Although I expressed my condolences earlier in this thread, I have avoided this thread because of the memories it brought back for me.For one brief minute I will share my experience with you all.
When I was nine,my mother bought me two collie dogs to keep me company while she worked long hours.Indeed,they were not only my best friend,but for some time they were my only friends.We lived at first in a very rural area,and there wasn't any kids anywhere around for me to play with.We slept together,hunted,fished the river,and ate our meals together only as a kid and his dogs can do.
When I was 18, I joined the Navy and left home.After boot camp I was sent to Great Lakes Naval Base for schooling and called home each and every Sunday morning to assure my mother that I was still alive and doing well.
One Sunday morning when I called,my mother was very quite.After a little prodding,she told me that Jenny had gotten an infection,and by the time she got her to the vet she was so bad off the vet advises her to put her down.
Mom buried her alongside the apple tree in the backyard, and Missie my other dog refused to leave the grave.She stayed under that apple tree through several rains storms,refused to eat, and had no interest in any treats what so ever.
The following Friday I had my weekly test, and bombed it so big time that my chief called me into his office to ask what was going on.It was hard,telling that grizzled old man that had seen not only the world but also two tours in Vietnam that i was broken up about one of my dogs dying and the other one wasting away,but I did my best expecting a good tongue lashing after wards.
I sat there at his desk while he leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours.Finally, he leaned forward and with a whisper that I could barely make out he said,"you need to go home to say goodbye."
It was only then that my grief took hold and I cried like a baby.He patiently waited until I could compose myself, then told me to go back to the barracks and pack my stuff and arrange for a flight home.I told him then while I appreciated his gesture, I really didn't have the money to make the trip at that time.
With a tear in his eye, he withdrew his wallet,pulled several bills from it and tossed them on the desk with a nod.Although I refused the money, he simply said take it or he would write me up for disobeying a lawful order.I complied.
After I got my bags packed, I headed down to the area where the taxis hung out by the BX to catch a ride with my leave papers in my back pocket.I had only gone a block when a car pulled up alongside.
"Are you Petty Officer Klaus?" the man inside inquired.
"Yep,that's me,why?"
"Well,I have been instructed to take you to the airport."
After dumping me off at the terminal, the driver leaned out the window and handed me an envelope.He had been instructed to give it to me only after getting to the airport.While waiting in line to buy my ticket,inside was almost $500 and a brief note.
"Thank you for reminding me what is important in this life Petty Officer Klaus.In my life I have seen far to much death and grief, and I was gone off to war when my own dog died alone in the barn.Since I wasn't there to say good bye to my own pal,maybe I can make up for it by sending you home.The money in this envelope was taken up from all the officers and instructors, you can thank them in person when you return."
Two days after I arrived home, Missie went to her final resting place, I buried her alongside Jennie under that apple tree.
I still have that note, written so many years ago,to remind me what is important in life.Sometimes its compassion.
Can I use that story in my outdoor column????
My eye's are leaking....thankyou.
I know Old Yeller has already been mentioned, but equal too if not better IMHO is Where the Red Fern Grows. This last story really reminded me of it. I've read that book twice 1st time I think I was in the 4th grade and cried my eyes out second time was in college and cried my eyes out. I'm looking forward to sharing that story with my kids someday.
I read that story many times, and each and every time i swore that I would never read it again.My daughter had a sleep over one time when she was 7,and all the girls were astonished to see my daughters daddy quietly sobbing like a little boy in his armchair.
Um,sure.What column?
Aitkin Age and the Voyaguer Press...I write outdoor columns for both papers.
I thought to do a story about us dog lovers.
Although I expressed my condolences earlier in this thread, I have avoided this thread because of the memories it brought back for me.For one brief minute I will share my experience with you all.
When I was nine,my mother bought me two collie dogs to keep me company while she worked long hours.Indeed,they were not only my best friend,but for some time they were my only friends.We lived at first in a very rural area,and there wasn't any kids anywhere around for me to play with.We slept together,hunted,fished the river,and ate our meals together only as a kid and his dogs can do.
When I was 18, I joined the Navy and left home.After boot camp I was sent to Great Lakes Naval Base for schooling and called home each and every Sunday morning to assure my mother that I was still alive and doing well.
One Sunday morning when I called,my mother was very quite.After a little prodding,she told me that Jenny had gotten an infection,and by the time she got her to the vet she was so bad off the vet advises her to put her down.
Mom buried her alongside the apple tree in the backyard, and Missie my other dog refused to leave the grave.She stayed under that apple tree through several rains storms,refused to eat, and had no interest in any treats what so ever.
The following Friday I had my weekly test, and bombed it so big time that my chief called me into his office to ask what was going on.It was hard,telling that grizzled old man that had seen not only the world but also two tours in Vietnam that i was broken up about one of my dogs dying and the other one wasting away,but I did my best expecting a good tongue lashing after wards.
I sat there at his desk while he leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours.Finally, he leaned forward and with a whisper that I could barely make out he said,"you need to go home to say goodbye."
It was only then that my grief took hold and I cried like a baby.He patiently waited until I could compose myself, then told me to go back to the barracks and pack my stuff and arrange for a flight home.I told him then while I appreciated his gesture, I really didn't have the money to make the trip at that time.
With a tear in his eye, he withdrew his wallet,pulled several bills from it and tossed them on the desk with a nod.Although I refused the money, he simply said take it or he would write me up for disobeying a lawful order.I complied.
After I got my bags packed, I headed down to the area where the taxis hung out by the BX to catch a ride with my leave papers in my back pocket.I had only gone a block when a car pulled up alongside.
"Are you Petty Officer Klaus?" the man inside inquired.
"Yep,that's me,why?"
"Well,I have been instructed to take you to the airport."
After dumping me off at the terminal, the driver leaned out the window and handed me an envelope.He had been instructed to give it to me only after getting to the airport.While waiting in line to buy my ticket,inside was almost $500 and a brief note.
"Thank you for reminding me what is important in this life Petty Officer Klaus.In my life I have seen far to much death and grief, and I was gone off to war when my own dog died alone in the barn.Since I wasn't there to say good bye to my own pal,maybe I can make up for it by sending you home.The money in this envelope was taken up from all the officers and instructors, you can thank them in person when you return."
Two days after I arrived home, Missie went to her final resting place, I buried her alongside Jennie under that apple tree.
I still have that note, written so many years ago,to remind me what is important in life.Sometimes its compassion.
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