Buddy Update

Everything is working out better than I ever could have hoped. Buddy is such a kind, sweet, happy boy. He is great with the cats—–and in such a short time! And this morning he had his first of what will be many, many teeny tiny baby steps getting to know the chickens—–it went very well. Buddy is completely trustworthy in the house and in the truck—–he doesn’t touch anything without being told it is OK; I had to tell him repeatedly it was OK to play with the toys I bought him! Tomorrow he meets my friend’s 14-1/2 year old dog (the one I babysit at my house when she is out of town). We will be careful with the introduction but I have no doubt he will be gentle with her. And then we meet another friend’s dog (a 3-year old black lab) for a play session. Both of these friends have a little acreage and live less than a mile from me. AND, I just found out there is a HUGE (and I mean HUGE!) new park that allows dogs off leash that is so close to my house we can walk to it within just a few minutes!

I brought Buddy to my work on Tuesday to meet everyone. He was such a big hit that people were still talking about him today. I brought him in at lunchtime. People would come back to the office from lunch, stop to meet him and then just stay to visit and watch him until at the end of the visit a big crowd of people were all around him in a circle with him in the middle, calm as can be, doing his famous “rolling on his back waiting to be petted” routine. He would get up to meet new people as they came in, make the rounds to get petted and then walk back to the middle of the circle again and lie down. He was an absolute charmer. Even people who weren’t there that day have been asking me about him because they have been hearing about him from other co-workers who are STILL talking about what a wonderful dog he is.

I am completely and totally in love with this dog. It already feels like I have always known him. He is so sweet and loving (and so cuddly!). He is steady and well adjusted and remarkably responsive to direction. I love him beyond words. I hope you can tell Buddy’s previous owner that Buddy is well and happy and will never want for anything as long as he lives. And if you do talk with Buddy’s previous owner, please thank him for me. It seems clear that Buddy has been treated with love and kindness and respect all of his life. Buddy is a truly great dog and I believe his previous owner is responsible for that.

And I want to thank you, too—–you and the work you do makes happy endings like this one possible.

Rosemary

PS I will do my best to send pictures soon.