THE TALE OF A DOG’S LIFE

by Kaizuko

You know, I’m one of those dogs that believe in the stars, mostly because I was born under a lucky star. I’m sure you’ll be convinced if you’ll hear me out.

I remember very little of my childhood(.or should I say puppy hood? I was born in the Japanese City of Kure and spent the first several weeks of my life romping through back alleys and trying to stay out of the old Hibachi pots. A dog has got to learn to move fast in Japan if he expects to grow to full Doghood.

Well, as I remember it, it was a cold night in early October and I was wandering along the street with a wary eye, when two strange looking people in blue suits with little white hats on their heads came walking along behind me. You can imagine my complete surprise when one of them suddenly picked me up. Let me tell you I was terrified! The two of them looked me over and then whispered to each other. I could hear them but I couldn’t make any sense from their words. They had a very strange dialect ... probably from one of the distant provinces, I told myself. Anyway they smiled an un-hungry smile at me and I felt a bit better.

The next thing I knew, these fellows were walking off with me toward the Navy Yard. They were laughing and I heard them mention something about a Quarterdeck and Oh-Dee, whatever they are. When we were about three or four hundred yards from the water, one of them suddenly shoved me inside his coat. Well, right then and there I figured they weren’t going to get me without a fight, so I squirmed and bit and gave that fellow a real bad time. Then just as suddenly they pulled me out and I was inside a small room with a lot of guys staring at me and laughing and talking about pulling wool over the Oh-Dee, whatever that is. Next thing I knew they were feeding me and petting me. Maybe not such a bad deal after all I thought.

The rest is current history. I found out that I was on an American Destroyer and how I found out! Let me tell you I was one sick pup until I got my sea legs under me. Now, of course, I’m an old salt. I can climb ladders and hold my own in the roughest seas. The crew has arranged for my return to their home port with them and they’ve even bought me a uniform of my own with all the trimmings. Right now there aren’t many trees around but I even heard them talking about fixing that soon. I wish I could tell them all how much I appreciate what they’ve done for me ... but who ever heard of a dog talking???

Now you see why I believe in the stars, especially that lucky star of mine. Of course, I expect you all to keep this strictly between you and me and the palm tree. Oh those beautiful palm trees after all these months at sea! Yep, I found a real Home in the Navy.