Surviving with Grief

Based on the inspirational True Story of a Marine Corps K9 Team that experienced everything together, for the first time.

Take the journey on a combat deployment through Afghanistan and see how "Grief" became much more than just a dog name. Bullets & Explosives are just background noise in a Tail of heartbreak and joy. This team has been through it all, but little did they know that one October night would start the longest mission of their lives.


The author's goal is to give the American people an insight into what young men and women experienced during a combat deployment in Afghanistan. The stories told in this book allow the reader to better understand the hardships of War and surviving with the loss of a friend or battle buddy.

"Al takes the reader on his personal journey as a K-9 handler serving in Afghanistan, providing a detailed insight into life day-to-day, during an action-packed deployment. The brotherhood in the military and unconditional bond between dog and handler are on full display in this book, as is Al's tenacity, faith and spirit as he adjusts to life as a Purple Heart recipient."
- Chris Willingham (Ret. MSgt. USMC K9) President of United States War Dogs Association

"The bonds that heal. Surviving with Grief, is more than a story about the unconditional love between a military handler and his K-9, it is a pragmatic naration of the relationships throughout our military between battle buddies - on their left and their right, and the importance of the connections to family. Real and honest, a journey of the human spirit and love that surges from these bonds, despite the hardships and tragedy of war. "
- David Sutherland (Ret. Army Col.) Chairman of Dixon Center