Words Unspoken, Stories Untold

by Jo Albertson, HOTLR volunteer and guest blogger

After her first Web-Blast for help, Tracy Spader of Lambertville, Michigan was getting discouraged. No one was willing to help her get more information about a dog she was hoping to adopt. Desperate, she sent out a second message. This time Heart of Texas Lab Rescue answered her call for help. Serving Central Texas and the San Antonio area, Heart of Texas Lab (HOTLR) has volunteers experienced in evaluating dogs and was willing to provide this service for her. But even they weren’t quite prepared for the story that unfolded after contacting Tracy.

Imagine entering into our Armed Forces at age 14 and serving until age 70. That’s the story of Buddy, the Chesapeake Bay retriever. Entering the service in 2002 and completing extensive training, Buddy now had a job. He was a TSA trained dog to find bombs. In 2005, Buddy was deployed to San Juan, Puerto Rico to begin his assignment. Being a member of the Working Class dogs, he performed for years willingly, without fail….no questions asked. In February 2010, it became apparent the Buddy needed medical attention. He was flown to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas where a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital is located. After a thorough examination, Buddy was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, (the single most common cause of arthritis in the hips due to malformation of the hip joint) and so he was retired immediately. No more job. No longer a working dog for the United States Military. He served his country like all of our soldiers, completing his tour of duty with respect and honor. But unlike many soldiers, there is no parade, no flying flags, or family awaiting him with smiles, hugs and kisses. Buddy may just silently slip away with a pat on the head and a few scratches behind his ears for a job well done. This is where people like Tracy are stepping in to bring awareness to the thousands of dogs like Buddy who are serving our country.

Hundreds of dogs come through Lackland AFB annually for medical examinations from all over the world. These canine soldiers are handled with the utmost care like any of our men and woman in the service. Many of these dogs will be retired due to age or medical reasons. What next? Lackland has a team of Adoption Coordinators working hard with people all over the country who have expressed an interest in adopting these dogs. Tracy has a son in the Air Force, and to her, Buddy is a veteran and deserves to live the rest of his life, comfortable, safe, and loved. She needed experienced individuals to evaluate Buddy because she has two dogs of her own and wanted to be sure that bringing Buddy into her home would not cause her dogs or Buddy any distress. Heart of Texas Lab Rescue volunteers, Jo Albertson and Karen Engelland, a certified Dog Trainer went to Lackland AFB to do just that. In a few weeks, Buddy will be on yet another plane, but this time he is not being deployed to another assignment, but rather flown to Detroit to meet his forever family and enjoy the rest of his life….as a Dog.

HOTLR would like to thank volunteers Jo Albertson, Karen Engelland, Onion Creek Kennels of Buda, Texas, the veterinary hospital at Lackland Air Force Base and of course, Tracy Spader for giving this deserving canine soldier the dignity and love he deserves.