Perhaps then it's no surprise when I visited the Island of Guam on my fairwell tour in the Navy, I came across this small memorial tucked away in a grove of trees on the Naval Station in Agana.
Here lies 24 beloved dogs who died during the invasion of Guam in 1944. What's so interesting after 60 years is how people still come by to this lonely little plot of land bringing everything from boxes of milk bones to chew toys, doggie blankets, family pictures and letters of love.
Letters....like one from a great grandchild..."Thank you for saving my grampa."
or "4 legs, 2 legs all are Marine legs." or a photo of a puppy with the words.."Named for you Arno."
It chokes you up, it brought me to tears, 60 years and still people come and give their blessings, their love, their offerings to the silent sentinal who sits awaiting some command, his head up and level in faith, his ears purked with anticipation, his body a rock of obidiant strength.
Gone but yet still beloved, the power of our pets is indeed quite fantastic.
To my beloved german shepherd Astro from my childhood...I haven't forgotten you pal.
