Photographer Lucy Ray says she has been scratched by the pooches who are diving underwater to try and catch a tennis ball. Their wide-eyed desperation has been captured by a specialist underwater photographer who admits she has been bitten and scratched by the pooches who only had eyes for the ball. Lucy Ray, 34, said: “A dog could have the cutest face on land but as soon as they get in the water they can be terrifying. Their eyes bulge and teeth shoot out of their mouth just like an alien as they try to catch the ball”. (Photo by Lucy Ray)

The “Doggie moms” are women (and sometimes men) carrying dressed up toy dogs in purses everywhere they go. Through their dogs, they meet regularly, often for animal-related charity events, and for each occasion have their dog wear hundreds of dollars in bedazzled outfits.

Britain's biggest dog, 18 month old great Dane, Freddy seen realxing on the sofa with it's owner Claire Stoneman at their home in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. (Photo by Matt Writtle/Barcroft Media)

A woman sits with a Great Dane during the first day of the Crufts dog show in Birmingham, central England March 6, 2014. (Photo by Darren Staples/Reuters)

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)

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.

After being rescued as a young fox cub, Todd the 11-month-old fox is getting along just fine as a domestic pet together with his owner, Emma D’Sylva. Todd goes for walks on a leash, plays with D’Sylva’s two other dogs, and wags his tail when it’s time to eat. He was rescued by D’Sylva when he was 4 months old from other owners who could no longer care for him.