Michigan War Dog Memorial

06/03/2026

ATTENTION BOURBON LOVERS & K-9 SUPPORTERS! 🥃🐾
We have an incredible, exclusive opportunity you do not want to miss! The Michigan War Dog Memorial is hosting a special Bourbon Barrel Pick Fundraiser, and tickets are still available—but time is running out!
Imagine being part of the select crew that helps choose our very own custom bourbon profile. The specific, winning bourbon selected by attendees during the tasting will be placed into a beautiful Michigan War Dog Memorial bottle that features both a customized label and custom etching—all finished off with a stunning eagle topper!
Not only will you get to participate in a fantastic night of tasting, but you’ll also be directly supporting our K-9 heroes.
📅 When & How it Works:
The Tasting Event: Friday, June 12th from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Grab your ticket on Eventbrite and join us for an unforgettable evening at Shankar Distillers in Troy. You'll enjoy a distillery tour, dinner, a welcome cocktail, and—most importantly—tasting right from the barrel to select our winning bourbon!
The Pickup: Good things take time! Once our custom-selected bourbon is properly aged, bottled, and ready, you’ll be able to pick up your limited-edition custom-labeled, etched bottle with its eagle topper at a later date from Benstein Liquor in Commerce.
📍 Location Details:
Bourbon Tasting Event:
Shankar Distillers
1030 Chicago Road, Troy, MI 48083
Bottle Pickup Location (At a Later Date):
Benstein Liquor
1050 Benstein Rd, Commerce Township, MI 48390
🎟️ Secure Your Spot Today!
Spaces are limited to just 100 guests, and you must have a ticket to participate in the barrel selection. Click the link below to get your tickets before they sell out!
👉 Buy Tickets on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/120540551431
Help us honor the memory and service of our military and police war dogs, one pour at a time. See you there! 🐾❤️

06/03/2026

🎖A hero among us: The legacy of K9 Yoube🐾🚔

Today, the Michigan War Dog Memorial honors an exceptional hero whose journey defined resilience, redemption, and a life dedicated to second chances. K-9 Yoube, born on July 7, 2013, initially served the Chattanooga Police Department as an elite Narcotics Detection K-9. Throughout her remarkable law enforcement career, she worked on the Highway Interdiction Team (HIT), seizing vast amounts of street narcotics and illegal drug currency. Known for her steady temperament, Yoube was also dedicated to training the next generation, patiently helping four new K-9 handlers learn the craft and working with six handlers total over her tenure.

When organizational restructuring later left Yoube retired without an assigned home, her story was far from over. She was welcomed with open arms into Project K-9 Hero, where she quickly captured the hearts of thousands and rose to become the organization’s third National Ambassador. As a national symbol of hope, Yoube traveled across the country to advocate for retired military and police working dogs. Even when a spinal tumor left her back legs paralyzed, Yoube’s unbreakable fighting spirit shone brightly as she bravely learned to walk again, showing the world the true meaning of strength, determination, and joy.

Yoube reached her End of Watch on December 13, 2024, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to fund medical care and rehabilitation for her fellow four-legged heroes. A portion of her ashes rests peacefully at the Michigan War Dog Memorial, ensuring this beautiful ambassador is remembered with full honors for eternity. Rest in peace, K-9 Yoube, your beautiful smile, courageous heart, and impactful mission will never be forgotten.

🐾🇺🇸

06/02/2026

🐾 Honoring K9 Dewey and K9 Sirius 🐾

This video captures last week’s interment ceremony for K9 Dewey and K9 Sirius, marking the completion of their dedicated service.

Officer Doug Fulton spoke during the ceremony, sharing a sincere eulogy that reflected on the true partnership, trust, and years of duty he shared with both of his K9 partners.

Thank you, K9 Dewey and K9 Sirius, for your steadfast commitment to keeping our community safe. Your service will not be forgotten.

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

🎖A hero among us: The legacy of K9 Captain Worf🐾🚔

Today, the Michigan War Dog Memorial honors Captain Worf, a legendary German Shepherd who served the Dearborn Police Department with immense courage and distinction. Joining the force in 2012, Worf spent his career protecting the streets of Dearborn, Michigan alongside his devoted partner, retired K-9 Corporal Gordon Morse. He was an indispensable asset to the department, mastering the critical disciplines of tracking, narcotics detection, area and article searches, and handler protection. Whether he was taking down dangerous suspects or locating hidden evidence, Worf approached every mission with relentless focus and unwavering loyalty.

Beyond his sharp tactical skills, Worf possessed a remarkable spirit that eventually inspired an entire children's book written by Corporal Morse, "The Adventures of Officer McCrea and K-9 Worf". The story captures Worf's incredible real-life journey from an unwanted, overlooked puppy to a highly decorated police dog who overcame adversity to protect his community. He even made headlines for his charismatic name, famously taking several of his police commands in the fictional Klingon language, which perfectly matched his warrior persona. He further charmed the public during a special community training event when he got to meet actor Michael Dorn, the original "Worf" from Star Trek. Worf was a bridge between law enforcement and the citizens he protected, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who met him.

Worf passed away suddenly, leaving a deep void in the hearts of his law enforcement family and the entire Dearborn community. We pause to salute a phenomenal tracker, a fierce protector, and a deeply loved partner. Rest easy, Captain Worf, your watch is over, and your heroic legacy will live on forever. Qapla'!

06/01/2026

🌿🤍Rosaries made with Love that are still available🤍🌿

06/01/2026

🎖 A hero among us: The legacy of K9 Samson🚔🐾

Today, the Michigan War Dog Memorial honors a true trailblazer whose life was defined by remarkable "firsts" and an unbreakable bond with his handler, Tim Przytulski. K-9 Samson did not just protect a community; he entirely transformed it.

Born on March 31, 2008, Samson stepped into a high-stakes mission at just 11 months old. His owner had purchased one of Michigan’s largest apartment complexes, a location heavily impacted by violent crime and sitting at just 38% occupancy. Facing direct death threats, the owner knew he needed a guardian trained to elite police standards, and Samson answered that call. Cross-trained in Patrol and Narcotics Detection, Samson earned national certification through the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers.

Samson proved so effective at crime deterrent and criminal apprehension that his success launched a security revolution, eventually expanding the program to five K-9 teams. Partnered with Handler Tim Przytulski, Samson began locating narcotics and assisting Southfield Police and undercover units with search warrants and arrests. During one notable raid, Samson helped locate 67 bags of ma*****na and a loaded handgun.

His courage was tested further on November 10, 2011, when the team received word of a suspect armed with a semi-automatic handgun and a hammer threatening to kill neighboring residents. Samson and Tim immediately engaged, tracking the fleeing suspect up to the 8th floor of the complex. Alongside Southfield Police, they safely took the suspect into custody without a single shot being fired.

Because of K-9 Samson, that crime-ridden complex completely turned around, clearing out the violence to create a safe environment with a waiting list of hopeful residents. His groundbreaking program became a national blueprint for safety, later duplicated in the State of Maryland and Washington D.C.

In the Fall of 2016, after years of tireless service, severe hip deterioration meant Samson could no longer walk without extreme pain. With heavy hearts, the difficult and painful decision was made to lay this fierce protector to rest. What a profound difference one dog can make. Rest in peace, K-9 Samson, your legacy of safety, innovation, and courage will never be forgotten.

06/01/2026

.🐾 Join Us to Honor Three Extraordinary Heroes 🐾

On Saturday, June 13th at 12:00 PM (Noon), the Michigan War Dog Memorial invites the public to a special ceremony honoring the incredible lives and legacies of three remarkable therapy dogs: Indyanna, Ischgl, and Darby.

These faithful companions dedicated their lives to bringing comfort, healing, and hope to countless people in their darkest hours. Come help us celebrate their profound impact.

Meet the heroes we are honoring:

❤️ Indyanna
A dedicated Certified Therapy Dog with Alliance Therapy Dogs from 2003 to 2014, Indyanna spent over a decade providing unconditional love and a calming presence to everyone she met.

❤️Darby
A true champion of comfort and a beloved member of the K9 Salute team, Darby served with Alliance of Therapy Dogs from 2015 to 2025 and Canines for Christ. Starting in 2019, she became a HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response Dog and served with the American Red Cross and the Oakland County Crisis Response Organization. Darby earned the AKC's highest Therapy Dog Title—Therapy Dog Supreme—with an incredible 745 visits, alongside several scentwork titles.

❤️ Ischgl
Ischgl began her life of service as a Leader Dog for the Blind. After retiring at age 5, she was adopted by those who knew her handler and transitioned into therapy work through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, primarily helping elementary school children in reading programs. She later joined HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response, deploying alongside FEMA, the US Coast Guard, and responding to many school tragedies throughout Michigan.

🗓 Date: Saturday, June 13th
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM (Noon)
📍 Location: Michigan War Dog Memorial

Please join us to salute these four-legged heroes who gave so much to our community.

06/01/2026

🐾🥃 ATTENTION BOURBON LOVERS & K-9 SUPPORTERS! 🥃🐾

We have an incredible, exclusive opportunity you do not want to miss! The Michigan War Dog Memorial is hosting a special Bourbon Barrel Pick Fundraiser, and tickets are still available—but time is running out!

Imagine being part of the select crew that helps choose our very own custom bourbon profile. The specific, winning bourbon selected by attendees during the tasting will be placed into a beautiful Michigan War Dog Memorial bottle that features both a customized label and custom etching—all finished off with a stunning eagle topper!

Not only will you get to participate in a fantastic night of tasting, but you’ll also be directly supporting our K-9 heroes.

📅 When & How it Works:

The Tasting Event: Friday, June 12th from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Grab your ticket on Eventbrite and join us for an unforgettable evening at Shankar Distillers in Troy. You'll enjoy a distillery tour, dinner, a welcome cocktail, and—most importantly—tasting right from the barrel to select our winning bourbon!

The Pickup: Good things take time! Once our custom-selected bourbon is properly aged, bottled, and ready, you’ll be able to pick up your limited-edition custom-labeled, etched bottle with its eagle topper at a later date from Benstein Liquor in Commerce.

📍 Location Details:

Bourbon Tasting Event:
Shankar Distillers
1030 Chicago Road, Troy, MI 48083

Bottle Pickup Location (At a Later Date):
Benstein Liquor
1050 Benstein Rd, Commerce Township, MI 48390

🎟️ Secure Your Spot Today!

Spaces are limited to just 100 guests, and you must have a ticket to participate in the barrel selection. Click the link below to get your tickets before they sell out!

👉 Buy Tickets on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/120540551431

Help us honor the memory and service of our military and police war dogs, one pour at a time. See you there! 🐾❤️🇺🇸