I saw this posted elsewhere and had to share it.

Long but so worth reading

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 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.

"Come '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.

I just read it on your FB, its a beautiful but sad story

What a sad story i had tears,,, im so pleased that tank found a new friend and that it had a good ending ..:):)

Heartbreaking should know better than to read something that says have tissues in the office. So glad tank found a new friend to love :)

God, that's such a sad tale.

I wish there was a good solution to make all dogs suddenly understandable and obedient though.

God, that's such a sad tale.

I wish there was a good solution to make all dogs suddenly understandable and obedient though.

A good story but that's all it is:

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/reggie.asp

Aww that brought a tear to my eye!
Thats exactly what happened with Gadget - apparently when his previous owners adopted him from the pound, they called him 'Sam' and he basically didn't take any notice of them for a week or so, then she traced his details and was on the phone when she was told his previous name was Gadget, and she said it and he came running in with is tail wagging!

I think it's mawkish nonsense and emotional porn.


This is the second time I've said this; it mysteriously vanished the first time.
I guess the OP posted it to offer others the chance to give their opinion.
I've given mine, which is honest and doesn't break any Forum rules.
I wonder if over-zealous moderation will see this vanish as well?

A good story but that's all it is:

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/reggie.asp

I'm sorry... I never said it was TRUE!

We read stories from the dog's point of view about being taken to be put to sleep - have you checked they're not fake too??

I'm sorry... I never said it was TRUE!

We read stories from the dog's point of view about being taken to be put to sleep - have you checked they're not fake too??

Errrr, you are being ironic here aren't you Lotti?

I think it's mawkish nonsense and emotional porn.


This is the second time I've said this; it mysteriously vanished the first time.
I guess the OP posted it to offer others the chance to give their opinion.
I've given mine, which is honest and doesn't break any Forum rules.
I wonder if over-zealous moderation will see this vanish as well?

I wasn't aware I would have to explain the point behind this but I guess it's become apparent from two posters that I do :rolleyes:

The story may be true it may not - it's not something that concerned me. The fact is the animal's response to the new owner and to being rehomed happens a lot.

To me the point of the story was:
a. Don't be in so much of a hurry that you can't take the time to 'read the letter' or whatever that may relate to in your own life.
b. Dogs (or any animal) need to adapt to change and they need familiarity
c. Just as any animal, including humans, dogs do have feelings and pick up on our own (misbehaviour from the dog results in hostility towards the dog which in turn results in the dog becoming more stressed and responding even more unpredictably.

I just thought it was a nice piece of creating writing that worded all the above quite nicely.

Clearly, it was wasted...

Errrr, you are being ironic here aren't you Lotti?

I am indeed ;) (or sarcastic really)

Halibut, as you just going to keep on posting until you get an answer, I'll give you one, as GL.

The Pet Section is here for pet lovers and owners. What we get sick and tired of in here is people who do not understand the feelings we have for our animals trying to provoke reactions from people which are just unnecessary. So I ask, with due respect, to give it a rest.

Lotti, it makes lovely reading for those of us sensitive enough to comprehend the true value of an animal's company :)

The Pet Section is here for pet lovers and owners. What we get sick and tired of in here is people who do not understand the feelings we have for our animals trying to provoke reactions from people which are just unnecessary. So I ask, with due respect, to give it a rest.

I think the OP posted to allow others to give their views?
So really, you're sort of saying 'Don't reply unless you're going to agree with the sentiment expressed?'. Just so we're clear.

Lotti, it makes lovely reading for those of us sensitive enough to comprehend the true value of an animal's company :)

I know plenty of people sensitive enough to value an animals company (I'm one of them).
Doesn't mean they wouldn't regard the story as oversentimentalised old tearjerky cack though.

Halibut, don't twist my words. You know that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm merely pointing out that the Groups are supposed to be friendly places where like-minded people can chat and share advice. I don't understand the point of coming into this group if you just want to be controversial. It makes for tiresome reading. Please refrain from making comments just for a reaction. Let's not take up any more space on Lotti's thread shall we?:)

Halibut, don't twist my words. You know that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm merely pointing out that the Groups are supposed to be friendly places where like-minded people can chat and share advice. I don't understand the point of coming into this group if you just want to be controversial. It makes for tiresome reading. Please refrain from making comments just for a reaction. Let's not take up any more space on Lotti's thread shall we?:)

I'll retire gracefully, but not apologetically.
I think there are plenty of doglovers who can express their fondness for their pets without such sickly sweet sentimentality. They'd perhaps agree with me.

But you don't want me to say that so I'll shut up now.

It was still a lovely story.

It was wasn't it? :hihi:

It wasnt wasted on me . Thank you for posting it, I dont care if it is true or not, it does explain a lot about pet behaviour and how it can sadly be misinterpretted
Kate xxx
www.jackrussellfriends.co.uk

sad little story even though it was not true which makes a good point.

I thought it was lovely, sad in some manners but it was so nice to know that the owner had read the letter in time. Bittersweet i guess.

True or not, I'm going to have to re-do my eye make-up.:sad:

I think it's mawkish nonsense and emotional porn.


This is the second time I've said this; it mysteriously vanished the first time.
I guess the OP posted it to offer others the chance to give their opinion.
I've given mine, which is honest and doesn't break any Forum rules.
I wonder if over-zealous moderation will see this vanish as well?

To be perfectly honest I am not overly keen on that type of thing either, but why should that stop others posting, reading and commenting on it if they do like it?
There is nothing offensive there, what I do not understand is the need to make comment to pull it down, if you don't like it just don't read it, it's really simple saves your time plus saves upset on all sides.
There is no need to spoil it for other people!

To be perfectly honest I am not overly keen on that type of thing either, but why should that stop others posting, reading and commenting on it if they do like it?

Of course it shouldn't! I wouldn't dream of suggesting it.

There is nothing offensive there

That's a matter of opinion!

, what I do not understand is the need to make comment to pull it down, if you don't like it just don't read it, it's really simple saves your time plus saves upset on all sides.
There is no need to spoil it for other people!

Me saying it's a pile of cack doesn't spoil it for anyone anymore than a vegetarian saying they don't like meats puts me off my bacon sandwich.

Me saying it's a pile of cack doesn't spoil it for anyone anymore than a vegetarian saying they don't like meats puts me off my bacon sandwich.

Hmm well if you say so :D
Anyway lets leave it now then shall we, we've all had our say and let the thread get back on topic.

Well I'll remember not to bother posting anything like this again!! :lol:

Will stick to the dog boards where those who don't like it don't comment but it's there to share with those who do.

And the whole thing doesn't turn into a debate over what makes for good reading and what should or shouldn't be posted :rolleyes:

Well I'll remember not to bother posting anything like this again!! :lol:

Will stick to the dog boards where those who don't like it don't comment but it's there to share with those who do.

And the whole thing doesn't turn into a debate over what makes for good reading and what should or shouldn't be posted :rolleyes:

Phew! Thank goodness! :)

Well I'll remember not to bother posting anything like this again!! :lol:

Will stick to the dog boards where those who don't like it don't comment but it's there to share with those who do.

And the whole thing doesn't turn into a debate over what makes for good reading and what should or shouldn't be posted :rolleyes:

Nah lots of people like it so why shouldn't you post it? you keep posting and contributing to the group :thumbsup:

Ohhhh please keep posting i didnt mind reading it, it was a lovelly story no matter what anyone else thinks lol.