Buddy's Story
April 27, 2002 Buddy arrived in California after making a long trek from New York by car. Buddy's relocation had been months in the making and many people were involved in some capacity.
Some months before coming to the Golden state, Buddy was discovered by a woman who lived in New York when she had gone to a monastary to pray. The monks there said he had been left with them by a family who could not take care of him. It is alot of work to raise a young lab, and as the woman found out it is not for everyone!
She was worried about Buddy, because he was covered in fleas and ticks. With the monks' permission this kind lady took him to a vet. She eventually took him home with her too. Buddy unfortunately was having problems eating food, and allergies were suspect. He also turned out to have Lyme disease.
Unfortunately for Buddy, the biggest thing that precluded him from finding a forever home was the fact he bit his benefactor. Everything was so new, so scary, that poor Buddy probably did not know what else to do.
But she did not give up. She asked rescue after rescue. She looked for people willing to take a dog that had health and behavior problems. However, due to the tragedy the preceeding September, the rescues in New York and the surrounding states were filled. And those with room did not want to take on a dog who might bite someone.
Buddy's rescuer turned to the magazine, Just Labs. The story was published by the advertising manager on the Just Labs online message board.
One day, as fate may have it, Kira's and Scout's Mom happened upon the story and inquired about poor Buddy. You see, Buddy had been abused. I thought maybe I could help the woman find someone to take him. I thought that maybe I would have some fresh ideas. Eventually, we exhausted them without luck.
By this time, I understood what Buddy had been through. He was sold as a puppy to a pet store, where he spent his days in a cage without proper socialization. Eventually, he was sold to a family that had several children. When the puppy was bad, he was tied to a door. He was hit in the face when he was "bad". And this is how the puppy grew to know people and what family was. So, the puppy got bigger and bigger. And at some point it became hard to tie the puppy to a door (he's around 30" at whithers, despite supposedly being purebred, I wouldn't be shocked if there was Great Dane in there). So, one day the family took Buddy and left him at a monastary.
Oh, how wonderful for Buddy. All that room to run and play. But, wait, there was still no one to claim him because the monks could not own anything. So, Buddy slept in a cold barn all through the harsh New York winter. Buddy ate his meals alone. He was comforted when strangers would pass him an idle pat on the head. His constant companion were the fleas and ticks that infested him. Until one day, an animal lover who had come to pray for those who died September 11, 2001 chanced upon him. She vowed to make his life better.
Without any proper socialization, she took him in. However, a dog that big without any real love and discipline is a challenge even for the most dedicated of labbie veterans. Eventually, she and I met through Just Labs and came to realize I just might be the only person that was willing to take that chance with Buddy.
Would you believe it? This woman, who does not have much herself, not even a car, was willing to bring Buddy all the way to California? His health condition made a plane trip unreasonable. So, she rented a car and drove him literally from one coast to the other. Now that is dedication, that is love. Buddy found his family. He has one in New York, and us in California.
Buddy did try our nerves at first. He was a hurricane in the house. Have you ever seen the cartoon of the Tazmanion Devil? That was Buddy.
His first bath was a nightmare of dog limbs ricocheting off tile. I spent more time in the tub then he actually did.
Luckily, with antibiotics Buddy overcame Lyme disease. And shortly after coming to California his allergy symtoms dissapated completely. He is now able to eat normal dog food and get goodies. However, we remain cautious. Like Kira, we try very hard to keep allergens off him to reduce potential symtoms. We suspect Buddy actually suffered a hypersensitivity reaction to the extreme flea and tick infestation he endured for an unknown length of time.
To date, Buddy has proved to be a gentle companion for children. He is a true gentle giant.
Buddy is a tribute to the spirit of dogs everywhere. He came to us not even sure how to behave like a dog, which nearly made Kira reject him entirely. We patiently showed him how to submit. And eventually, through observation he learned to greet other dogs and respond without fear. He still is afraid in some situations, and he will flatten onto the ground if removed from us.
He has many fears. He is horribly afraid if his collar is grabbed and pulled. People who come up quickly and try to pet him scare him to pieces, but Buddy has no longer tried to bite anyone.
We recognized that much of his mouthiness was from his stuck puppiness. No one had ever taught him to stop. This was quickly corrected. He is an extremely bright dog who has learned many basic commands since being here.
Buddy recently had his second birthday. I am sad that he lived his first year the way that he did, but we will strive to love him the only way that a Labrador deserves to be loved. Buddy reminds me that bringing a dog into the family is a huge commitment; it should be a lifetime commitment. However, in some cases letting go allows a great dog to find a new home where he can explore his full potential. Buddy is lucky. I wonder how many dogs like him are killed because they have fear-bit someone, or live chained up in someone’s backyard. Buddy has amazed me in his capacity to love so unconditionally despite all his hardships. He does not feel like he is owed anything (much unlike Kira and Scout who have been spoiled silly since puppyhood) and responds with unabashed joyfullness at even the slightest nod his way. It breaks my heart. Please do me a favor if you are reading this. Keep your dogs close to your heart and give them each and hug and kiss from us.
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