A long time ago when Jordan was Transjordan, my older sister was a governess for a major in the Arab Legion. The officers had hunting dogs, and she wanted our Labrador Bimbo to be sent over. We lived on the outskirts of a small English town and Bimbo had a great life with the fields nearby. He was just a friendly domestic pet. He loved to carry the shopping basket or your glove if nothing else needed carrying. I was much younger than my sister and though I was sad to see Bimbo put on a cargo boat at the London docks, it was not something I had any control over.
I hate to think of his life on board going through the Mediterranean but worse was to come. In due course we heard Bimbo arrived at the port but escaped from a handler. My sister frantically alerted all army posts and put out a reward for his return - his breed stood out from the local dogs.
There were occasional sightings, but no one could catch him.
Six months later a nomadic Bedouin came into Akabar with Bimbo to claim the reward. My sister was flown down from Amman by the army and he lollopped across to meet her wanting as usual to carry something in his mouth.
What had Bimbo done to survive all that time in the desert? I suppose his survival instincts took over. When my sister left the country the quarantine was such that she did not bring Bimbo home, but left him with another officer.
I felt sad and angry about what I thought was the end of this story. My sister emigrated to Australia, later I emigrated to New Zealand. We rarely saw each other, till when she was ill with cancer I went to help her - and finally heard the end of the story. When the officer finished his duty in Amman he went to Scotland, taking Bimbo with him. So he was returned to live out his life as it had begun.
I felt some closure but still emotional to think about a dog that never forgot but always forgave.

Author: Marion Bridge
No country specified.
True story: Yes
Rating: 5 paws up
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