Creative dog grooming is especially popular in Asia, but is becoming more and more prevalent in Europe and the States as well. See some pics of Barkleigh's Creative Styling Contest 2009 (Pasedena, CA).

A woman looks at photographs of dogs to choose a pet to rent at Puppy The World on January 24, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Rent-a-dog is becoming increasingly popular amongst people who love dogs but are unable to look after a pet full time due to limited living space or long working hours. Customers pay the dog-rental outlet around 2500 yen (32.5 USD) for an hour, and usually take their rented pet for a walk along the nearby beach. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

A man cuts dog meat at a dog meat restaurant ahead of local dog meat festival in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China on June 21, 2018. The festival in the southwestern town of Yulin has long drawn international criticism, with thousands of dogs traditionally being killed during the event. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

A Husky dog looks on before a sled and skijoring race in the village of Kadnikovo outside Yekaterinburg, Russia, December 10, 2016. (Photo by Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

A dog in a purple dress, taken in El Dorado, Arkansas, December 2016. The dapper dogs in clothes are back with a second series, and they’re feeling festive. (Photo by Tammy Swarek/Barcroft Images)

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Disabled dogs outfitted with wheelchairs walk at an animal rescue center on July 12, 2008 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. The center has adopted over 100 stray dogs and cats from quake-struck areas. Those who were hurt or disabled are outfitted with a cart to help support they're body and make them mobile. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)