Host Meg Grier interviews Dennis Blocker, a military war dog trainer and handler with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan and author of three books. Dennis shares a story from his time guarding the US Embassy construction site in Baghdad along the Tigris River. He explains how he and his German shepherd Taurus identified a suspicious motorcyclist with explosive residue on his hands — using the concepts of "JND" (Just Noticeable Difference) and "COB" (Change of Behavior) in dog handling.

He draws a parallel to faith: just as a handler must spend time with their dog to recognize subtle behavioral cues, we must spend consistent time with God to recognize when He's communicating with us. The episode closes with a reflection on relying on God the way dogs rely on their owners.

0:00     Show intro — "God and Our Dogs" on Bernie Radio

0:07     Mission statement & show overview

0:38     Guest intro — Dennis Blocker, war dog trainer & author

1:10     Welcome & conversation begins; favorite stories from three books

1:56     Dennis introduces the theme of trust — in God and in your dog

2:21     Reading dog body language — how dogs communicate through movement

3:22     Explains JND (Just Noticeable Difference) and COB (Change of Behavior)

4:22     Connects JND/COB to recognizing when God is speaking to us

5:07     Story begins — Checkpoint Miami, guarding the US Embassy in Baghdad

5:58     Suspicious motorcyclist arrives; Taurus begins growling

6:34     Dennis positions Taurus downwind; reads the dog's cues

7:28     Taurus alerts on handle grips — explosive odor detected

8:09     Suspect's hands test positive for multiple explosive residues

8:56     Meg draws the spiritual lesson — time with God = recognizing His signs

9:36     Discussion on growing closer to God over time

9:51     Book three update — Dennis's son handles publishing to Amazon

10:33  How to contact Dennis & find his books (DogsOf2Wars@yahoo.com)

10:59  Closing thought: "PAWND-ER" — how is your dog relying on you today?

11:24  Sign-off, show info, and how to find Bernie Radio

Host:  Meg Grier - Stories@GodAndOurDogs.com

Website:  www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072683640098

God and Our Dogs airs every Saturday at 11:15am on Boerne Radio 103.9FM - www.boerneradio.com.

Air Date:  05/30/26