Russell Westbrook has left the Oklahoma City Thunder behind to play for the Houston Rockets, and team up with MVP hopeful, James Harden. Westbrook won the MVP award in 2017 and Harden won it in 2018. Teaming them up could make them one of the most unplayable teams in the NBA, but will that lead them to championship glory?

Losing An Icon

To get Westbrook to Houston, the Rockets had to let go of their nine-time All-Star point guard, Chris Paul. What they are losing in one outstanding player, they are gaining with another. In the past three seasons, Westbrook has averaged a triple-double per game, one of only two people in the history of the NBA to do this. The Rockets are going to be adding even more points to their roster with Westbrook.

Wanting To Play With Harden

Westbrook’s new coach at Houston, Mike D’Antonio, claims that Westbrook wanted to come to the Rockets specifically to play with Harden. While Westbrook doesn’t dominate in his shooting from distance, Harden does. Where Westbrook will help the Rockets is in making explosive bursts to the basket to score or assist, which is something he’s been doing for years.

Figuring It Out

D’Antonio says great players figure out a way to play with each other and says Harden got the job done with Russell Westbrook when they went to the Olympics in 2012. They know they can play together so now it’s all about chasing that championship. The Rockets are going to be one of the teams to look out for in the next NBA season so long as the chemistry between Harden and Westbrook works.

As long as the pair work together and aren’t trying to outdo each other, they can form a devastating duo that few teams could handle.

A man named Anthony adopted a dog named Reggie, and he was struggling with him. Then he found out some important information…

The shelter told Anthony to give Reggie two weeks to adjust to his new home, but it wasn’t working out. He didn’t want to blame Reggie, maybe it was that Anthony was adjusting to a new town as well. He was ready to give up. But then he found a letter that the previous owner had left with the dog…

Anthony was new in the area and had only been here for six months, everywhere he would go in the small college town, he found that the people were welcoming and open. Everyone said hello when he passed them on the street. But something was missing as he attempted to settle into his new life, and that’s when he thought of getting a dog at the animal shelter nearby. The shelter told Anthony the labrador up for adoption was named Reggie. The shelter was fine, and the people friendly.

Anthony had just seen an advertisement for Reggie on the local news. The shelter had received a few calls for him, but they said the people who had come down to see him didn’t look like they were the right fit for Reggie. They must’ve thought Anthony would be good because they gave him Reggie right away and they also included all his things, which consisted of a dog bed, toys (mostly brand new tennis balls) his food bowl, and a sealed letter from his previous owner.

Anthony recalled that “Reggie and I didn’t hit it off when we got home. I guess I was expecting a super happy dog, one who would be excited to see me and who would want to play and cuddle more. I found it hard to adjust to the new town as well as a new dog. I was still lonely and it seemed like Reggie wasn’t happy either. I bought him new toys, but that didn’t change anything.”

It soon became pretty clear that Reggie wasn’t adjusting well. Anthony tried to do the normal commands, ones like “sit” and “stay” and “come” and “heel,” and he’d follow them – sometimes. He never really seemed to listen to his name when he was called – sure, he’d look in Anthony’s direction after he said it a few times, but then he’d go back to doing whatever. Anthony felt like he was maybe doing something wrong, but he wasn’t sure.

Anthony explained that, “He chewed a couple of shoes and a few boxes that were still unpacked, so I was a little strict with him, and he disliked it, I could tell. When the two weeks were up, I felt it was time and that I had to take him back. I knew the number for the shelter would be amongst his old stuff, and I remembered leaving it there in one of the boxes in the guest room.”

When Anthony started looking through Reggie’s stuff, he found something unexpected. He had completely forgotten about his old stuff because he had purchased Reggie a bunch of new things. When Reggie noticed his old dog pad, Anthony saw a rare moment of excitement in the dog – Reggie recognized his old things. Anthony rummaged around, and that was when he found a sealed envelope from Reggie’s previous owner. Anthony had completely forgotten about the letter…

“Okay, Reggie,” he said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any advice.” It was a long letter, so Anthony started to read it. “To whoever gets my dog: Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. If you’re reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter.”

It continued, “He knew something was different. I have packed up his bed and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time, it’s like he could sense that something was wrong. It’s sad for me, but that is why I have decided to write this letter. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.” The letter only got more emotional…

He then went on to write about Reggie: “First, he loves tennis balls, and he loves to hoard them. He usually always had two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. It doesn’t matter where you throw them; he’ll jump right after, so be careful- really don’t do it by any roads. I nearly made that mistake once. Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I’ll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones- sit, stay, come, heel.”

It seemed that the owner had trained Reggie, as he continued to explain: “He knows hand signals: ‘back’ to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and ‘over’ if you put your hand out right or left. ‘Shake’ for shaking the water off and ‘paw’ for a high- five. He does ‘down’ when he feels like lying down…He knows ball and food and bone and treats like nobody’s business. I trained Reggie with small food treats.” So why didn’t he listen to commands?

The letter went on about Reggie’s feeding regime and said, “Be forewarned: Reggie doesn’t like the vet. Good luck getting him in the car – I don’t know exactly how he knows when it’s time for him to go to the vet, but he can somehow sense it.” We all know that there probably isn’t a dog, or even any pet, that actually enjoys going to the vet, but it was nice of him to warn Anthony!

“Finally, be patient with him. I have never been married, so it’s only been me in his whole life. He’s used to going everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can.” he wrote. It’s clear to see that these two shared a special bond: “He loves to be around people, especially me. Which means this transition is going to be hard with him going to live with someone new.”

The writer then began to explain that his real name isn’t Reggie! “I don’t know what made me do it exactly, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I just told them his name was Reggie. He’s a clever dog; he’ll get used to it and will respond eventually. But I couldn’t bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it would feel so final and binding, that handing him over was admitting that I’d never see him again.” So what was his name?

It’s clear how difficult and heartbreaking it must have been for him to write this letter, “But if someone else might be reading it, well, it means that his new owner ought to know his real name. It’ll help you bond with him, and him with you. Who knows, maybe you’ll even notice a change in him if he’s been difficult. And that’s why I need to share one more thing with you…” And this is where the letter really took a turn…

He continued, “His real name is Tank because that’s what I drive. I told the shelter that they couldn’t put ‘Reggie’ up for adoption until they received word from my commander.  See my parents have passed, I have no siblings, so there was no one I could’ve left Tank with. It was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq that they make one phone call to shelter in the ‘event of…’ To tell them Tank could be put for adoption.” So what was the soldier’s fate?

At this point, we can tell just how much Tank meant to his previous owner and the love they shared, and as the letter progresses, it becomes all the more tragic to read: “Well, this letter is getting depressing, even though, I am just writing it for my dog. But dogs can be like family and he has been with me for the past six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.”

“That unconditional love from a dog is what I will take with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things.” By this, the writer shows just how much of their bond has strengthened him. “If I had to give up Tank to do it, I’m glad to have done so. He was my example of service and love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.”

“Okay, then. I leave this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don’t think I can bear another goodbye to Tank, though. I cried so much the first time; maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally managed to get that third tennis ball in his mouth. All the best of luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight- every night- from me. Thank you, Paul Mallory.” And with that, he signed off his note. Suddenly, Anthony had a realization…

The letter ended with Paul Mallory’s signature, and that’s when everything made sense. Even though he was new to town, Anthony had heard about Paul Mallory. Paul was a local young man who had joined the army and was killed while saving three fellow soldiers in Iraq. Paul had even been on the news for posthumously earning a Silver Star for being a hero. All summer, flags had been flying at half-mast all over town. As Anthony was fighting back the tears, he turned to Tank…

Anthony then said, “Hey, Tank.” The pup quickly looked at Anthony, and his ears began to perk up. Anthony called Tank over to him, and the dog took off in excitement. Anthony said Tank’s name a few more times, and for the first time in two weeks, the pup began to lighten up. Anthony hugged him and petted him and asked him if he wanted to play ball. Tank immediately ran to the next room and grabbed three tennis balls. Anthony immediately knew things would never be the same.

Once he learned what Tank had been through, it all came together. Anthony knew that he had to keep him. He also knew that he wanted to honor Paul’s request. “I can only hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adapt and come to love you the same way he loved me,” Paul wrote. The letter touched Anthony, since he knew exactly what had happened to Tank’s poor owner…

Just like Paul, many soldiers don’t have anyone to leave their pets with when they’re deployed. Fortunately, some organizations help find foster homes for their beloved fur babies. Guardian Angels For Soldier’s Pets and Dogs On Deployment are two of those organizations. If you have the room in your home, and your life, for a temporary fur baby, then consider taking in a soldier’s dog. Soldiers, just like Paul, would be more than grateful.