Fan crushes. Rock and roll reunions.
“You know, I know all the words to all of your songs. My smile is certainly as cute as that 14-year-old Priscilla Wagner’s.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Out maneuvered.
Scrapbook found. With a flourish, placed on the table: ticket stubs, photos, crumbling newspaper articles, flattened coke cup.
“Hmmm. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Joplin, Grateful Dead…”
Our arguments escaped like air out of a balloon
“…and 13th Floor Elevators at Luuuuuuv Street Light Circus.”
They were local. Not near as lurid as parents imagined.
Sigh.
Despite dire warnings of 100 degree heat, long lines, and bored celebrities, she bounced all over the back seat the whole way. Quietly mouthing”I’m going. You’re not” to cars we passed.
“Oh, he looked right at me! I’ll wear these contacts forever.”(USPDCommons.wikimedia.org)
We exchanged glances.
Please don’t let him be so jaded that he simply rolls his eyes at her and quickly turns to the next one in line. He’s easily twice her age.
Needless worry.
Not the Harry Potter experience, but enough magic for her.
A real pro behind his soft brown eyes.
“l was in the same room as them. We breathed the same air. My life is complete.” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Happy chatter on the return trip home.
“He puppy bowed. To me. Puppy bowed!
He put out his paw. I put out mine. We footsied!
Oreo didn’t do that with that just-groomed German Shepherd. Just a polite sniff for that one.
We shoulder bumped!
He has a tattoo in his ear! He let me sniff it. Can I have a tattoo in my ear?
Sigh.
Not one to take no for an answer. (After all, he did puppy bow.)
She tried to wiggle an invitation to the Dock Dog pool with him, but even celebrity dogs need some relaxed solo R&R away from the enthusiastic fans.
“More adoring fans. Isn’t it break time yet? The Dock Dog Pool out front: so near yet so far….” Yet, Oreo knows so many are depending on him delivering their message. (And you can see Molly’s feet dancing in the background.)©
Now we deal with the dreams and realities:
“Can he come over?
What about his friends that just arrived in town? They need some new digs. We have extra room on the couch.
Don’t answer yet. Listen, they are good dogs not asking for heaven. Just a quiet place, cuddles, and stability. In fact they don’t ask at all, just hope…
Email them. Nooooow nowww, Mom. RC cat won’t mind. They are dog heroes. And some are waiting.”
First batch of 3 dogs from Eastern Securities Corp in Kuwait last week. Now in Houston. The two dogs below arrived stateside last night. On the way here. Much thanks to Kuwait and Eastern Securities for their assistance. (Both images from MissionK9Rescue)
And it’s true. Our hero dogs are coming home – slowly.
Did you know in some places there’s a bounty of $250 for a sliced off dog ear with a tattoo? Military canines are so good at their jobs of finding explosives and protecting soldiers, they are that feared and targeted.
The military is dragging its’ heels about their plans to return and re-home their canine veterans even though it’s the law now. Military being not able or willing to find mandated solutions.
Contractors are working with groups like Mission K9 Rescue to get their dogs back stateside.
Currently 3 dogs at a time are accompanying one human and flying home as “excess baggage” at a cost of $800.00. Then regular civilians are stepping up to help foster and transport dogs to former handlers and to their forever homes.
Yes, costly. But these dogs bravely protected and never questioned.
They save lives.
A scratch on the ears and a tennis ball was thanks enough.
But it’s really not
Leave none behind.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
See the recent news and arrivals: Mission K9 Rescue on Facebook or website.
Check out fostering possibilities, adoption forms and process, some lovely dogs needing to hitch a ride, assisting transport to former handlers, or send a dog toy – a welcome home tennis ball or supplies. And of, course, they always welcome donations of any amount all year round. (Remember: bbeware of scammers!)
“Hey, I know the place and pack. Let me introduce him around the splash pad. He said it was OK and he’d love a dock diving partner. Oh, I know, Mom. Stop inviting myself along. But he’s so cool…Well, he will be once in the pool! Now about me getting a tattoo.”©
Discover more from Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
19 Comments
Comments are closed.
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
Fostering a dog is such a great thing to do. Over here, greyhounds who have lived lives as race dogs are frequently unwanted when they can’t run any more. Some day I plan to give one a home.
LikeLike
Greyhounds are also a at risk. They finally closed a dog track near here. The local Greyhound rescue group was thrilled. Beautiful dogs with great personalities who deserve better than abandonment because they just didn’t run that day. (PS You’ll love one as a pet – such couch potatoes and so stylish on walks!) Thanks for joining the pack here
LikeLike
How many pooches are there coming back from overseas Phil?
That Lab looks sad.
LikeLike
You noticed Oreo’s long suffering expression, too – He’s 11 yrs – and he knew his dock diving/swim session was next. He was ready to get up and do something. He and Molly were really swirling and leaping, but wheh I asked to take a few pictures and Bob told him to “down”, Oreo just sighed and tuned out. Dogs just wanna have fun!
The number of dogs being left behind is staggering. Original numbers for that one security contractor was 90 dogs, but now that the rescue group has had people on site, they say the number is under that, but still – so many. Logistics is quite complicated.And then there are the US military dogs who need the brass in DC to focus. Renaming battleships is nice, but vets – including the dogs – need some action and the mandates/laws honored. The pups aren’t dreaming of Heaven – and don’t wish to see it soon – they just want a bit of peace and quiet and a tennis ball or two.
Hope you are making better than expected progress yourself ( will be back on line this afternoon and will search for your post – and those snacks!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Paul send me a link to your post on Mark’s site. For some reason, I can’t find you/him. Thanks
LikeLike
I did a lot of fostering in the past. It’s a wonderful thing… and sometimes a challenge. And of course, I had one foster failure – Mr. T. I don’t think anyone would have adopted him with all of his social issues. He’s good here and comfortable – even if every day is a new day for him! Ha ha! These dogs deserve a good life. I’m so glad folks are bringing them home… and I love your ending, “Leave None Behind”. Well said!
LikeLike
Sometimes orphans end up exactlywhere they belong…it just took them a whle to arrive there. Molly went through 3 homes before us. She was pretty wild once her health issues were fixed and she got some food in her…feral wolf is an understatement.So appreciative you step up to foster orphans on the home front. Hopefully others will make room for a dog that will be forever grateful. Paw salute!
LikeLike
It’s great to hear about the dogs — although things are moving more slowly than they should, at least they’re moving. But I nearly spit out my coffee when I got to the 13th Floor Elevators. You do know that they live on in one of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s songs, don’t you? I’d link it here, except — well, it’s a Ray Wylie Hubbard song. As he says, the problem with irony is that not everyone “gets it.” Check your email. 🙂
LikeLike
HA! A fan. I was thrilled to find the video (and that email) – we still have an album. Somehow the group/song seemed to work in tandem with the dogs’ plight. I’m with Oreo, though, about this heat – time for the pool! Thanks for pawsing to comment
LikeLike
Hey you know my views already. Too many dogs needing not enough homes. So sad. Hope these hard working dogs come home safely to furever homes. Hey Molly, maybe just one huh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure RC will be patriotic enough to allow one to visit for a while.
LikeLike
RC is considering and has said “Maybe a tired one that sleeps most of the time would be acceptable” (Like it would make a difference as HRH sleeps most of the time.) Thanks for barking along
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch, what a huge reality check, poor pups! I had no idea about the bounty on our four-legged military. I knew their dedication, and now it’s our turn, “Leave none behind.” Great post, Phil, I’m tweeting it to share.
LikeLike
It is our turn to live up to the bargain. Really appreciate the assist. Each year this group has been able to raise more money and bring more and more dogs home to reunite with handlers or to find a bit of peace and quiet with a forever home. Great paws applaud! Hope things are going smoothly there. Thanks again for supporting the pups
LikeLike
definitely kudos to you! I was involved with fund raising for K9 police vests a few years back. always desire to support our furry friends 🙂
LikeLike
Dogs are thinking fondly of you, too. Those vests are more important than ever now. Did you know there’s a big shortage (and bidding war) for qualified puppies and dogs trained for police/security work? Dogs work. (and some are searching shelters for dogs with the proper attitude and training abilities. Win-win with that idea!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I’ve been sorely out of the loop, so I had no idea of the shortage. Gosh, there’s always heart tugs, isn’t there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Weeping Phil. I love that Molly had a chance to meet her hero. Not sure she needs a tattoo though. I hope they can all come home and live out life in peace. I was wondering, do you think they suffer from Post Traumatic Stress like their human counterparts? There must be some lingering affects, no?
LikeLike
ALl of the dogs suffer some level of PTS. Some tolerate it better or longer than others. The miltary vets keep a close eye on the dogs while in service. After 6 1/2 years Orea had had enough and was trembling a lot, so he was sent back to a stateside base and evaluated where her recovered a great deal . For years he was used in evaluating other dogs and teching other dogs and handlers. He’s just turned 11 and is happily retired. A lovely dog and quite playful with Molly. I laughed because when I wanted a picture and he was told to “down and stay” he suddenly became the serious working dog. But he did get to go into the dog dock pool to swim and chase tennis balls…Molly was sadly looking out the back window as we left. “If we only had a bigger yard,” she whispers. “And you’d have to share all your toys and stay off the couch and bed,” we reply. “Let me think about that,” Molly comments.
Thanks for adding comment certainly to make tails wag!
LikeLiked by 1 person