Way back in 2002 Cindy asked me about our getting dog. We were living in Norfolk, VA. at the time and she and the kids, all under 12, were excited about the prospect.
Then one day she asked me to meet her at a local veterinary office; she had found some rescue puppies. One of our neighbors had just brought one home, and told her all about it.
As you can imagine there were lots of cute, energetic boy and girl pups running around. Then I saw him. Pure white. Hanging out under the stairs. Big paws, curled up tail, and that little something that said, “Take me home.”
So we did.
That began a fourteen year love affair with the best dog we could ever have had. Buddy was a mix of everything big and good in a dog. Fully grown he weighed in at just over 100 pounds. He was amazing with the kids. They could lay on him, tug on him, pull his ears and tail, and Buddy would just love them back.
Buddy had a great relationship with all of our kids, but his relationship with Josh was something special. Seems like Buddy and Josh just “got” each other.
I can still see Josh taking Buddy for a walk, or should I say Buddy taking Josh for a run!
Buddy would pull like a snow dog, and Josh would run behind him laughing all the way. They both loved every minute of it!
Buddy was a major part or our family, as all dogs are, but he was a huge part of Josh’s journey to adulthood. Best friends for a guy with Down Syndrome are hard to find. But when you do find one, you never forget them.
Nowadays, every once in awhile Josh will say, “I miss, I miss, Buddy.” Truth is, so do I!
We have a new dog now, Ellie Mae is her name—She is a Shih Tzu. She’s great, we even named the dog treats that Josh and our guys at The PIER Center make and sell; Ellie Mae Sweet Treats. But the truth is—There will never be another Buddy, but we sure are thankful to have had him in our lives and now in our memories!
