Reggie & The Marine
By Micaela Bensko

Reggie was such a tiny puppy he didn't weigh anything on a scale

His little nose peeked out of Tony's shirt pocket just right.

Reggie was the runt that no buddy else wanted.

Because he was small.

So Tony, a Marine, took him home to surprise his children with the tiny little dog.

A dog named Reggie with a tiny little nose.

The children loved him and played with him even though he was so small.

Reggie bobbled about. He bobbled into things but believed he could do anything that any other dog could do.

So he did.

But the one thing he did best, was love his Marine.

Reggie's ears grew so long he tripped on his ears when he ran.

Everyone thought Reggie was special. Because he was different.

Different made him special.

Reggie like being special.

Then one day something happened to his Marine, Tony.

Suddenly, Tony looked different than before.

Tony lost a leg in the war. And now he was in a chair. Which made him short. Just like Reggie.

They were more alike now than ever before.

Reggie kissed Tony's leg that was no longer there - because it still left a footprint in his heart.

Reggie dreamed of fitting in Tony's shirt. If only for a day.

Reggie became Tony's best friend.

He made Tony's days easier. Lighter. Brighter than before.

All Reggie wanted to do was make Tony feel magical inside. So Tony showed Reggie how much he mattered by registering him as a therapy dog.

Reggie now has a badge - and a harness.

Now Reggie can go anywhere with Tony.

To movies.

To dinner.

And even to the grocery store.

But most of all, Reggie goes with Tony and his family to church. Because that is where Tony thanks God that he is still alive. And that Reggie is in his life.

Reggie doesn't fetch keys. Or open doors. Or turn on lights. But he loves. He loves Tony so much it hurts inside.

And Tony feels the same.

Reggie is a therapy dog that was not meant to be a therapy dog.

Reggie's only job is to love Tony so much that by the end of the day there is no more love to give.

So they sleep. Side by side.

Until the morning.

When they can start loving - all over again.