both Endal renowned for his care, in the aftermath of war ,of his human partner Royal Navy Gulf war veteran Allen Parton, enthralled the visitors young and old with their story about their personal journey together over the last ten years.

Allen said "I never know if it is something that we should boast about..being an actual museum relics.. but personally to see Endal's major role in my rehabilitation recognised in this way is very very emotional". he added "The exhibition also tells the story of animals that have lost their lives in the service of mankind so to be part of such a prestigious exhibition is such an honour"

It was very reminiscent of the Christmas scene where the children end up having more enjoyment playing with the box then the actual gift inside. Endal was such a massive attraction, despite the huge collection of military hardware and hands on displays in the museum. It was so heart warming to see Endal so alive with the children and the grown up visitors, his gentle nature just shone through. He certainly made a many new friends and won a lot of hearts during his time at the museum

"Sadly with the media recently reporting only the negative aspect of dogs, it was nice to be doing something that promotes the dog in our lives and at the same time remind folk of what scarifies dogs and animals have made for man over the years" said Allen ..he added "Endal truly is such a great ambassador for the canine world".
Children that initially had a fear of dogs were after a very short time sat cuddling Endal ...which is so heart warming to see".

Allen confessed "that on our second day we were a little tired because our London hotel was positioned between a fire , Police and ambulance station. During the night various sirens would sound to which Endal alerted me too with such enthusiasm. By four o'clock in the morning and the twentieth awaking by my faithful hound.. I could only but laugh at the situation. Endal after each alert went quickly settled back to sleep but not so in my case. Though I was a little tired on the last day... Endal seemed to draw on en endless supply of energy to wow his audience as is the norm and this kept me going too.

In conjunction with the AW exhibition a children's book has been published and the author Isabel George PDSA press relations office, a familiar face at Crufts each year also attended and read chapters to a spell bound audience (Allen and Endal included) and she also signed copies of the book that were on sale in the museum book shop

The Animals' War Exhibition runs until April 22, 2007 in London, after which it will transfer to IWM North in Manchester in summer 2007. Adults £6.00, concessions £5.00, children and groups £4.00, family ticket £18.00.
For General Enquiries Tel: 020 7416 5320/1 or visit www.iwm.org.uk/animals


luv

Allen and Endal