Dogs on Duty
What were war dogs originally used for thousands of years ago?
War dogs were used as weapons of fear, they were used to terrify and disable the enemy.
Why did Ben have to go to jail?
Mr. Brodess (slave owner) owed money and Ben had to go to jail as a form of payment.
Who are Ivan’s best friends?
Stella, the elephant and Bob, the dog
Why did Elliot Michener choose to plant flowers instead of fruit trees or vegetables on Alcatraz?
He wanted to bring beauty and color to the bleak, gray prison environment, not just produce food.
When Aunt Polly died, to whom did she leave her pie shop?
Reverend Flowers
How were scent dogs used in the Vietnam War?
The dogs sniffed out the tunnel systems that were used to ambush American soldiers. They also alerted their handlers about wired booby traps
What did Frederick Douglas do when he escaped from slavery?
He joined the abolitionist movement.
What does Mack, the owner of the Big Top and Video Arcade, do with Ivan’s drawings?
Mack sells them in the gift shop for $20 ($25 with frame)
How did gardening help Elliot change?
It gave him a sense of responsibility, peace, and humanity, helping him reform.
When Lardo ran away, Alice went back to the pie shop to see if he returned to his home. What did she find happened at the pie shop?
Alice found the place had been ransacked; the burglar was looking for something.
What is the key to a puppy being a successful Military Working Dog (MWD)?
It is important that the puppy has a strong attachment to a particular toy. They use a Kong to train.
How did Harriet go south when she first started to help free slaves?
She traveled on ships that carried lumber. She was not able to travel back North the same way because northbound ships were checked for run-away slaves.
What word was Ivan missing from his painting?
He was missing the word HOME.
When Elliot was transferred to Leavenworth, why did he beg to stay on Alcatraz?
He had developed a passion for the gardens he created and found a sense of purpose and freedom in gardening that he didn't want to lose.
What was on Charlie’s shopping list for Miss Gurke, the school principal, that made Alice suspicious that she may have “cat” napped Lardo?
A dozen cans of sardines, Lardo’s favorite food
After the handlers for Specialized Search Dogs show they can work with the dogs, what happens?
Each trainer gets 2 dogs and must pick just one after a month.
Why did Harriet have to act fast to save her family?
She learned that there were new laws against helping slaves escape.
What did the protesters cause to happen at Exit 8 Big Top and Arcade?
A lady from the zoo and a vet came with boxes for all the animals.
What did Elliot find in the prison yard and what did he do with it? (Hint: This led to him being given the gardening job)
He found a key and he turned it in instead of using it to escape.
Alice’s mother’s pie disappeared. What did Alice’s mother say to her that upset Alice so much that she ran out of the house?
Alice’s mother accused Alice of taking the pie and complained that Alice loved Aunt Polly more than she loved her own mother.
What are Military Working Dogs mainly used to in Iraq and Afghanistan?
They are used to sniff out IEDs(improvised explosive devices). They are deadly explosives hidden beneath the roads and paths.
What happened when Harriet brought the group of nine to Philadelphia?
She realized that the city was no longer safe for runaway slaves.
When workers leave a pile of dirt in Ivan’s compound, what does Ivan do with it?
Ivan makes mud and begins to paint a big picture on the wall.
What did Elliot do after he left prison?
After being transferred to Leavenworth and receiving early parole, he moved to a farm in Wisconsin and became a professional landscaper
While helping Charlie deliver groceries around town, what did Alice do to help each customer?
Alice gave each person a little advice about making their favorite pies like Aunt Polly’s. She passed on lots of things Aunt Polly taught her.