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Sam
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Sam |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697
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Roger wasn’t very happy about the idea of fighting in Vietnam. After all, what did anything over there have to do with America? But then again, he wasn’t the type to hop in a VW van and drive to Washington to protest it. He came from a family of high esteem, and he knew he had to go as soon as he got his draft card. So he went. He hadn’t been over there for a month before he was chosen to be a dog handler. This idea didn’t sit well with him, either. He knew that these dogs did their job well, too well. The opposing army offered rewards for the patch from a handler’s uniform, or for the tattooed ear of a “war dog”. He also knew how dangerous it could be, searching for traps and snipers in the thick jungle. But there was nothing he could do about it. He was going to be a handler, and that’s all there was to it. Roger was paired up with a German Shepherd named Sam. He thought that was a really stupid name for a dog, but he learned that this dog wasn’t as stupid as his name. Through the month and a half of training, he learned a lot about Sam. He learned that he sat up and pricked up his ears when he thought he heard something suspicious. He also learned that his favorite thing to do was gnaw on Roger’s helmet. Roger also grew to love this dog, and started to wonder what he would do without him. After the training was over, they went out with their platoon. They all had to keep their eyes and ears open for enemy traps. Sam saved them from numerous trip wires and land mines. He was also great at picking out snipers. Roger knew to start firing if Sam stared straight ahead at an area of brush with his ears pricked up. Sam saved their lives many times over, and the only things he wanted in return were food, water, and a pat on the head every now and then. Sam and Roger were the best of friends. You never saw one without the other. One day, as they were making their way through the dense jungle, Sam suddenly sat up. Roger saw all of the hair stand up on his body as he stared hard into the brush. Roger immediately started to fire at this spot, only to have the fire returned threefold. The solders behind him began to fire, and Roger and Sam found themselves caught in the crossfire. Sam crawled onto Roger’s neck and put his head on top of his. Roger wondered why Sam was doing this in the middle of combat. He didn’t have time to think about it much at the moment, though. After the firing ceased, Roger reached his hand up to pat Sam on the neck to thank him for another job well done. Roger’s stomach flip-flopped when he felt a gaping whole on the side of the dog’s head. When he withdrew his hand, it was covered in blood. Roger was in disbelief. He lifted Sam off of him and gently laid him down. Sam whimpered and nudged his hand. Roger patted his head as tears ran down his dirt-smeared face. The rest of the platoon surrounded the tragic scene, all of them with tears in their eyes. Roger put his face beside Sam’s and whispered, “You saved my life, boy.” Sam reached up and nudged his helmet off. He gnawed on it for a few seconds, then he looked straight into Roger’s eyes. And then he was just gone. Sam gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and for his best friend. He loved with a love that can only be described as unconditional. He had no reason to love Roger, this reluctant boy that he was thrust upon, but he did. He loved him enough to give his life for him. He was an animal, but he knew more about love in his short life than most of us could hope to learn in a lifetime. And as long as his love lives on in his best friend, Sam can never really die. Roger would take a lot of things home with him from Vietnam, but the one thing he treasured the most was the love of a very special friend. (This piece is dedicated to the thousands of dogs that served in the American army, many of them giving their all for their country and their handlers. Here's to the forgotten heros.) < !signature--> "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde "The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief" -Shakespea [This message has been edited by LoveBug (edited 07-08-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Erica N. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
What a noble tribute my friend! Well written, although such a sad ending...a great eye opener on the fact that not just human soldiers lost their lives..thanks for a wonderful read!  *Krista Knutson* "We are not seperate from spirit, we are in it." ~Plotinus~ |
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DJLI Member
since 2000-06-21
Posts 237TN, USA |
I cannot begin to tell you how much this story touched me...I have three dogs of my own, and love them all very much. This story actually brought tears to my eyes... You have a wonderful talent! I really can't wait to read more from you. EVEN ANGELS FALL. |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Sigh. This is touching lady. It is so easy to forget about those who have done so much about us in the first place. And often others are overlooked. I had never thought about these particular "heroes" before. Thank you for showing me something I hadn't seen! Chris |
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toes21 Junior Member
since 2000-07-09
Posts 24 |
I just wanted you to know that I enjoyed you poem. |
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AVANTI Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE |
I remain touched too lovely work If all was light...then I would have never learnt the dark...from which such truth evolves from which evolves the light... Avanti Rao |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
I never knew the role that animals held in our wars, I had never even heard tell of it. A wonderful tribute you have here for the unsung four-legged heroes that gave themselves up shamelessly. Very touching, indeed. Abrahm Simons "Keep on dreamin' boy 'cause when you stop dreaming it's time to die" - Blind Melon |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
Thank you all for the wonderful replies! Yes, many of our 4-legged friend served in the American army. Many dogs recieved an honorable discharge after WWII, but the dogs that served in Vietnam were left there, given to their army. Abandoned, after they gave so much.  I'm glad that this story brought some of this to light."We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde "The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief" -Shakespea |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
What a touching story about something little heard about, the passing of one's best friend. |
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