Posted on 05/18/2007 10:59:16 PM PDT by DieHard the Hunter
Penned by Erica Veale - whose children George protected from attack by two vicious pitbulls - the song was a poignant tribute at a ceremony held to award George a posthumous medal for bravery from the SPCA.
And for George's owner Alan Gay (69) the ceremony at Manaia Primary School was especially emotional.
George gave his life in saving the group of children facing attack from the pitbulls on a Manaia street last month. The tiny terrier - on heart medication - put himself between the dogs and the children only to be savaged by the pitbulls. George was later put down.
Mr Gay says he misses George's smile.
"When I get up and go and make my cup of tea, he's not there with his big smile. And when I come back from town he's not at the back door waiting for me. He really did have a great smile," he said tearfully.
While Mr Gay had previously believed his beloved pet of seven years was aged about nine, a recent call from the previous owner confirmed he was in fact 14.
SPCA national chief executive Robyn Kippenberger came to Manaia to present Mr Gay with the medal.
Ms Kippenberger says the bravery medal was usually awarded to people for defending animals, but George's case warranted the accolade.
"The thing that made George very special was he did this without any training. The thing that trained him to do this was love," Ms Kippenberger said.
"Because, if George was not loved by people he would not have done this. He stood between the children that had loved him. He had known love for a long time from humans."
She says George treated the children, who live next door to Mr Gay, as if they were part of his family.
"George didn't die in vain," Ms Kippenberger told Mr Gay as she handed him the medal - the second medal he's been given in as many days.
On Thursday a Purple Heart arrived in the mail from American war veteran Jerrell Hudman. Framed and surrounded by photos of George, the medal was sent by the Texan after he read about the hero-dog on the Internet.
This story a follow-on from other threads...
MARINE Jerrell Hudman: you have become a permanent part of our New Zealand legacy, history and legend. On behalf of my Countrymen, well done, and thankyou: both for your Services for Freedom and for your compassion, all done in the finest traditions of the US Marine Corps. Please accept our deep Respect and gratitude.
SALUTE... two!
*DieHard*
ping
Ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.