[skyguy79]

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.

I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."

____________ _________ _________ _________

To Whomever 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. He knew something was different.

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 hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. He hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful. Don't do it by any roads.

Next, the commands he’s learned. Reggie knows the obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," and "heel."

He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. 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. 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.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...His name's not 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. But if someone is reading this ... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive.

I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You 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 CO 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.

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, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is 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. 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 herd 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 into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

If you can read this without getting a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye, you just ain't right.

A veteran is someone who, at one point, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including their life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."

SEMPER FIDELIS!

[TerpDawg]

You got this old Navy guy choked up, Skyguy. What a wonderful tale told so very well.

[joannej]

A good reminder of all the sacrifices our military make every day so that we can live in peace.

[DonH57]

Wow. What a story. Definately made a lump in my throat as well. God bless all our young men and women in uniform.

[PugLover]

Thank you for sharing this heart warming story. Tank will have his old memories with his very brave soldier but will also have new memories with his new Daddy. Best wishes to both of you.

[jebartle]

I'm a blubbering idiot...I'm such a softy for a great great story...Thanks

[Taltarzac725]

Thanks for the story, skyguy.

[salpal]

It's 7:40 am and I am crying....what a wonderful, heart wrenching story.

[quirky3]

Thank you so much for that wonderful story, Skyguy!

[duffysmom]

Skyguy I thought I didn't have any tears left but you started them up again with this story but in a good way because Tank found love again.
I've watched several videos of dogs welcoming home their people and nobody can welcome home a soldier better than a dog but sometimes that doesn't happen so this is the next best thing for Tank. Thanks

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

Skyguy I thought I didn't have any tears left but you started them up again with this story but in a good way because Tank found love again.

I've watched several videos of dogs welcoming home their people and nobody can welcome home a soldier better than a dog but sometimes that doesn't happen so this is the next best thing for Tank. Thanks

DM, I'm glad that you and others have enjoyed the story. When I finished reading the story myself, I experienced the same emotions and feelings that I experience with reading the book "The Art of Racing in the Rain." It's been discussed a few different times here on TOTV, but I'm sure some have not yet enjoyed this Garth Stein novel yet!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Well, I'm crying too. My son just came home safely a couple of months ago from Iraq (thank goodness) but before he left he asked me if he could switch the contact for his dog's microchip to my house. His dog had run away and he was so afraid that she would be located and they wouldn't have any way to contact him and let him know she had been found. She never was found but I guess this story sort of hits home in a special way for me. Thank you for sharing and for making me cry. A good heartfelt cry is good sometimes, it proves your still alive inside. And, by the way, The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of my favorite books. I have recommended it to many people.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

DM, I'm glad that you and others have enjoyed the story. When I finished reading the story myself, I experienced the same emotions and feelings that I experience with reading the book "The Art of Racing in the Rain." It's been discussed a few different times here on TOTV, but I'm sure some have not yet enjoyed this Garth Stein novel yet!

Someone from the Doggie Doo Run Run dog park recommended this book to me and I borrowed if from the Lake County Library System but as usual many of the books I put on hold all come at once so I have not been able to get to it just yet.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Someone from the Doggie Doo Run Run dog park recommended this book to me and I borrowed if from the Lake County Library System but as usual many of the books I put on hold all come at once so I have not been able to get to it just yet.

If you liked the story I posted, you'll love Racing in the Rain! Make it a priority T, I'm anxious to get another shot at getting you crying if Tank didn't do the trick!