By NATALIA JONES
When Jude Stringfellow’s son, Reuben, smuggled home a puppy in his football jersey, shortly after Christmas in 2002, he was not only saving a life, but changing the lives of his family, forever.
Faith Stringfellow, 6, of Oklahoma City, Okla. is anything but ordinary. Part Chinese Chow-Chow, she has quite a resume.
Not only is Faith a therapy dog, but she is also an E5 Sergeant in the U.S. Army.
In fact, Faith can often be seen sporting her custom made ACU jacket accessorized with the American Flag and Department of Defense patch.
Luckily Faith cannot be deployed, and while she receives no Government benefits, she does get to travel all over the country to meet new friends.
While impressive, it’s not Faith’s ranking that gets her so much attention. Like you and me, Faith stands and walks on her hind legs.
Faith was born with three legs. Several puppies in her litter had been deformed, but Faith was the only puppy with deformities to survive.
When Reuben Stringfellow first saw Faith, he knew he had to save her. Her mother, Princess, was in the process of terminating the small, weak puppy’s life.
Jude Stringfellow said she believes Princess was about to kill the puppy out of mercy.
She still fondly remembers the first thing her son asked when he arrived home and showed her his secret treasure, hidden in his No. 63 Putnam City Pirates jersey.
“He wanted to know if we could fix her,” said Jude Stringfellow. “I told him it wasn’t that easy, but we would find a way to help her.”
About seven months later, Faith’s front leg was removed as it began to atrophy.
Now with only the two hind legs, Jude Stringfellow knew she had to find a way to teach Faith to walk.
Taking the small puppy outside, the Stringfellows decided to sit her on the snow to see if should would learn to move on her own, said Jude Stringfellow.
“She then had to make the decision if she wanted to stay cold, in the snow, or learn to hop,” said Jude Stringfellow.
With that first hop, also came hope, added Jude Stringfellow.
It wouldn’t be long till Faith was toddling around and learning to walk, which Jude Stringfellow said she credits God and a little faith.
But their journey has not always been easy, said Jude Stringfellow, and there have been many sacrifices along the way: including her job as an English professor.
For all of the Stringfellows: Jude, her son, Reuben; daughters, Caity and Laura; and Faith, 2009 is going to be a year of new additions.
Reuben, who is now an E4 Specialist stationed in Iraq, will serve as the inspiration for two big projects the family has decided to take on.
In 2010, Timber Creek Productions, located here in Gainesville, is set to release a movie entitled “Faith.”
Producer and Director Ken Farmer said he is currently in the process of writing the screen play for the film which will be a fictionalized drama based on Faith’s life.
Actor Denton Blane Everett, star of “Rockabilly Baby,” will play the character of soldier who looses his legs in battle, said Farmer.
“It’s the ultimate feel-good movie of all time,” said Farmer. “Faith will help save his life and keep him from committing suicide.”
Jude Stringfellow said she had been thinking of doing a Faith-based movie for quite some time.
“Honestly, I just want to get her message out to as many people as possible,” said Faith Stringfellow. “I’m not looking for millions of dollars. I’m looking for millions of hearts.”
After much prayer, she said she finally decided to go through with the idea. When she got an e-mail from Farmer with Timber Creek Productions, she said she knew they would be the right fit for the film.
“They’re not the largest company, but they have heart,” said Jude Stringfellow.
Reuben has also had an influence on the naming of a new addition to the Stringfellow family: Tanker Stringfellow.
Like Faith, Tanker was born with deformities and only has his hind legs. Although it is unsure if he will be able to walk like Faith, Jude Stringfellow said she has big plans for the little guy including, possibly using a cart with wheels to help him move around.
Currently at a shelter in Orlando, Fla., Tanker will soon join the Stringfellows and meet his new, big sister: Faith.
Together the two will star in the Stringfellow house and on the big screen.
With the help of some makeup, Jude Stringfellow said, Tanker will play a young Faith in the “Faith” film.
“It’s been a life changing experience with Faith, because I had to make decisions that most people wouldn’t think twice about,” said Jude Stringfellow. “They’d say, ‘No, of course not,’ but I looked at it differently and said, ‘OK, God sends some people to Africa and me, he gives two-legged dogs to.’ For me, finding both Faith and now Tanker has just been a gift from God.”
To learn more about Faith, Tanker and the Stringfellow family’s latest adventures, please visit www.faiththedog.net.
