Archive for the ‘Heartwarming Vignettes’ Category

" Much of life can never be explained but only witnessed"
- Rachel Naomi Remen, MD

NAIROBI ( AFP ) – A baby hippopotamus that survived the
tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong
bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal
facility in the port city of Mombasa , officials said
The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about
300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki
River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore
when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on
December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.



"It is incredible … a-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a ‘mother’," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP .



"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.

They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added.
"The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.



"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

Before I launch into my BIG POST after not posting for several months, I want to share the following vignette. Since Al’s death I have wondered about my purpose, my future, my way of life.  I have no idea what God will call me to do, but I hope to do as much good in the world as our beloved dogs. Aren’t they grand?  Without them, I would not have made it through the past months.  Certainly they cannot take my Al’s place in any stretch of the imagination, but they are good company (when they are not decorating the floor with mud, sneaking behind the couch to leave a present for me when it is raining and they do not want to get their behinds wet, or trying to take food from my mouth or in the case of Snoop from the counter or the table or wherever else he can find a tidbit.  I have loved dogs from my earliest childhood with good reason: they are loyal, affectionate, playful, sometimes courageous and protective when necessary, and warm on a cold night.  I have a lover affair going with dogs, all dogs from purebreds to mixed breeds but especially Cavaliers.  More on my Cavaliers in my next post!!!  The little boy in the following has it right!!!

A  Dog’s Purpose Through the Eyes of a Six Year Old   

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish 
Wolfhound named Belker.  The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their 
little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping 
for a miracle. 
 
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.  I told the  family we 
couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia 
procedure for the old dog in their home. 
 
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be 
good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.  They felt as though 
Shane might learn something from the experience. 
 
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family
surrounded him.  Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last 
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.  Within a few 
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. 
 
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty 
or confusion.  We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering 
aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.” 

Stretch before rising. 
 
Run, romp, and play daily. 
 
Thrive on attention and let people touch you. 
 
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. 
 
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. 
 
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. 
 
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body. 
 
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. 
 
Be loyal. 
 
Never pretend to be something you’re not. 
 
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. 
 
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them 
gently. 
 
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

The late great Jimmy Stewart recited this poem he wrote about his “dog named Beau” on the Johnny Carson show years ago.  It is poignant; dogs are so important to us. Please watch the following clip:

http://www.sonnyradio.com/jimmy-stewart-johnny-carson-dog-named-beau.html

My beloved Snoop is a rescue dog.  I joke that he came for two days and stayed nine years.  He is a big black lab mix,

my constant shadow.  He is very obedient and smart as a whip.  His favorite illegal pastimes, though, are rooting through waste

baskets and garbage cans so he can eat any goodies he finds or chew up any tissues he finds.  He is an expert at clearing

the kitchen cabinets of anything that entices him including very recently my lovely T Bone steak.  I call him my gypsy lurcher.

He knows that he is wrong for after he gets into the garbage, skilled as he is at opening garbage cans, or surfs the counter

tops as he then slinks guiltily off with guilt written on his lowered face avoiding me completely.  I was so mad at him one day

for his usual counter surfing that I chased him around the house with a fly swatter!  Snoop really knows

what he is doing and he knows the repercussions; I think that perhaps he should join Tiger or now Jesse James in going to

a rehab center for his addiction!

Having Snoop in my life has been a blessing. Totally loyal to me, I have no doubt that he would protect me if needed. 

He is a great watch dog, but sometimes gets carried away in his zeal. I will adopt another rescue when the time is right,

but do not support Peta and HSUS in their campaign to end the breeding of purebred dogs as their motto in advertising

now seems to be  ”buy a purebred and sentence a shelter dog to death.”  If HSUS and Peta are so concerned about the

fate of shelter animals, why are they not running shelters or supporting shelters to help dogs directly instead of using

all the millions in donations they receive on advertising their cause and big salaries.  While I am on a roll, I will stop

as the following vignette is so sweet I wanted to race to the Delaware Humane Society shelter to be rescued.

                                                                                                 HORRORS! SNOOP AND ME ON A NO MAKE UP DAY!                          

I rescued a human today. 

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively  into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly,  so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I  didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked  today.  Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future
to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s  life. She got down on her knees and made little
kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised 
my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly
jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to 
see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.

So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. 

I rescued a human today. 

GOD Is Busy

If you don’t know GOD, don’t make stupid remarks!!!!!!

A United States Marine was attending some college

courses between assignments .He had completed missions in Iraq and

Afghanistan .One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed

atheist, and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in.

He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, ‘GOD, if you are real then I

want you to knock me off this platform. I’ll give you exactly 15 min.’

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, ‘Here I am GOD,

I’m still waiting.’

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out

of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-socked him; knocking him

off the platform. The professor was out cold.

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently.

The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat

there looking on in silence.

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken,

looked up at the Marine and asked, ‘What in the world is the matter with

you? ‘Why did you do that?’

T

he Marine calmly replied, ‘GOD was too busy today protecting

America’s soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid

stuff and act like an idiot. Since He was so busy… He sent me.’

The classroom erupted in cheers!

In God We Trust

I just must share this vignette which beautifully demonstrates the loyalty and love our precious animals, whether horses, dogs, or others, share withy us because they wish to do so not because they must.  As usual when I read something that touches me, I cried. I do hope it touches you also. M

Subject: Horses – a true story because of love

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they  had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the  tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a  landmark in the countryside.

The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had           taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day’s end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the  old folks. “Why do you not at least dispose of  The Old One.” She is no longer of use to you. It’s been years since you’ve had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?”

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,
scuffed at the barn floor and replied, ” Yes, I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One’s neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears.  He replied softly, “We keep her  because of love. Nothing else, just love.”

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.  None saw the first spark fall. None but the “Old One.”   In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire’s fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, “We have lost much, but God has
spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks  to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy  hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.   

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.  

Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.  Bedded down about the “Old One” close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new year’s crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the “Old One” as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his
wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was
brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift—     

Because of love . . .Only Because of love . . .      

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy. And again the peace of love filled their hearts. . .

Now, it may not be very unkind of me, but I hope to hell the old man and his wife disinherit their rotten kids!

I can just see the sweet, humble, loving Cavalier in this story (with no author given) worshipping with the other animals in the manger with the new born King:

A Christmas Story for Dog Lovers

Long ago in the deepest of winters all of the animals on Earth were abuzz with the news.

“HE IS BORN! HE IS BORN!” cried the snowy owl.

“Come one and all, rejoice!” roared the mighty lion. “Bring gifts to the new King!”

The forest grew bright with the din of excitement. Every creature was running towards the star. The noise was so loud and joyful that it traveled distant lands. In a quiet glen, under a bramble bush, a small lonely Cavalier dog raised his head from his slumber and heard the sounds from afar.

He raised his little head and wondered. Slowly he raised his tired body and sniffed the air. He knew something was amiss – but he knew not what. A voice ever so sweet was singing in the distance, this he could hear. The words were not at all clear, but the sound was of waterfalls, and misty mornings and everything dear … Eagerly he followed the sound and soon saw a star. It shone so brightly his big eyes watered. What was this shiny thing that happily glowed? What could be happening that would bring about such a lovely sight?

His little legs beat the path for many days. He became tired and hungry but still he walked on. He had to follow the sound of that voice. The voice that reminded him of warmer and kinder times. He had to follow the light of the star. The star told him of happy things to come. At last he came into a clearing and his eyes beheld a mystifying sight. Animals were everywhere and each had a precious gift. Some brought shiny berries from the forest, some brought beautiful leaves, some brought twigs from the rarest of trees and some even brought the most precious wildflowers of the fields. They were laying these gifts at the entrance of a stable. Above the stable the light of the star twinkled more brightly than before.

He turned to the deer and asked: “What is all this? Where have I come?”

“You have come to see the new King. He is born. Where are your gifts for the child?” asked the deer reproachfully.

“I have no gifts …. I didn’t know…” said the lonely little dog with his head hung low.

The deer sneered and snubbed and quickly walked away as he tossed his head indignantly. The little dog’s body trembled all over, his little tail flew between his little legs, his little head hung lower than ever. He was ashamed.

And yet … he still wanted to get a little peek at the New King.

Quietly, ever so carefully, he crept over to the stable. He was so small he could easily hide under the other animals. Ever so sleekly he crept up to the manger and peeked inside.

“WHO ARE YOU!” boomed the voice of the Lion. “WHY DO YOU DARE NOT BRING GIFTS FOR THE NEW KING?” The little dog cowered, much humbled. He laid his little head at the foot of the manger and hid his eyes. He was ready to be killed by the Lion, and yet he spoke ever so quietly, ever so meekly, ever so bravely: “I have no gifts, I have no berries, or twigs, or bright flowers of the field … all I have is my life and I will gladly give that, for I have shamed all my brethren tonight.”

He waited – with his eyes closed, thinking that if he did die tonight, at least he would die beneath the cradle of his King. That’s when a warm and gentle hand was upon him. He did not dare to open his eyes, until he heard a woman’s voice speak: “Do not fear little one. You are safe here. This bramble in your fur speaks of the gift you have brought to him.” The lonely little dog opened his eyes and looked up at the woman.

“But I have no gift to offer, save for myself, and that is very little …” he shyly protested.

The woman smiled and scratched his ears. “Little dog, you traveled far to see the King …. that is gift enough when it comes from your heart. What gift is more precious than one given in innocence and humility? No little one, you are welcome here.” As she spoke she raised the little dog up.

“Behold, your King, the Son of Man. You shall serve him well.” And the baby smiled.

So it came to pass and dog was lonely no more.

And dog has served man ever since, loyal to a fault, and humble he remains.

A gift from God to us, for who, but dog will travel miles without explanation?

Who, but dog will cower from you even if he is not wrong?

Who, but dog will take a scolding even when he is not to blame?

Who, but dog is content to die at our feet if he so must?

Let us care for it well.

My friends are always sending me gems of features,thoughts and inspiration. I never know where the vignettes that I feature on this blog originate, but I just know that they have meaning for me and, hopefully, for you also.  The following are of my favorite subject–ANIMALS:

Animals can teach us everyday!

Jasmine
In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England,  opened a garden shed and found a  whimpering, cowering dog. It had been  locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had  clearly been abused. In an act of  kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby  Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife  Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock  and known as a willing haven  for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in  need. Geoff and  the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to  full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually  both  goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started  to think  about finding her an adoptive home. But Jasmine had other  ideas. No one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary.  It wouldn’t matter if it was  a puppy, a  fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting animal, Jasmine  would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a
welcoming  lick.

Geoff  relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell-Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at  the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the  scruff of the  neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one  and sat down with them, cuddling  them.”

“But she is like that with all  of  our animals, even the rabbits. She
takes all the stress out of them and it  helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new  surroundings. She has done the same  with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and  guinea pigs and  even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her 
nose.”

Jasmine, the timid, abused,  deserted waif, became the animal  sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a  role for which she might have been  born. The list of orphaned and  abandoned youngsters she has cared for  comprises five fox cubs, four  badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two  stray puppies and 15  rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found 
semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary,  Jasmine cuddled  up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster  mum role.  Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection  and  makes sure nothing is matted.

“They  are  inseparable,are  inseparable,” says Geoff “Bramble walks
between Jasmine’s legs while kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It’s a real  treat to see  them.”

Jasmine  will continue  to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to  woodland  life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too  busy  showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of  abuse.

  From  left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe  deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn  owl; and Jasmine with a Mothers heart doing best what a caring Mother would do….

Such is the order of God’s Creation.

        A wonderful story to lift your spirit

A  female whale had become entangled in a spider  web of crab traps  and  lines.

She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused   her to struggle to stay afloat. 

She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped  around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate ) and radioed  for help.

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way  to save her was to dive in and untangle  her–a very dangerous proposition.  One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. 

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.  She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and  pushed gently,  thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was  following him the whole time, and  he will never be the same. 

May you, and all those you love, be so fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.
    

  And the next heartwarming story in photos:

I  come in  peace.

Norbert Rosing’s  striking images of a wild polar  bear  coming upon
tethered sled dogs in  the wild.  The photographer was sure that he was going to see the end of his dogs when the polar bear  wandered  in: 

It amazes me that my that my friend Marilee Snyder keeps sending me emails about facts or stories that seem to be a fit for this blog . I used a whole box of Kleenex reading this one:

Ain’t nothing like a dog!

They told me the big black Lab’s name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. the shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I’d only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the
small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn’t hurt.
Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie’s advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the
people who had come down to see him just didn’t look like “Lab people,” whatever that meant. They must’ve thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog
pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn’t really hit it off when we
got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls – he wouldn’t go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth)
got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn’t really think he’d need all his old stuff, that I’d get him new things once he settled in. but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn’t going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like “sit” and “stay” and “come” and “heel,” and he’d follow them – when he felt like it. He never really seemed
to listen when I called his name – sure, he’d look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he’d just go back to doing whatever. When I’d ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn’t going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn’t wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the “damn dog probably hid it on me.”

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter’s number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie’s direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I’d seen since bringing him home.. But then I called, “Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I’ll give you a treat.” Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction – maybe “glared” is more accurate – and then gave a
discontented sigh and flopped down.. With his back to me.

Well, that’s not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number. But I hung up when I saw
the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. “Okay, Reggie,” I said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any advice.”……….
_______________________________________
“To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. If you’re reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and
toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time… it’s like he knew something was wrong.

And something is wrong… which is why I have to go to try to make it right. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will
help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls…. the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. Doesn’t matter where you throw them, he’ll bound after it, so be careful – really don’t do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it
almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I’ll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones – “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel.” He knows hand signals:
“back” to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and “over” if you put your hand out right or left. “Shake” for shaking water off, and “paw” for a high-five.

He does “down” when he feels like lying down-I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows “ball” and “food” and “bone” and “treat” like nobody’s business. I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He’s up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they’ll make sure to send you reminders for when he’s due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates
the vet. Good luck getting him in the car – I don’t know how he knows when it’s time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I’ve never been married, so it’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily
car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn’t bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new.

And that’s why I need to share one more bit of info with you….His name’s not Reggie.

I don’t know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He’s a smart dog, he’ll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn’t bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I’d never see him again. And if I end up
coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything’s fine. But if someone else is reading it, well… well it means that his new owner should know
his real name. It’ll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you’ll even notice a change in his demeanor if he’s been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive. Again, if you’re reading this and you’re from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn’t make “Reggie” available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could’ve
left Tank with… and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter… in the “event”… to tell them that
Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he’d do it personally. And if you’re reading this,
then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I’m just writing it for my dog. I couldn’t imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my family for the
last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible
things… and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and
of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that’s enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don’t think I’ll say another good-bye to Tank, though.. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight – every night – from me.

Thank you, Paul Mallory
_____________________________________

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope.

Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

“Hey, Tank,” I said quietly.

The dog’s head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

“C’mere boy.”

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn’t heard in months. “Tank,”
I whispered. His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood
him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

“It’s me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me.” Tank reached up and licked my cheek. “So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again. “Yeah?
Ball? You like that? Ball?” Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

And now I am crying again. Please pray for our soldiers and those they have left behind  human or canine or for that matter feline and equine. With Woodstock so much in the news right now, please remember our guys who died in the Vietnam war and let’s finally pay that war’s living vets the respect we denied them then and may be still denying them as so many of them have just dropped out of the life they once would have dreamt of living before they went to Nam. 

The Animal Rights groups pushing all the anti-dog and anti breeding legislation say they are concerned with animal welfare.  Animal welfare and rights are two totally different concepts in my view.  Dogs have contributed so much to us:  war dogs, hearing dogs, seeing eye dogs, therapy dogs, herding dogs, guard dogs, scent and rescue dogs, beloved pets–the list could go on and on about how dogs and humans work together and love each other.  All of the dog related bills being proposed throughout this county will do serious damage to all of us breeders and pet owners alike.  I know that I can not live without my dogs.  The following story is sweet and one more example of how we benefit from the dogs in our lives.

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’  Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease….in fact; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her…what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him!  The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom.  Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called.  It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong.  She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!  While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember….live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget….the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most Credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God