Air Dog Jay was the best

BY ROY JOHNSON

This story takes place in 1969 at RAF Wethersfield in England. It was at a NATO base where the 20th Security Police Squadron was assigned.

I was a dog handler, and Jay was my K-9 partner. I was going to have to return Jay to the RAF Training Center as I was getting ready to rotate back to the United States.

I let Jay out of his kennel and let him run around the training compound. Then he nudged my hand and leaned up against me as he had done for two years. It was his way of telling me that he was with me, and I was there for him.

I was a bit excited, and then realized that we were leaving the kennel for the last time together as partners. I was losing a close friend, companion and an outstanding partner.

We rode in silence, until my sergeant saw my watery eyes and said: "Jay will be fine, and he will never forget you, as you will never forget him. You were a good team. Keep your good thoughts and the fun times you shared."

At the training center, I was told which kennel to put Jay in. Jay and I walked slowly and tears flowed freely. We entered the kennel, and I stopped. Jay looked up at me with the understanding that this was the last time that we would be together. I knelt down and gave him a long, final hug.

I said to him, "Well, Jay, me lad, if you ever get to Everett, come and see me. Thanks for being my friend, companion and partner. I am with you forever as you are with me."

I released him, scratched both ears and then between his eyes.

"Goodbye, Jay. Take care of yourself and your new partner."

I stepped out of the kennel, closed the gate and walked away, never to look back.

I could hear Jay, for he had a humming, whistle whine.

As I think back on those days, I have asked myself, was dog handling worth it?

Yes, I have no regrets.

You learned to care for your dog that depended on you, and you learned to depend on your partner’s abilities when at work.

You became best friends, learning his little quirks as he could read your feelings and knew when to nudge you with his nose.

He would be saying to me: "It is all right. I understand."

The dogs gave their handlers unconditional love and only desired to be fed, played with and to be your friend in return. Handlers were their world, and they became ours as well.

Today, I see Jay as if I had just left him this afternoon. He was a happy, easygoing dog.

I was told that he would stand on his hind legs with his front paws on the top concrete wall in the rain for hours just waiting for me to show up.

I believe that I treated Jay as an equal. Although I was the boss, Jay was an equal part of the team. He did the detecting, and I did the processing of what he gave me.

You always had a partner to talk to. He couldn’t talk back, but his actions told you that he understood. I am glad I had the opportunity to experience what I did. Jay was a wonderful partner.

Jay was meant to be my partner, for we shared the same birthday. Gone, but not forgotten. Air Dog Jay 6932 May 1967 — July 1969.

Roy Johnson was born and raised in Everett and presently lives on Camano Island. He is looking forward to retiring from his state job of 25 years. He was glad to go to England rather than Vietnam. He thinks the service helps young people grow up, and that if anyone has a chance to work with dogs, they should do it.