How Clarence got his wings - and a forever home

by Jamie Topliff
71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

1/29/2014 - VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- His name is Clarence because just like the angel in "It's a Wonderful Life," he was waiting outside the gates to get his "wings."

Clarence is the infamous Vance Air Force base "gate dog" who, until recently, made his home in the field outside the Baker Gate back in November and December.

The dog now lives with Col. James and Julie Abatti, who reside on base. Colonel Abatti is the commander of the 71st Operations Group.

The 18-month old German shepherd-Husky mix received significant attention from Team Vance members entering and leaving the base. The gate dog was being fed by people from all over base and several even tried catching him. Both Enid Animal Control and Furever Friends volunteers visited in hopes of leashing him - to no avail.

"He would just sit there and howl," said Julie.

Thought she had been leaving him food for quite some time, she decided on Christmas Day that she needed to save him from the bitterly cold temperatures that were forecasted for the weekend.

"There are three ways to a man's heart--food, love and toys," said Julie, and with those three things, she set out to save Clarence.

On Thursday, Dec. 26, she went to the field and worked with Clarence for two and a half hours. The next day, she repeated the routine, but this time, Clarence started following her around and playing.

By Saturday morning, after just an hour and a half of food, love and toys, Clarence started following Julie as she headed off toward her home.

When she walked home from feeding him Saturday night, Clarence followed her right into her back yard.

"I never leashed him," said Julie, which is what everyone else was trying to do.

The Abattis' first night with Clarence proved to be a bit challenging. To make him feel a little more comfortable, Julie slept on an air mattress in the laundry room so Clarence could see her through the glass door to the back yard. She had to wear ear plugs to drown out the noise from the refrigerator motor and was awaked by Colonel Abatti at 3:30 a.m., Sunday, letting her know that Clarence was howling.

Julie got up and let Clarence out the back yard to go back to his field, and then returned to bed. Later that morning, she went out to the field, fed and played with Clarence, and then left.

In the afternoon, cold weather moved in so Julie dressed from head to toe, and once again, headed out to play with Clarence. But this time, the dog barked and would not go near Julie. When she removed her hat, Clarence ran across the field into her arms and the two set off for home.

That Sunday night, Julie slept in the laundry room again, but this time, Clarence was with her.
Monday morning came and Clarence headed back out to his field. Julie went out to visit him in the afternoon. On their walk home, a friend stopped to talk to Julie. Clarence got spooked and ran away.

Concerned she had lost him, Julie grabbed Clarence's toys and set out to the field to look for him. As soon as she squeaked the toys, Clarence showed up right behind her.

"That's it. We're going home," said Julie. And that's where he has been ever since.

While his name is Clarence, the Abattis fondly call him Squirt, Pee Wee and the Baby, which fits, since their other two dogs are large 10 and 11-year old Border Collie-Austrian shepherd mixes. While the Abattis' male dog, Ringo, is still the alpha, Clarence brings a whirlwind of puppy energy into the home.

He enjoys play dates with Col. Darren and Melissa James' dog, Chloe, and particularly loves the snow. Colonel James, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, lives on the same street as the Abattis.

While Clarence and Colonel Abatti enjoy their afternoon routine of playing in the backyard, Julie is still Clarence's favorite.

She is, after all, the one who helped him earn his wings.