Tails of the Hill Country: The Story of an Incredible Fundraiser for US War Dogs
Some people run marathons for their favorite nonprofit or cause. Others might hold a bake sale or raffle. While these fundraising staples are always welcomed when it comes to supporting a preferred charity, this isn’t the route that retired US Air Force colonel Janet Deltuva, decided to take.
Janet’s fundraising efforts for US War Dogs are mammoth in scale and in aspiration and at their heart, is the story of one family’s unending love for two retired MWDs, both of whom benefitted from US War Dogs’ care.
Janet – who took up a career as a professional pet photographer after the retired from the Air Force – decided to use her talents to raise vital funds for US War Dogs’ mission by creating a beautiful coffee table book, featuring dog portraits across the Texas Hill Country.
We spoke to Janet to find out more about her plans for the book and her motivations for taking on such a huge project, in US War Dogs’ name.
Wings?
In 1990, Janet was working as a speech and language therapist when the Air Force recruited her to be a speech pathologist. “It was a skill set that was badly needed within the force. My first duty assignment was to Germany and as my husband is first generation German, it made perfect sense for us to go as a family.”
Joining the military for Janet was a curveball in her life plan but as she continued to do the job she loved and knew well, the experience of living the military life exposed her to what would become her first love: Military working dogs. “Everywhere I went, I saw MWDs and of course, as a huge dog lover, I was desperate to pet them, but was never allowed. The handlers always scolded me and said, ‘stay clear of the dog, ma’am!’
“Looking back, I so wish I had discovered dog handling when I was choosing my career. If I could choose a different path for myself, it would be K-9.”
Janet moved around various duty stations, including Lackland Air Force Base, Incirlick Air Base, Turkey, Air Staff at The Pentagon, before moving out to South Korea to become the hospital commander on base. “I didn’t realize it, but the medical group commander position gave me unique access to the K-9s, because the public health officers who worked for me were often qualified veterinarians before they arrive on active duty. I talked with the mission support commander, who oversaw the Security Forces and the K-9s, introducing the Public Health Officer/Veterinarian and said that if ever the K-9s ever needed anything, to give us a call.
“The closest military veterinarian was three hours north, so it was a real comfort for the handlers to know that the vet was so close by for a quick consult when needed. There were a lot of calls!”
Emzy
As Janet arrived in South Korea, there was a change of command within the Security Forces squadron commander and all the K-9s were in attendance. Janet recalls: “During the ceremony, when they gave the command “present arms”, the K-9s all barked. It was amazing. After the ceremony, I seized my opportunity. I was now one of six colonels on the base – a group commander, in fact – and today was going to my day to pet a K-9. The handler whose dog I approached scolded me, politely, reminding me of the rules, but fellow dog handler SSgt Sean Alexander, walked over with his dog.
“Sean explained that his dog’s name was Emzy and that she was retiring. I offered to adopt her immediately.”
After some administrative game play, Janet finally brought Emzy back to the US from South Korea to start her well-deserved retirement.
Janet and Emzy
“From the get-go, Emzy needed prescription medication to stay healthy. First it was $40 a month, then $60, then $100, as her health needs increased. Eventually, I found myself struggling to stay on top of the finances, so I called Ron Aiello at US War Dogs, to see if they could help.
“Ron told me I should have called years ago. It was a huge relief.”
Emzy was taking 12 pills a day when – at the age of 12, she refused to take them any longer. US War dogs covered the cost of Emzy’s diagnostics and treatment, but there was nothing more that could be done for her.
“She had lived a beautiful life with us, but this was her way of telling us that she’d had enough. She was retaining fluid and had heart failure, so we called out vet who came to the house to put her to sleep. War Dogs also covered the cost of Emzy’s dignified goodbye – they really were wonderful in those last days and weeks.”
Janet was completely heartbroken, having adopted Emzy giving her the chance to live a full life in retirement, the hole she left was a chasm. “I did what a lot of people do in those moments – share beloved pictures and memories on social media. I had already gotten into the pet photography business by this point, so I had some great shots of her.
“A lady reached out in response to one of my posts to tell me about another retiring MWD who was being considered for euthanasia, due to his aggression. I stepped up as a credible alternative to him being put to sleep and several phone calls and paper trails later, Ares was heading home to live with us.”
Ares
Janet recalls the imposing presence that Ares had. “He turned heads everywhere we went. Even the local police stopped at our home to play with his tug toy and have him catch the ball. Ares never missed. Ever.”
Head Turner: Ares featured in many portraits by Janet
When Ares was five, he had a soft black lump on his toe that looked like a tick. Janet removed it, as you would a tick, but it came back. “He had a melanoma which needed oncology attention. We sorted it and gladly paid the $3K for surgical care to remove the toe with the melanoma growth. The vet explained that this is a treatable cancer with an 85% or better cure rate with a shot. A very expensive shot. It was $850 per injection.
“Ares would need five shots in quick succession at that cost, followed by one every two months for a year, along with lymph node checks and an x-ray. Of course, as a war dog with vet aggression issues, he would need anaesthesia. And once again, US War Dogs was there for us. They arranged his care with Mission Vet & Specialty Hospital, who reached out to us to schedule his first appointment.
“The team at Mission Vet were amazing and worked with us to make sure Ares was comfortable, coming into their clinic. He knew the way to the vet’s office from home – that’s how often he would go. We started taking him for ‘happy visits’ too, so that everyone could feed him treats and cure any anxieties he had. It worked a charm!”
Janet and Ares
Janet described Ares as the ultimate war dog: “His whole retired life was spent chasing balls and tearing around – this is when he was at his happiest. When the cancer returned and was detected on his liver, his day-to-day quality of life started to decline and we had to take the unthinkable decision to have him put to sleep in October 2021.
“After all the treatment he had received before we had called it and decided it was time to say goodbye, I held my breath as I moved to the desk to settle Ares’ bill, but US War Dogs had already covered everything.”
Moved to Action
Janet had already been moved to begin fundraising for US War Dogs, on the back of the support the organization had provided to Emzy, throughout her retirement. “I came up with the idea of creating a beautiful book that featured dog portraits, captured with the majestic backdrop of the Alamo City. The idea was to sell spaces in the book with my doggy photo shoot packages and self-publish, with all proceeds going straight to US War dogs.
“I finished the book just as Ares passed, so it was very poignant that I had once again become the beneficiary of the organization’s care, at a time when I was hopefully about to raise some decent money for them.”
Tails of Alamo City raised $8,000 for US War Dogs in 2021, but Janet was not done with the format and had high hopes to raise even more money. “I was still so deeply moved by how wonderful US War Dogs had been through Ares’ treatment and passing, that I was determined to push on with efforts to raise money for them, in the best way I knew how.
“I devised a new book idea – Tails of the Hill Country- A Dogs’ Adventure Guide – and designed a series of sponsorship packages to encourage local businesses to pay to have their destination – be it a shop, restaurant, hotel, amenity of some kind – featured in the book. The idea was well formed in my mind, and then I met a very special dog who caused me to level up even further.”
Heroic Muse
While Janet was busy working on her next book project, an opportunity came up for her to be involved in a very special project. “Having met the team at US War Dogs a few times, they knew my skills as a photographer, so when team from PDSA in the UK reached out about Bass receiving the world-renowned Dickin Medal, they contacted me to see if I would be happy to capture his official medal portraits.”
Bass is the 75th recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal
Janet met Bass and his owner, former handler and volunteer board member at US War Dogs, Alex Schnell. “You don’t forget a face like Bass’s. He is such a strikingly handsome and friendly boy that I was instantly smitten. And of course, learning about the actions that had led to his being awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, I was completely in awe of him.
“I decided to dedicate my book to Bass – for his heroism and for the symbol of skill and devotion he has become for the entire MWD community.”
Meeting Bass motivated Janet to make the book project even bigger. “The only reason I am doing this crazy ass project is because of Bass. I decided that I would work really hard to sell sponsorship packages, doggy photo shoots and then books, with the aim of raising $100,000 for US War Dogs.”
Alex and Janet kept in close touch after that first meeting over the Dickin Medal, and when Bass became seriously unwell, Alex offered Janet the chance to visit him. “He was having a good day and I had taken toys for him and his Vizsla brother, Rudy. I was rolling the ball to him and he was so sweet.
“As I was leaving, I remembered an idea written by Garth Stein in his book, The Art of Racing in the Rain, where he explains that the dog’s dew claws become the thumbs they could have always used when they go to heaven. As I was leaving, I asked Bass to give Ares and Emzy a thumbs-up for me. That’s how I said goodbye to Bass.”
Tails of the Hill Country
Janet’s incredible efforts over the last two years are coming to fruition and the book was released for pre-sale at a special event on K-9 Veterans Day.
The project, which has taken on a life of its own since Janet launched the effort in 2022, is also being supported by a team of three fellow pet photographers, who each have their own business and who are offering their services to create the beautiful content for the book. “I am so lucky to have these ladies along with me for the ride. Their work is stunningly beautiful, and four pairs of hands is definitely better than one for getting out there to take the shots.”
Bass features on the front cover of Janet’s book, Tails from the Hill Country
The book itself will be available in the fall, making for the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas present, but Janet explains that there are still a number of ways that people can get involved to support the project:
“We still have spots to fill so if anyone has a dog and they live near the Hill Country, they have a chance to be featured. Likewise, if anyone runs a business in the Hill Country, we could feature your establishment or service in the book, which would help to raise money. Finally – and probably the simplest way to support – is to pre-order the book today!”
Humbled
Chris Willingham, president of US War Dogs, said: “As Janet continues to push hard and volunteer her time without taking a dime for herself, I am absolutely blown away by her tenacity, drive and determination – fueled by the loss of her two beloved retired MWDs and the sense of awe she felt after meeting US Marine Corps Special Operations Command multi purpose canine (MPC) Bass.
“It is truly humbling to witness someone act so selflessly for the furtherance of our mission – having known and understood on a personal level – what it means to receive our support. We will always work as hard as we can for this community and when we receive thanks in such an incredible way, hits us all in the feels. From all of us at US War Dogs, thank you, Janet – K-9 leads the way!”
Click here preview Tails of the Hill Country
Purchase the book here: Purchase book and Coin
