street reach 2013

street reach 2013

The Story of Tank

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 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 band new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed latter 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 gibe 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 command 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 or 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 the 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 go so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone 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 form the shelter. I tossed the pan in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the 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 sew the sealed envelope. I had completey forgotten about that, too "Okay, Reggie I said out loud, "let's see if you 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 writhing 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 pan 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 La 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 tow 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 so it by any roads. I made the mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Nest, 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 you hand straight up; and "over" if you put you hand out right or left. "shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. he does "down" when he feels like laying down- I bet you could work of 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 a 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 know.

finally, hive 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 in you daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. he just lobes 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 way I need to share on 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 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 gibing 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, mabe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word form 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 there 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 too downright depressing, even though, frankly, im  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 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.

"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 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 tor from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

and when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.



I found this story on pinterest

how to install a Southern home security system

1.Go to Goodwill and buy a pair of size 14-16 men's work boots.

2.Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns &Ammo magazine.

3. Put four giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.

4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Bubba,
me and Marcel, Donnie Ray and Jimmy Earl went for more ammo and beer. Be back in an hour. Don't mass with the pit bulls. they got the mailman this morning and messed him up bad. I don't think killer took part, but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em  in the house. Better wait outside.be right back .

Cooter





Haha the things you find on Pinterest

Disney quotes

Don't you understand? you mean more to me than anything in this whole world! - Peter Pan

It's because I like you , I don't want to be with you , It's a complicated emotion, - finding Nemo

Never say goodbye, because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting -
 Peter Pan

with a friend, any day is an adventure . Any song becomes a symphony - Pooh

Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it - The Lion King

Hakuna Matata. These two words will solve all your problems - The Lion King

I want someone to love me, for me -  Cinderella

If you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you, though. I remember everyone who leaves - Lilo & Stitch

sometimes the thing that you're looking for , you can't see with your eyes. you have to see them with your heart - Peter Pan


Perhaps, someday the dreams that I wish will come true - Cinderalla

Never underestimate the power of a big heart - Piglet

Whoever finds a friend, finds a treasure - Cars

Ohana means family.......family means nobody gets left behind. for forgotten - Lilo

Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become. Remember who you are -The Lion King

This is my family. I found it, all on my own. It's little, and broken, but still good. yeah, still good. -Lilo & Stitch

Bible Drill 2013

Quotation Verses
1.genesis 12:3
and i will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

2. Exodus 4:11-12
 And the Lord said unto him, who hath made man's mouth?or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing,, or the blind? have not i the Lord? now therefore go, and i will be with thy mouth and teach tee what thou shalt say.

3.Deuteronomy 4:7
for what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

4.Job 19:25
For i know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

5.Psalm 23:1-3
the lord is my shepherd; i shall not want. he maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. he restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

6. Proverbs 20:1
wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived therby is not wise.

7. Matthew 1:18 now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

8.Mark 13:32-33
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angles which are in heaven, neither the son, but the Father take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

9.Luke 6:31-33
And as ye would that man should do to you, so ye also to them likewise. for if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love  those that love them.and if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

10. John 8:31-32
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my sisciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

11. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, i am the way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

12. Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the lord shall be saved.

13. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the vlouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. wherefore comfort one another with these words.

14.Hebrews 10:16
This is the covenant that i will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, i will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will i write them.

15.1 John 1:9
if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Bible answers verses

Who does the earth belong to?
Exodus 19:5

where doses knowledge begin?
proverbs 1:7

how are we like sheep?
Isaiah 53:6

where will God write his law?
Jeremiah 31:33

What dose God desire?
Hosea 6:6

who is the resurrection ?
Jon 11:25

How can i bear fruit?
john 15:5

what is eternal life?
John 17:3

what does God think of marriage?
Hebrews 13:4

can  be forgiven?
1 John 1:9

key passages

1. Joseph flees immorality:
Genesis 39:1-20

2. walls of Jericho fall:
Joshua 6

3.God speaks to the boy Samuel:
1 Samuel 3

4. Esther approaches the king:
Esther 5:1-8

5. A Psalm of praise:
psalm 100

6. the sermon on the mount:
Matthew 5-7

7. the Parable of the ten virgins:
Matthew 25:1-13

8. the birth of Jesus:
Luke 2:1-7

9. Jesus and Nicodemus:
 John 3;1-21

10. The love chapter:
1 Corinthians 13

Cruise