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randy1 02-04-2013 17:01:29 70.198.192.34 Report to Moderator	.This is a great story worth reading. Made me cry.They told me the big black Lab name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. Id 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. 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, thats 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 dogs head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. 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 hadnt 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 Its 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 [Reply]   [No Email]
NMfarmer 02-04-2013 18:05:12 166.137.210.15 Report to Moderator	Re: farm dog in reply to randy1, 02-04-2013 17:01:29   Great story and pic. [Reply]  [No Email]
Gene Dotson 02-04-2013 17:28:27 69.88.222.62 Report to Moderator	Re: farm dog in reply to randy1, 02-04-2013 17:01:29   Doggoneit now you have me crying. Been down that road too. Be kind and it always works out. Gene [Reply]  [No Email]
Larrystinescorner 02-04-2013 17:10:25 173.54.227.206 Report to Moderator	Re: farm dog in reply to randy1, 02-04-2013 17:01:29   great story,and a great looking dog,,,thanks [Reply]  [No Email]
rick165 02-04-2013 17:20:10 70.194.1.207 Report to Moderator	Re: farm dog in reply to Larrystinescorner, 02-04-2013 17:10:25   dogs are great arent they.i have one that rides on what ever i get on tractor/4 wheeler it doesnt matter to him just as long as he is with me hes happy. RICK [Reply]  [No Email]