Wow, again hard to put the past 72 hours into words…..but I will try my best!

Air Force Veteran, Jamie Gorm, contacted Sitggys Dogs about acquiring a dog, a referral from friend and fellow Veteran Terran Frye.  Jamie lives not that far away, and even though he knows he is on the waiting list, he wanted to come to The Barracks. Jamie wanted get a feel of what we are about, visit with his friend Terran, work with our current Boot Camp Dogs and to  volunteer to help do some  work.   I explained our current ‘living’ conditions, and with air mattress in tow, Jamie came on down. Jamie instantly fit right in.

Veterans Terran, Ben and Jamie hung out, walked dogs, cooked food, built a fence,  and played board games.  They shared stories, talked about Doctors, prescriptions, Military, VA Centers and help.  It was the comfortableness of comradely.   Terran was offered 3 Tigers game tickets; an even that each of these guys would not have gone too separately, but together the three was a strong force to reckon with! It was a push of their limits, but they stayed all game and  came home with a Tiger skull cap!

Ben, Terran, Jamie and I took all the dogs to a local Bowling Alley to prepare them for our fundraiser this weekend. Jamie even asked if he could take Stig through, the fact that he asked (and I was there) was all I needed. It was a very busy, crowded, small bowling Alley. Birthday parties were going on, the lanes were full, balls and pins making noise, little kids pointing and yelling….We all walked through, in a line, perfectly!!! GOOOOOOO Stiggy’s Dogs!

It was also the ‘little’ things that didn’t go unnoticed: like the pride I felt when Ben and Jamie took all the dogs out for a walk themselves! Ben feeling confident to do so, all while he explained to Jamie loose leash walking….

Jamie and Stiggy became fast friends. Stiggy followed Jamey around looking for some love, which Jamie was happy to give! Stig took over as his dog for the weekend; they played together and slept together! One night of having Jamie at The Barracks and we all knew he was a snorer! I was worried that Stig wouldn’t sleep with him because of the loud obnoxious noises that came from that room. But to my surprise Stig showed us yet again why we call him Super-Star.  Stig lay with Jamie as they watched a movie before falling asleep. Jamie petting Stig continuously and rhythmically. Once Jamie fell asleep Stig went to the foot of the bed and curled up……until Jamie had a nightmare. Jamie said he was woken up from the nightmare by Stig nudging his nose on Jamie’s hand. Jamie, already in a pool of sweat, and Stiggy licking his hand! Stig was doing his ‘job’, knowing something wasn’t right……

Terran with Hershey, Ben with Stella and Jamie all headed out one night to play some pool at a local VFW Hall. An older veteran there struck up a conversation with Terran, this Vietnam Veteran Marine Dog Handler, told Terran of how he rescued a German Shepherd awhile ago and gave her to a rescue group that was training her for Veterans.  I remember the call like it was yesterday, this Animal Control Officer who that called me to save a German Shepherds life. Telling me that the dog should have been euthanized and he wanted to give her a chance.  Stiggys Dogs rescued that dog, named her Stella and paired her with Ben. Here they sit, face to face with the man who made it all possible. Amazing, truly amazing….

During our weekend festivities, Donna was traveling to help the transition/reuniting Tiger and Jamey. We were coordinating the efforts of the Pilots Rock Skowbo / Jane Wicker, Jamey’s wife Shawna, Tiger, the weather, etc.  I sat all day Sunday watching the red blip of the fight tracker, waiting in anticipation.  Sunday evening the plane landed with Tiger safe and sound! Yes, I cried, again!

Another weekend highlight?  A game of Apples to Apples. We laughed so hard my stomach still hurts! Next to dogs……laughter really is the best medicine….