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“Oh I’m a lucky dog … Oh I’m a lucky dog! Hi Ho the dairy – o – I’m a lucky dog,” Reagan sang to the tune of Farmer in the Dell as he ran at top speed past his Mommy and around the flower bed so she could not catch him. The small white dog loved this game his Mommy often played with him.
Reagan was a happy little Maltese who belonged to a loving family. He considered himself one lucky puppy. Reagan spent many hours in his big back yard … rolling in the cool plush grass … chasing butterflies … sniffing flowers …
He had the best of everything. The best dog food … an assortment of treats that made him feel like a kid in a candy store. And Reagan never tired playing with his many toys!
Reagan’s Mommy worked as a nurse in a doctor’s office and sometimes Reagan accompanied her to the office. He enjoyed greeting people in the waiting room. It made Reagan feel good to put a smile on the face of someone who was sick. Reagan loved all people and people loved him too! The doctors would even stop during their busy day to play with Reagan!
But Reagan knew there was something missing in his life. “I want to serve my country!” After all, he was named after the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan and his own Daddy served in the Air Force.
Reagan asked his best friend Cuiji, “What do you think I can I do for my country?” Cuiji was a very old and wise small poodle but could be very grumpy when awakened from a nap. “Look pup. Why do you want to do something like that? I taught you everything you need to know – like how to sniff out other dogs, how to mark your territory in the neighborhood, and how to beg for treats. What more is there to do?”
Reagan shyly said, “I… I want to have adventures and meet … new people.” Cuiji, not wanting to discourage his friend, said “ Well .. I have found all my adventures in my own back yard but you go and mark new territories. Just remember I will always be proud of you no matter what you do.”
Reagan happily barked and waged his tale as he ran down the street to talk to his good friend Jake. Jake was in the house but Jake’s sister opened the door for Reagan. “Jake, I need to talk to you. I want to do something to serve my country but I don’t know how. What do you think?”
Jake was a handsome Golden Retriever that was much taller and older than Reagan. “Let’s take a walk little one.” The two friends went outside and walked around the neighborhood. Jake listened quietly and only stopped to sniff mailboxes and lift his leg. It started to rain so Reagan walked underneath his tall friend to stay dry. Reagan was young but not stupid enough to stand in the rain and get wet.
“So what do you think Jake?” Reagan asked.
Jake replied in his serene voice, “I have heard tales of dogs working for the military. I have not actually met any myself but my human Father said that the dogs are given a military rank. ”
Reagan imagined himself in his mind’s eye, wearing the rank of a Sergeant, standing next to the American flag, paw raised and taking the oath to protect his country. His little heart swelled with pride!
“That gives me an idea! Thanks Jake!” Reagan said as he ran into the rain with a smile as bright as the sun.
Reagan hopped on a bus. The rain stopped by the time he arrived at the local Air Force Base. There was a long line of cars waiting to get into the main gate. A guard was checking in the people one at a time.
Reagan saw the opening at the side of the gate. “Oh this must be the dog entrance,” he thought as he happily and without being noticed, walked onto the base.
He sniffed the air and tracked the scent of other dogs until he found the Military Dog Office. It was a nice big kennel with a big yard and a large obstacle course to play. Reagan’s eyes twinkled! “Wow! I like this place already! This is where I want to be!”
There was a group of German Shepherds relaxing in the grass. Master Sgt. Max, the leader of the pack, approached Reagan. In a deep gruff bark he asked, “Who are you and what are you doing here? How did you get in? This is a restricted area!” Master Sgt Max’s large head was lowered with his large nose right in Reagan’s face! Why, the big dog’s head alone was the size of the little dog’s entire body!
Reagan, too happy to notice that Master Sgt Max was trying to intimidate him and chase him away from the area, “Excuse me Sir. Could you please tell me how I can sign up to be a military dog like you?”
Master Sgt Max was not sure whether to laugh at the little dog or give him a good sharp bark to chase him away. “You are too small to be a military dog. What ever gave you the idea you could be one of us?”
Reagan said, “I can run faster than most dogs” as he ran fast circles around the other dogs.
“I can crawl on my belly in combat!” and Reagan demonstrated how he crawled in the grass. He did this many times in his own big back yard because the grass felt so good on his belly.
“And my Mom says I am a stealth dog because I can quietly sneak up behind people and hide behind them”.
Dogs all over the world follow the rules of nature. They like being members of a pack and there is always a leader of a pack. It is the lead dog’s job to set an example and decide who can be a member of the pack and who can not.
Master Sgt Max was the pack leader in that yard and so followed the dog rule book on how to exclude an undesirable dog. Master Sgt Max simply walked away and never looked at Reagan again.
Reagan started to tremble “What’s wrong? Why can’t I join?”
The other dogs followed their leader and walked past Reagan. They could have teased but they were too well trained in military manners to do something like that. But like people there is always one bad apple and Staff Sgt Brutus sneered, “You are too little. You are nothing more than a lap dog! Go home to your Mommy!”
Reagan’s heart was broken. His head lowered and his curly plume tail turned down as he tried to hold back the tears. Soon a shadow fell over him which surely must have been the mean dog ready to pounce upon him.
Tech Sgt Kramer stood over Reagan and snapped at the mean dog, “Brutus! Leave the little dog alone!” He spoke politely to Reagan, “I am sorry little one. You were very brave to come here and you were not afraid of Max’s gruff bark. But our jobs are to sniff, guard and attack. I think your talents would be better used as a spy dog.”
“A spy dog!” In his mind’s eye Reagan imagined himself wearing a trench coat, a hat pulled over his fluffy white ears, and of course, doggie goggles. Yes! As a spy dog he could still serve his country! “And Tech Sgt Kramer said I was brave!” gushed Reagan.
Unbeknown to Reagan, a human officer in charge of the military dogs observed the interactions in the kennel. He picked up the phone and started dialing a number.
With renewed hope and a more realistic dream, he ran to the airport for the first flight to Washington DC! Reagan arrived at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hopeful he would soon start his training as a spy. He entered the front door by following a man with rather large feet. Reagan approached the guard at the front desk.
“Excuse me sir, where do I apply to be a spy dog?” The guard looked amused but also surprised! How did this dog get into a high security building?
Reagan demonstrated his abilities as he said, “I can run fast! I can crawl on my belly like a soldier! I can sneak up on people quietly! And, I have been told that I am brave!”
The guard responded, “You are a very cute puppy but I am sorry to tell you that we do not hire dogs at the CIA. You must leave. Out you go!” The guard picked him up in one hand, ruffled his head and escorted him out the door.
Reagan started to walk away slowly with his head lowered and his plumed curly tail down. The sad little dog was not aware that someone was spying on him from a security camera! The spy watched Reagan walk away and then made a phone call to someone secret.
Reagan cheered up at home when he was greeted by his family and friends. They missed him! Everyone was running in circles and jumping up and down. Reagan knew he was a lucky dog! Although he was sad he could not find a job serving his country, Reagan believed his special talents could be used everywhere to help others!
Now Reagan was unaware that the President of the United States was receiving many calls! There were calls from patients, calls from doctors and nurses, a call from an Air Force officer, and a call from a mysterious person at the CIA. Why even the First Dog received messages from military dogs. They all told the same story of a little white dog.
One day Reagan received a special invitation. “Oh I’m a lucky dog … Oh I’m a lucky dog! Hi Ho the dairy – o – I’m a lucky dog.” Reagan sang this song when he was invited to the White House!
While Reagan was waiting for his appointment with the President – he decided to take a tour of the White House. No one noticed the little white dog as he blended into the white floors and white walls of the White House. There were pictures of all the past presidents … pictures of the wives – called the “First Ladies”. Reagan wondered, “Where are the pictures of the First Dogs?”
“There you are!” a stately voice said. Reagan looked up into the face of the President of the United States! The nice man bent down and gently picked Reagan up into his arms. Let’s go into the Oval Office. That is where I conduct my business”.
The President sat Reagan on the desk in front of him. “Reagan, let me get to the point. I believe that everyone has the right to serve their country to the best of their abilities. I have heard a lot about you from people all over the country and they briefed me on all your special abilities.”
Reagan watched the distinguished man quietly and seriously. The President continued, “The people at the Pentagon work for me and they have a very important job in helping to protect our great country. I want to help make their job a little more pleasant.”
The President looked directly into Reagan’s eyes and smiled, “Reagan, your special ability is that you make people happy! Will you be my Ambassador to the Pentagon?”
Reagan’s heart did flip flops! He was so excited he forgot himself and jumped up and gave the President a nice wet kiss!
“Well you are most welcome!” said the President.
There was a big celebration on Reagan’s first day on the job. Bands were playing! Flags were waving! There were crowds of people waving at him! The President greeted him outside the Pentagon and placed around his neck an official medal of an Ambassador! In the crowds were his friends Cuiji and Jake barking their approval! Even Master Sgt Max, Staff Sgt Brutus, and Tech Sgt Kramer stood at attention out of respect for Reagan.
As days and months went by Reagan always reported for duty in the early morning so he could be the first one there to greet the staff of the Pentagon. The very serious faces soon turned to smiles when they saw Reagan!
Reagan always was wearing his Ambassador medal as his rank and in bad weather he wore his trench coat with his hat pulled over his ears. On sunny days he wore his doggie goggles. And he was always singing,“Oh I’m a lucky dog … Oh I’m a lucky dog! Hi Ho the dairy – o – I’m a lucky dog.”
Reagan was proud that he achieved a dream. Even when others made fun of him Reagan kept trying. And now he is the Ambassador to the Pentagon!
But Reagan had other dreams as well. Maybe he can influence the White House to have a portrait gallery of the First Dogs! Well, that will have to be another story …
The End
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