Read Online A Dog With a Destiny by Isabel George - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Isabel George
Ads: Link
All the time he was wondering how he could put his friend through this task. She had to cover sixty feet from start to finish. But a quick check on her as he looked down the pipe reassured him that she was fine and heading in his direction. ‘Come Smoky, come! Come on, baby, come on!’ he called. The string was still being fed through the tunnel so the men knew she was still moving ahead. Then, suddenly, Bill saw the amber of Smoky’s eyes just a few feet away. ‘Atta girl! Atta girl,’ Bill shouted. ‘She’s here!’
Breaking into a run, Smoky threw herself into Bill’s outstretched arms. Sergeant Gapp hurried over and pulled more of the line through before cutting Smoky free. Smoky had been promised a steak if she made it through the pipe and within a minute of Smoky emerging from the pipe, Gapp was on his way to fetch it for her. If ever a dog deserved a steak, it was this dog. Smoky’s action that day was a supreme addition to the war effort and the moment she accomplished her task Bill was aware that his dog’s status in the Pacific had been catapulted from mascot to war dog.
As war dog and all-round celebrity, Smoky was able to draw in big crowds whenever Bill put on one of his shows. With the help of his buddies, Bill constructed a small stage from bamboo and palm leaves for the performances which ran before or sometimes after the main picture at the camp cinema. Walking the tightrope, rolling along on the oil drum, playing dead were all part of Smoky’s repertoire as the raids became less frequent.
But the war was not over. Bill and his colleagues in the photo lab were still working flat out to provide the combined forces spread all over Luzon with prints showing enemy positions. Being one step ahead of the enemy was always the plan for regaining the Philippines from the Japanese and consequently many battles were fought and many lives lost on both sides in the process. It was a war of great personal loss and great tragedy. The sanctuary of the environment during its peaceful moments was the salvation of many. The sunsets and the balmy evenings became treasured parts of the day.
Bill asked the local seamstress to make some additions to Smoky’s coat: ‘Smoky Champion Yank Mascot SWPA 1944’ was added with a blank patch beside it for any future campaigns. A local carpenter was tasked to make a platform, ladder and sliding board for Smoky’s performance. The mahogany pieces were a genuine work of art. And so was the artistry of the squadron painter who continued the circus theme to match the other pieces Bill had brought with him from Biak, but this time adding the insignia of the 26th Photo Recon Squadron which featured Donald Duck in a red flying helmet and yellow scarf on a cloud perch shooting with an aerial camera. Walt Disney had personally donated this design for the squadron. Smoky now had a full range of circus-themed equipment – now all she needed was a costume. For that, Bill had to look no further than the seamstress who rustled up a clown costume and others from remnants of a parachute.
Smoky was a very clever dog and that was not always evident from her stage act. It was the little things she did which impressed Bill more. If she was thirsty she would go over to the bag of drinking water in the centre of the squadron area and then catch the first passerby. By running between the man and the water and barking at the water bag she always managed to get her drink. Bill was very happy for Smoky to be everyone’s friend but he dissuaded people from teaching her new tricks as he did not want her to be confused over who was her master. In Bill’s mind, discipline was his territory alone and on more than one occasion her training saved her life. One day, when she was following another dog over a road, he came within inches of losing her. Fortunately she reacted immediately to Bill’s very loud, ‘Stand! Stay!’ And the truck rumbled by without doing anyone any harm. But it was a close
Breaking into a run, Smoky threw herself into Bill’s outstretched arms. Sergeant Gapp hurried over and pulled more of the line through before cutting Smoky free. Smoky had been promised a steak if she made it through the pipe and within a minute of Smoky emerging from the pipe, Gapp was on his way to fetch it for her. If ever a dog deserved a steak, it was this dog. Smoky’s action that day was a supreme addition to the war effort and the moment she accomplished her task Bill was aware that his dog’s status in the Pacific had been catapulted from mascot to war dog.
As war dog and all-round celebrity, Smoky was able to draw in big crowds whenever Bill put on one of his shows. With the help of his buddies, Bill constructed a small stage from bamboo and palm leaves for the performances which ran before or sometimes after the main picture at the camp cinema. Walking the tightrope, rolling along on the oil drum, playing dead were all part of Smoky’s repertoire as the raids became less frequent.
But the war was not over. Bill and his colleagues in the photo lab were still working flat out to provide the combined forces spread all over Luzon with prints showing enemy positions. Being one step ahead of the enemy was always the plan for regaining the Philippines from the Japanese and consequently many battles were fought and many lives lost on both sides in the process. It was a war of great personal loss and great tragedy. The sanctuary of the environment during its peaceful moments was the salvation of many. The sunsets and the balmy evenings became treasured parts of the day.
Bill asked the local seamstress to make some additions to Smoky’s coat: ‘Smoky Champion Yank Mascot SWPA 1944’ was added with a blank patch beside it for any future campaigns. A local carpenter was tasked to make a platform, ladder and sliding board for Smoky’s performance. The mahogany pieces were a genuine work of art. And so was the artistry of the squadron painter who continued the circus theme to match the other pieces Bill had brought with him from Biak, but this time adding the insignia of the 26th Photo Recon Squadron which featured Donald Duck in a red flying helmet and yellow scarf on a cloud perch shooting with an aerial camera. Walt Disney had personally donated this design for the squadron. Smoky now had a full range of circus-themed equipment – now all she needed was a costume. For that, Bill had to look no further than the seamstress who rustled up a clown costume and others from remnants of a parachute.
Smoky was a very clever dog and that was not always evident from her stage act. It was the little things she did which impressed Bill more. If she was thirsty she would go over to the bag of drinking water in the centre of the squadron area and then catch the first passerby. By running between the man and the water and barking at the water bag she always managed to get her drink. Bill was very happy for Smoky to be everyone’s friend but he dissuaded people from teaching her new tricks as he did not want her to be confused over who was her master. In Bill’s mind, discipline was his territory alone and on more than one occasion her training saved her life. One day, when she was following another dog over a road, he came within inches of losing her. Fortunately she reacted immediately to Bill’s very loud, ‘Stand! Stay!’ And the truck rumbled by without doing anyone any harm. But it was a close
Similar Books
