{"id":2241,"date":"2026-01-26T02:00:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T02:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daily-bullet.com\/?p=2241"},"modified":"2026-02-12T11:59:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T11:59:38","slug":"a-tail-of-service-famous-doggles-dog-nick-retires-after-eight-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daily-bullet.com\/?p=2241","title":{"rendered":"A ‘Tail’ of Service: Famous ‘Doggles’ Dog Nick Retires After Eight Years"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. \u2014 The beloved military working dog known across the force for greeting users when logging in to military devices is now retired from active service.<\/p>\n

Affectionately called \u201cDoggles,\u201d MWD Nick served eight years in the U.S. Army, seven of those here.<\/p>\n

Nick specialized in explosives detection, where he helped technicians as they confronted and defeated explosives around the world. Some of the biggest assignments that Nick and handler Staff Sgt. Justin Peyton have worked include 58 United States Secret Service missions, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit, the Democratic National Convention, the Army\u2019s 250th anniversary celebration, state funerals and the United Nations General Assembly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite assignment was the United Nations meeting in New York City,\u201d Peyton said. \u201cWe got to walk around the city, see sights and meet lots of people.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The famous photo came from Nick\u2019s nine-month deployment to Al Assad, Iraq with his previous handler, Spc. Joseph J. Lane. During this deployment, Lane and Nick supported the 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goggles are worn to protect MWDs from debris and harsh weather,\u201d said Lane in a 2023 interview. \u201cIn that photo, Nick was wearing them at the range for familiarization. We were at the range for night fire, and we flew in Black Hawks with night vision goggles.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nick\u2019s photo was selected from among hundreds to be used by the Department of Dense Global Directory.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen they saw Nick\u2019s photo, the creators knew that was the one they wanted,\u201d Peyton said.<\/p>\n

Since becoming the face of the DoD Global Directory, Nick garnered a cult following among service members and Department of War civilians. A morale patch made by a small artist has been sold thousands of times.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been nice to see lots of people take to him and fall in love with him,\u201d Peyton said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis dog\u2019s career is a direct reflection of the high standards and operational lethality we demand from every team in our unit,\u201d said 2D MP Detachment (MWD) Commander Capt. Patricio Quezada, as he reflected on Nick and Peyton\u2019s time with the unit. \u201cTheir success was built on the relentless work of a dedicated handler who exercised patience and translated that into an unbreakable bond between dog and handler.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

When adopting a military working dog after their service, handlers have priority. Nick will be living out the rest of his years with Peyton, his wife Lauren and two children.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing that Nick kept Justin safe for so long, knowing that he protects my husband, has given me a lot of comfort,\u201d Lauren said. \u201cWe are looking forward to giving him a comfortable life in retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Abigail Carey<\/em><\/p>\n

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