Readers of this column are probably aware that my household gained a dog early in 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hazel is now nearly three years old. One of my columns was titled “What I learned from Hazel.” In that column, I concluded that while we were animals of different species, we were the same in our needs and wants.
During this time of constant news about earthquakes, the war in Ukraine, mass shootings, child abuse, domestic violence, etc., I want to tell the story of Judy. She was a canine hero in World War II.
Judy, an English pointer, was born in 1936 at the Shanghai Dog Kennel in China. Judy escaped the kennel and became the mascot of a British naval gunboat called HMS Gnat. This gunboat patrolled the Yangtze River.
In 1939 Judy was transferred to a ship called HMS Grasshopper. On a trip ferrying 200 refugees, the boat came under attack, and the crew and refugees escaped to uninhabited Posik Island. With no drinking water, everyone’s life was endangered, but Judy was able to find an underground freshwater spring. The captain was able to make radio contact with a nearby island. He secured a Chinese fishing boat to transport everyone to the east coast of Sumatra, where they hoped to hook up with evacuating British troops.
Unfortunately, they missed the troops by several days and had to begin an arduous 170-mile trek to Padang. This journey would take them through a perilous and dense wilderness. Judy took on the responsibility of protecting her “pack.” She guided them adroitly and fought off snakes, crocodiles, and a tiger stalking the group.
In March 1942, they were captured and sent to a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Some prisoners were sent to another camp, and they
smuggled Judy into one of the trucks with them. At this camp, Judy met a young airman, Frank Williams. Williams shared his meager food ration with her, and they immediately bonded.
The prisoners of war (POWs) were used as slave labor to disassemble a local industrial plant. Williams gave the camp commandant one of Judy’s puppies and talked him into making Judy an official POW, and she was assigned prisoner number 81A Gloegoer Medan.
In June 1944, it was announced that all the POWs were being shipped to Singapore, except Judy, but Judy was again smuggled aboard a ship.
The vessel was hit by torpedoes two days after sailing, and one of the men pushed Judy out through a shattered porthole window. Once in the water, Judy saved soldiers by bringing them floating debris. She even let people cling to her as she doggy-paddled them to fishing boats.
Frank and Judy were separated. The soldiers were taken to a new prisoner-of-war camp. At the camp, Judy scoured every corner, looking for Frank. She waited daily at the entrance for Frank to appear. Frank was eventually taken to this camp, and when Judy saw him, she knocked him to the ground, licking his face, with Williams hugging her madly.
Conditions at this camp were horrifying, with men dying of starvation and malaria daily. Both Frank and Judy shriveled to skeletons. But, looking at the animal he had come to love and wanting to keep her safe gave Frank a reason to live.
Japan surrendered in August 1945, and the camps were liberated. The British forces did not plan to send Judy to England. However, Frank and the other soldiers smuggled her aboard their homebound ship. They kept her hidden for weeks. The ship’s cook kept Judy fed.
Judy was put into quarantine for six months when they landed in Liverpool. Frank and Judy were reunited on April 26, 1946, and Judy was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. This award is the British equivalent of the U.S. Medal of Honor.
Her citation read, “For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among her fellow prisoners and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness.” Judy lived until nearly 14 and passed away in 1950.
Remember the story of Judy the next time you shake your head at someone who treats their dog like a person. This story exemplifies a dog’s intelligence, courage, and loyalty. It highlights the depth of the reciprocity of love. Every family should have a dog.
Far too many animals get abandoned and wind up in shelters. The Ulster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (UCSPCA) does fantastic work saving, caring for, and protecting these animals. However, these animals deserve homes. Please consider fostering or adopting.
If you can’t have an animal in your home, consider volunteering at their shelter. One way runners can volunteer is to take these magnificent creatures on walks. Please donate money to help the SPCA continue its mission. For more information on fostering, adopting, donating, or volunteering, please visit ucspca.org or call (845) 331-5377.
ORC Grand Prix
At its February board meeting, the Onteora Runners Club (ORC) selected the races for its 28th annual Grand Prix series. The Grand Prix is 10 races spread out from April to November. This series is meant to test the versatility of runners and includes races from one mile to a half-marathon. The races are run on various surfaces, including roads, trails, cross country, and the track.
The series is a great way to organize your racing year and measure your progress. Your best eight races count in your cumulative point total. Grand Prix scoring includes categories of overall winners and standard 10-year age groups.
Awards are given to the top three in every category. There are awards for those who complete at least five races and special awards for individuals who run all 10 races.
The Onteora Runners Club organizes four races; the other six are selected from other local races. The criteria for selection are the events need to be well organized, have affordable entry fees, and provide awards and ample refreshments. The races raise money for non-profit charitable organizations.
In addition, the Grand Prix is a way to meet other runners. I’ve met some great training partners and developed lasting friendships.
The 10 races are:
• April 23: Kiwanis Kingston Classic 10K
• May 13: Fiddler’s Bridge 5K in Rhinebeck
• May 28: Woodstock 15K in Zena
• June 28: Bernie Stahl Mile
• July 4: Marbletown Road Race (2.3 miles)
• July 31: Lou’s Run (4.25 miles) Race No. 4 of the New Paltz Summer XC series at the Mohonk Preserve
• August 20: Ashokan Rail Trail (8 Miles).
• September 10: Barry Hopkins Run at Olana (3.8 miles)
• October 21: Morningstar Run for Shelter 5K in Kingston
• November 12: After The Leaves Half Marathon at Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Every year, the club has an awards luncheon to recognize the Grand Prix winners. This year, the luncheon is at the Ole Savannah Southern Table and Bar in downtown Kingston on Saturday, March 25.
Before the luncheon, there is a fun run starting at 10 a.m. The fun run previews the Kiwanis Kingston Classic courses. The fun run is free for all. The luncheon is $10 for club members and $25 for others. The discounted fee is one of the many perks of joining the ORC.
To join the club, visit the website onteorarunners.org. To make a reservation for the luncheon, email Diana at dkarron@yahoo.com. RSVP by March 10 for luncheon reservations.
Shamrock Run
There is still time to register for the biggest running party in the Hudson Valley. The 35th Shamrock Run in Kingston is Sunday, March 12.
This mammoth two-mile run and walk precedes Kingston’s St. Patrick’s Parade. After the run, join the post-race party at the Rondout
Neighborhood Center on lower Broadway in Kingston. Have some refreshments, and maybe win a raffle prize. Then step outside and enjoy the parade.
For more information and to register for the run/walk, visit the website shamrockrun.org. Day of registration is from 10 a.m. to 12:30 pm at the Gov. Clinton Apartments on Albany Avenue, opposite Academy Green Park. The run/walk steps off at 12:50 p.m. It’s a great day for Kingston and a lot of fun.
Steve Schallenkamp has been active in area running circles since 1966 as a runner, race director, volunteer and coach. He is a member of the Onteora Runners Club and president of the Shawangunk Runners Club.