Three Dogs at the Squadron Picnic

Summary

During a squadron picnic at Yokota Airforce Base in Japan, a German Shepherd's reaction to seeing his abusive former owner, a Security Police officer, reveals the depth of canine intelligence and emotional complexity.

Abstract

At the annual Squadron picnic on the Kanto Plains of Japan, the author recounts a memorable incident involving their family's dog, Lightening, and two German Shepherds. The day was filled with typical picnic activities until the shift change at the guardhouse when the female German Shepherd, previously abused by a Security Police officer, recognized her former owner and signaled her mate to confront him. The male Shepherd's aggressive response was only halted by his current owners' intervention. This event left a lasting impression on the author, reinforcing the idea that dogs possess a profound understanding and memory, capable of both compassion and a desire for retribution. The author reflects on the intelligence and intuition of dogs, suggesting that humans often underestimate their emotional depth and the importance of recognizing their feelings.

Opinions

Dogs exhibit a level of intelligence and understanding that is often underestimated by humans.
Canine memory and emotional capacity allow them to remember past experiences, including abuse, and react accordingly.
Dogs are capable of complex emotions, such as compassion and mourning, not just for other dogs but for humans as well.
The bond between dogs and their owners can be strong enough to influence a dog's behavior in significant ways.
The author believes that humans miss out on a deeper connection with their dogs by not paying attention to their feelings.

Dogs are smarter than we know

It was a beautiful spring day on the Kanto Plains of Japan. At the time we lived on Yokota Airforce Base, but my dad worked at a remote Installation near the city of Tokorozawa.

As my dad drove through the gatehouse. The first thing we saw was a well-manicured park with restrooms and picnic tables. The area was bustling with activity. Grills were smoking and tables were covered with bowls and plates of food.

It was time for the annual Squadron picnic.

My parents and my siblings and I got out of the van. With our collie Lightening barking right behind us. Lightening looked at me anxiously as I bent down to unhook the leash from his collar.

Lightening took off to join the other dogs as they ran and played with the kids. My siblings and I right behind him.

It was nearing the end of the day. We were sitting at the picnic tables with our parents and Lightening. Sitting with us was an Enlisted man with his wife and their two German Shepherds.

The female German Shepherd was on a leash, but Lightening and the male Shepherd were not.

Everything was mellow until it was time for the shift change at the guardhouse. The female German Shepherd’s previous owner was a Security policeman.

He abused her. That’s why she was on the leash. She saw the cops leave the guardhouse to get in a car to head back to Base.

She looked at her mate and gave the order. “ Woof” The male jumped up and ran toward the Security Police growling with his teeth bared.

If his owners hadn’t stopped him. He would have torn into that cop. I had never seen anything like that before. When the cops drove off

he was back to being the mellow dog he had been the whole day.

I must have been in the sixth or seventh grade. But for some reason, that incident has stuck in my mind.

Animals are fascinating. They understand and remember more than we realize. And they aren’t afraid of exacting payback when it’s necessary.

I have seen many times where a dog has shown compassion and I have seen dogs mourn for other dogs and humans. Humans lose a lot when they don’t pay attention to the feelings of their dogs.

We all know dogs are intelligent animals. But They are smarter and more intuitive than we will ever understand.

Lightening, me and my brother, was probably taken by my dad