Old relics or big guns?
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| Allen and Endal visit the Animals' War exhibition in London, to share some of their adventures with visitors over the half-term holiday. |
THE Animals' War exhibition was launched to pay tribute to the part played by many animals during times of war and is now into it's seventh month, currently housed at the imposing Imperial War museum in London. The exhibition team invited two of its living relics to spend some days sharing their story with the visitors during the schools' half term recently. Both Endal, renowned for his care of his human partner Royal Navy Gulf war veteran Allen Parton, and Allen worked together to enthrall the visitors young and old with the story of their personal journey together over the last 10 years.
Allen said "I never know if it is something that we should boast about ... being actual museum relics ... but personally, to see Endal's major role in my rehabilitation recognised in this way is very very emotional. The exhibition also tells the story of animals that have lost their lives in the service of mankind so to be part of such a prestigious exhibition is such an honour."
It was very reminiscent of the Christmas scene where the children end up having more enjoyment playing with the box then the actual gift inside. Endal was such a massive attraction, despite the huge collection of military hardware and hands on displays in the museum. It was so heart warming to see Endal so alive with the children and the grown up visitors, his gentle nature just shone through. He certainly made a many new friends and won a lot of hearts during his time at the museum.
"Sadly the media has been recently reporting only the negative aspect of dogs, so it was nice to be doing something that promotes the dogs in our lives and at the same time remind folk of what sacrifies dogs and animals have made for man over the years" said Allen. He added "Endal truly is such a great ambassador for the canine world. Children that initially had a fear of dogs were, after a very short time, sitting cuddling Endal ...which is so heart warming to see".
Allen confessed that "on our second day we were a little tired because our London hotel was positioned between a fire, Police and ambulance station. During the night various sirens would sound, which Endal alerted me to with such enthusiasm. By four o'clock in the morning and the 20th awakening by my faithful hound, I could only laugh at the situation. After each alert Endal quickly settled back to sleep but not so in my case. Though I was a little tired on the last day Endal seemed to draw on an endless supply of energy to wow his audience as is the norm and this kept me going too."
In conjunction with the AW exhibition a children's book has been published and the author Isabel George, PDSA press relations officer and a familiar face at Crufts each year, also attended and read chapters to a spellbound audience (Allen and Endal included) and she also signed copies of the book that were on sale in the museum book shop.
The Animals' War Exhibition runs until April 22, 2007 in London, after which it will transfer to IWM North in Manchester. Adults £6.00, concessions £5.00, children and groups £4.00, family ticket £18.00. For General Enquiries Tel: 020 7416 5320/1 or visit www.iwm.org.uk/animals.
