Happy Birthday Buddy!

I’m sure that Maria will post something today, but as I am not too busy at the moment, I wanted to put my little story in the Buddy Birthday mix! To really get the full story of Buddy, you gotta know who Buddy was… wait, that sounds like a quote from a movie… Seriously though, it all began with a little girl named Roxy. Roxy was my Jack Russell and my sidekick for 5 years. Without getting into too much detail, she passed away in January, about two years ago. Things were moving rather slowly at that time. I had just finished up my chemotherapy sessions and was about to finish up the radiation as well. It was cold and dreary and the loss of Roxy really got me good. I was very sad, incredibly heart-broken and just overall down in the dumps. The only real light in that time was the amazing birthday party that Maria threw for me that February. Maria had asked me a few times how I felt about getting another dog and the mere thought of Roxy brought tears to my eyes… still does… So I was a little hesitant to pick up and begin a new life with a new dog. I missed having a dog, I missed the times when I could “talk to my dog” and have someone there to listen to me. There was a good amount of time when Roxy and I were on our own, she really was more than a dog to me.  But Maria was keen on the way I was feeling and being the amazing girlfriend that she was (cause she’s my Fiance now!) took an opportunity she couldn’t refuse.

It was towards the end of March and I had just gotten home from work. I went upstairs, got changed and planted myself on the couch and began to watch TV. Maria was working in Reading at the time and usually came home a little later than me. As a sat watching the television I heard her coming in downstairs. I thought nothing of her walking up the stairs and coming into the living room. I almost didn’t notice the little back face staring back at me from inside Maria’s black coat and scarf… “What is that?!” I said with a semi sheepish smile on my face. Maria replied, “This is Buddy.”

All I could see was his little head sticking out; his big ears perked up. She handed him over to me and began to tell me about how Buddy came to be hidden in her jacket. Maria worked with a very nice gal named Nancy and Nancy has a few kids and they had jus recently gotten a puppy for the family. Unfortunately for Nancy, she worked full time, long hours and she couldn’t take care of the puppy they so aptly named Buddy. Nancy had asked Maria a few times about taking him and giving him to me. She knew how tough the loss of Roxy was for me and wanted to help, not only me, but Buddy too. At the time I wasn’t prepared, but by the end of March, Maria was convinced that I would be able to handle a puppy again.

It was a bittersweet moment sitting on the couch with Buddy sitting on my belly. I looked down at him and thought of Roxy and then began to think of him… how little he was, how his ears were bigger than his head and of course how absolutely adorable he was. Pretty soon after he made it over to me, he was asleep on my chest, relaxing comfortably and free from any worry. Maria commented on how quickly he took to me, I said his face reminded me of a certain little girl. Maria then went on to tell me about our new addition. Buddy is a mix of Jack Russell, Beagle and Dachshund…. and his birthday is today, January 28th. When I thought of the date, I realized it was a matter of weeks (days actually) between the loss of Roxy and the birth of Buddy. I took this as a good omen… And boy, oh BOY, was I right!  Maria told me that Nancy was worried about Buddy. He hadn’t been to responsive to her children and he hadn’t been eating well for being a puppy. Maria came home prepared and set up a little station for Buddy with his food and a litter box, yes a litter box. As soon as Maria had everything ready I brought Buddy into the kitchen and set Buddy down for dinner. He sniffed the food and began to much away! Maria’s eyes lit up and she explained the prior situation and mentioned how unusual (but really really good) it was that Buddy began to eat. “He already feels comfortable enough with us to eat,” she said. I laid down on the floor and watched him. I was utterly in awe of Buddy. I did end up slipping just one time and called him Roxy. I immediately began to breakdown and cry. Maria said it was okay and I shouldn’t feel bad. Buddy, being the awesome dog he is, walked his way over to me and since I was laying on the floor, got face-to-face with me and then crawled under my chin, between my arms and laid down in the small area in front of me. It made such an impact on me I can’t even describe it. And still to this day, when I’m feeling a little down, I can get on my stomach, ask Buds to come over and he’ll lay there in my arms just like he did then!

Needless to say the past two years have been incredible with Buddy. He has taken to us as quickly and as well as we have to him. Buddy is such a good boy and has learned a number of tricks that Maria and I practice with him. He likes to bark at just about anything that he feels is invading his space… or just to let us know that people are walking outside. He has learned to use the littler box so on snowy days like today all he has to do is jump in his box and do his business. With the addition of his middle name, “Winston”… second middle name (used when he’s in trouble… hehe) and just his overall attitude, Buddy has become a prolific member of our family. He’s loved by everyone and rarely finds an arm he doesn’t like! (That one was for you, Mark!)

I truly feel that things happen for a reason, and whether or not my previous suffering brought about an even more wonderful blessing, I cannot be more appreciative and thankful for Nancy, Maria and my little boy, Buddy. …Well, he’s a big boy now! The big 02! So this morning we said Happy Birthday to Buddy and tonight we’ll treat Buddy to a Frosty Paws Ice Cream treat! It’s a great day and Maria and I are so happy and so proud of our Buddy. He has definitely made a positive impact on our lives and I couldn’t be a happier “Daddy.” I love you, Buddy Winston, Happy Birthday!!!

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