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Bhakta Emir, the War Hero by Mitravinda dasi Posted April 11, 2012 Out of millions of dogs that take birth, only the rare dog is destined to become a military working dog, trained in the service of a human military. Out of thousands of military working dogs, even more rare is the highly trained canine that ends up rescued, taking shelter of Krsna’s devotees. One such fortunate soul is Bhakta Emir. He may just be a dog, but he is credited with saving over a thousand human lives during his six-year career in the United States Air Force. Having survived four deployments to Iraq as a bomb-sniffing dog, he is a living, breathing animal that no technology can duplicate. How is it that Bhakta Emir landed his retirement, honoring prasadam and hearing the Holy Name? Bhakta Emir needs votes from animal lovers everywhere in his new devotee community. He is the first war-dog devotee to ever be nominated in the Hero Dog Awards, sponsored by the American Humane Association. Emir is a true here, not only because of his military duties but because he brings the mission of Lord Chaitanya into a culture that otherwise would never know. This is how it all began. Before I knew Bhakta Emir, several years ago while I myself was still on active duty in the United States Army, I received a phone call from a friend. It was an emergency situation: one of the military dogs was to be euthanized. Why would the military put down its own? I learned really fast the injustice of the military to war animals; in the end they are "equipment." I learned what the dogs are trained to do. Saving countless human lives, these animals spend their entire lives performing the greatest of military heroics time and time again, until they break and are thereafter useless to the armed forces, thrown to the curb, often euthanized for no other reason than that they are taking up valuable kennel space. The history and details are too extensive to mention in this article alone. That first dog, who had been named Billy, I would come to call Bali. The day I picked him up I questioned myself: what did I just agree to do? Was this a mistake? Oh Krishna, this is going to be very difficult. There was no way I was going to let Billy be euthanized, but was I qualified to care for a police dog, a combat-trained animal — in essence, a weapon that I had no clue how to handle? The second day I began training with local police to learn everything I needed to know to become a qualified canine handler. Today I organize "war dog rescue" and am qualified as a handler. I strongly discourage anybody from taking up this task without training. These dogs must be carefully placed; they are not pets; these dogs are weapons. Such weapons can only be placed in the hands of responsible Kshatriyas. Military, police, firefighters and emergency-medical-response paramedics are the only people I consider as adoptive homes. The dogs are not suited to being around small children, and 6-foot to 7-foot (1.8m to 2.1m) solid fences around backyards are needed. The day I took this beast, Bali, to my home, I wondered what to do next. His body was badly burned from a bomb explosion, an improvised explosive device (IED), in 2005. Shrapnel was embedded in his shoulder, and he had a back injury where he could hardly use his hindquarters. Running my fingers through his fur, I could feel scar after scar across his body. The first time I looked into his eyes, I saw a warrior, a fallen Kshatriya. What must have happened for this soul to land in the body of a dog? What struck me as most odd at first was this dog’s high level of discipline and self-control. If I gave a command, he immediately followed the instruction and could follow up to five commands in the order they were given. Was this a dog? I had to get this animal back to some sort of health; his first meal was prasadam. Bali would spend the next two years honoring daily prasadam, hearing the Holy Name and drinking Ganga Jal. Bali eventually left his body two years later, in deep ecstatic pleasure of hearing the Holy Name. I was receiving from every animal rescue organization imaginable. I cannot save every animal in the world. There is only one animal I can help: the broken war dog. They come for rehabilitation; my entire home eventually was remodelled to accommodate the broken war dogs that came — a shelter suited for their particular needs. At the same time this home also houses Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaurachandra, so it requires great efforts to keep up a Vaishnava standard and continue a clean environment that is suited for sadhana. The retired military working dogs are by no means idle. I keep them employed working in a new field: the treatment and healing of soldiers returning from combat. These animals continue to serve their human comrades. Bhakta Emir leads the way in his attendance at programs for veterans groups and on visits to military installations. Every presentation that he and I attend or facilitate starts with my description of the battle of Kurukshetra. The Kshatriya today, who is filled with pain from war injuries, physical and mental, knows that we are not these bodies, and that freedom from doubt or guilt can be found in the Bhagavad-gita. Bhakta Emir is my preaching buddy, an example of how we are not these bodies but spirit souls. Such a fortunate soul is Emir, to be able to get this chance! Please vote for Bhakta Emir, the war hero. Bhakta Emir is one of 18 nominees in the third annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards in the Military Working Dog category. Out of almost a hundred dogs nominated for the various Hero Dog Awards — all types of canine heroes from guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, police dogs and military dogs — only Bhakta Emir is the prasadam-eating hero-devotee who helps to preach the Bhagavad-gita to soldiers.
The event is a fundraiser for the American Humane Association and associated charities, and Bhakta Emir needs our votes to win. Another page has a biography of Emir, formally known as military working dog (MWD) Emir H323. If you go to this page, there is a blue box on the right side of the web page that is entitled "Vote for MWD Emir H323 !" Click on that box to cast your vote. You will be asked to enter your e-mail address and to answer a simple arithmetic question designed to prove you are not a robot. You can cast one vote per day per e-mail account at this site.
Jai Govinda! The March 2012 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 22 pages (2 MB) we present reports on: 1. The one-month Gau Yatra which began in Vrindavan... 6,000 people strong. 2. The horrors of pasturized milk. 3. How protecting cows is necessary for successful life. 4. How Aussies celebrate Makara Sankranti. 5. The unfortunate departure of Radhika, our most popular Neel Gai. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant,
May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Care for Cows February 2012 by Kurma Rupa dasa Posted February 9, 2012 The February 2012 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 32 pages (2.8 MB) we present reports on: 1. The surprising positive effect go-seva has had on a physically handicapped boy. 2. How a group effort to save an injured abandoned bull made a difference. 3. How enthusiasm and determination can help one overcome limitations. 4. Three calves born this month. 5. The wonderful international visitors we had this month. 6. Another excerpt from the famous Kalyana Kalpataru Volume IX February 1945.
Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you
experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow
protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Jai Govinda! The December 2011 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 38 pages (3.6 MB) we present reports on: 1. The celebration of Gopastami at our Kiki Nagla facility. 2. The progress of our new cowshed at Kiki Nagla. 3. A rescue attempt of an injured calf. 4. The visits of notable guests like Chaitanya Swami, Wenda Shehata and Dr. Tim Couzens. 5. A book authored by an American author who appreciated how keeping cows brings prosperity. 6. The glories of cows as perceived by people in India. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant, May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Krishna in Foreign Countries by Kasya das Posted November 27, 2011 There is always great need to spread devotion to Lord Sri Krsna outside of India, because there is a great scarcity of it in the West. Do you want to be part of it? Do you want to help it? This is the opportunity for you. You can help grow Krishna bhakti in the heart of Europe, in Czech Republic. Whether your gift is big or small, then all the blessing of Sri Sri Radha Krsna, and Srila Prabhupada be with you. Please see these links for more information:
harekrsnatemple.x10.mx/index.html
The November 2011 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 26 pages (2.6 MB) we present reports on: 1. The celebration of Sri Govardhana Puja at our Kiki Nagla facility. 2. A rescue attempt of an injured cow and her calf. 3. Recent developments at our Belvan facility. 4. The appearance of Krsna and Balarama--two male calves born on the same day.
Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you
experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow
protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
The October 2011 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 20 pages (1.8 MB) we present reports on: 1. A recent visit paid to Care for Cows by Satish Kumar, President of Gau Raksha Dal Punjab. 2. The birth of three Neel Gai born to Draupadi and Radhika. They have been named Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. 3. News around the goshalla to include the graduation of two bulls born here; Sura Dasi's sixth calf; Adi Deva's third birthday; and a pure-bred Gir bull gifted to us.. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal! May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Spiritual Puzzles for Devotees by Jagadvira das, ISKCON Japan Posted June 30, 2011
Welcome to the wonderful world of Krishna's Crosswords, where every crossword is full of transcendental clues and answers. Most of the words are from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-Caritamrita, Krishna Book and other books, as well as letters and diaries by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. A few of the words are from other books by different devotees. No matter what your age or position, we are sure that you will find these transcendental crosswords spiritually rewarding and we hope that they will help you get free from birth, death, old age and disease. Please chant Hare Krishna and be happy.
A new crossword is now available (No. 8, "Chant"). Please visit our site at krishnas-crosswords.webeden.co.uk.
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Care for Cows April 2012 by Kurma Rupa dasa Posted April 12, 2012 The April 2012 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 32 pages (2.5 MB) we present reports on: 1. The arrival of a beautiful one-year-old dwarf cow. 2. A daring and heroic rescue of an abandoned bull calf. 3. The surprising transformation of a bull fighter. 4. The three-month attempt to save an injured bull calf. 5. The sixteen calves decorating our goshalla. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant, “May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Lord Sri Caitanya bestow His causeless mercy upon us. His smiling glance at once drives away all the bereavements of the world, and His very words enliven the auspicious creepers of devotion by expanding their leaves. Taking shelter of His lotus feet invokes transcendental love of God at once.” (Cc. Adi 3.63) To help all of Srila Prabhupada's followers find shelter at Lord Caitanya's lotus feet, the BBT's ebook team has uploaded today the entire English Sri Caitanya-caritamrta at www.bbtmedia.com. Please visit us to receive your free ebooks.
Your servants at bbtmedia.com
On behalf of the BBT, the Bhakti Writer Community is sponsoring a poetry competition. Submit a poem by March 7 to win an Amazon.com gift card. The great golden dancer, Lord Chaitanya and his brother Lord Nityananda are sublime subjects for poetry and prose. Let's celebrate their upcoming appearance days by publishing poetry in their praise. The first place winner will receive a 25 dollar gift card to Amazon.com.
All participants' poetry will be published on the site and the first three winners will be published on the front page of our e-newsletter.
Go to writers.bbt.info to learn more.
Jai Govinda! The January 2012 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 22 pages (2.2 MB) we present reports on: 1. Basu Ghosh's visit to the Bansi Gir Goshalla in Amedhabad, Gujarat. 2. The four new residents admitted this month. 3. A study which demonstrates that cows select best friends. 4. The practical ways to determine if and when your cow is in heat. 5. An excerpt from the famous Kalyana Kalpataru Volume IX February 1945. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant, A couple of devotees have submitted a movie proposal to "makemymovie.co.nz" contest with some interesting Vedic themes in an otherwise commercial storyline. They need to drum up some social media support which count as votes! Nov 11th being the last day. So dear devotees, well wishers and friends, kindly click on this link and press the "Like" button there, which is then counted as a vote!
Click Here
From the Congregational Development Ministry, we thank you for your continuous support. We are very happy to inform you that we have e-Books available on our website at www.iskconcongregation.com/ebooks. The following titles are on hand : Sri Godruma Kalpatavi, Free to Preach, The Nectar of Congregational Preaching and Super Sunday. We would appreciate if you could share this information with other devotees in your Yatra.
Please to contact us for any questions or suggestions you may have.
I inform you that if you want to relish the
pastimes of the Lord freely, you can listen to them on the prabhupadavani.org website.
The following stories are made available by Amal Bhakta prabhu: Caitanya-Caritamrta,
Lord Caitanya conquers the Kazi, Lord Caitanya appears as Lord Krsna, The appearance of Lord Krsna, Appearance of Lord Jagannatha, Trials and Triumphs of Haridas Thakhura, Jagai and Madhai
redeemed, Let
there be a temple (Prabhupada Lilamrta), A
Second Chance (the story of Ajamila). Do not miss this
opportunity.
The September 2011 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 20 pages (1.5 MB) we present reports on: 1. A developing goshalla on the Delhi-Agra Highway in Chaumuha headed by Vaisnava Caran Dasa and Yudhisthira Gaur who plan to advance cow protection in Vraja Mandala. 2. How statements in the Bhagavad-Gita are manifesting in this day and age regarding unbenificial and horrible works. 3. A health ordeal tolerated by our seven-year-old Gambhira upon giving birth to her second calf. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant,
May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Vishnujana Swami Website by Adi Purusa das Posted June 26, 2011 We are pleased to announce a new website dedicated to Vishnujana Swami... www.vishnujanaswami.com The Vishnujana Swami Website is overflowing with nectar, including pastimes, kirtans/bhajans, photos and memories. Once again, the radiance of this transcendental personality blissfully shines; as Vishnujana Swami forever enchants and inspires the hearts of the devotees.
Also, Radha-Damodara Vilasa Volume II, the biographical of Vishnujana Swami, has just been released by Vaiyasaki das, and is now available...
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Chakra is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.