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Pampering military poochesSpecial to the Record-EagleAllison Merrill and military service dog Tank celebrate one year in Michigan together. Merrill cares for Tank while owner Sgt. Alex Baron serves overseas with the U.S. Air Force in an area deemed too dangerous for service dogs.Area kennel sends supplies, toys to military dogs overseasBY DANIELLE WOODWARDdwoodward ©record-eag le.comTRAVERSE CITY — Allison Merrill can't help but tear up talking about Tank, her trusty German shepherd sidekick for the better part of the last 2 years.The two have been nearly inseparable since she took in the military working dogwhile owner Sgt. Alex Baron served overseas in the U.S. Air Force. But Merrill must say her goodbyes come May when Baron’s deployment ends and Tank joins him overseas at a military base that will become their new home.UI cry both sad and happy tears,” Merrill said. ‘Tm very happy I've been able to help, but he became a huge part of my life, so it's going to be hard. It's very bittersweet.”Merrill, owner of Sun Dog Boarding Kennel, didn't plan on growing attached — or even taking in — adog she didn't know from North Carolina.But she’s become passionate about helping dogs like Tank since joining the Military Working Dog Team Support Association. When Merrill isn’t pooch-sitting, she’s crafting care packages for military working dogs.“I didn’t know I would be this involved when I started,” she said. “I'm in the kennel all day every day, so it’s a nice break from those duties.”It was hardly the lifeSEE DOGS PAGE 2
Newspaper Details
Traverse City North Coast
Traverse City, Michigan, US
Sat, Apr 01, 2017
Page 1
Full Page
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Camille C.
USA 09 Jun 2025
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