For veterans, the bond with a pet often feels familiar in all the right ways. Their presence and unwavering loyalty bring something special to everyday life, making even the smallest moments more meaningful.
Allow me to introduce you to Bert and Ernie. They’re not puppets, but they’re an equally iconic duo and bonus points for not needing strings to move. With 33 years in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve, Herbert C. “Bert” Bailey established a noteworthy military career that took him from pilot training in Del Rio, Texas, to assignments in Stuttgart, Germany, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His furry comrade is Coronel Ernesto del Scrumpo, better known as Ernie.
Ernie is only 4, but his silly attitude will last a lifetime. He loves children, Cheez-Its and chasing anything that moves, especially the evil garden hose, of which he has heroically defeated three. If that’s not impressive enough, Bert is convinced Ernie would also receive the Distinguished Loyalty Cross and a Purple Heart after a run-in with a snapping turtle.
Lauren Smolkawicz, a former corporal in the United States Marine Corps, worked as an intelligence analyst at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In 2014, a year after her service ended, she adopted a border collie mix named Madelynn. She arrived during a major life transition for Smolkawicz, who had just taken on a new role in corporate homeland security and cyber intelligence, but Madelynn was quick to settle in. After 12 years together, Smolkawicz still looks forward to Madelynn’s unmistakable wiggly welcome each time she comes home.
Different military branches, different stories, yet one thing remains the same: whether you are a service member or a civilian, few things in life compare to the feeling of being greeted at the door by a furry companion who is simply happy you made it home.
By Allyah Harrar
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