Please Welcome Buddy (the homeless rescue) To His New Life...(Finally completed May 12, 2008)

Buddy

Born May 6, 2006

Rebirth May 6, 2008

11 lbs.~ 2 oz

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***UPDATE***

Mom's changed his name to "Fenway" because the family loves the Boston Redsox! She even started answering the phone: "Hello, you've reached the new home of Fenway." I know, too funny!

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***UPDATE***

Yup, I think I'm finally going to get this to post!

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I had such trouble with the post for Buddy that I had to erase it. After two attemps at writing it and spending lots of time doing so, the post wouldn't publish and simply vanished. Yes, I wanted to scream! I will try again tomorrow. Before deleting I saved all the comments. Thank you one and all for your kind words and support. You're the best!

XO Suze

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Buddy's (Fenway's) story:

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Well as you know, he belonged to a homeless couple I met at the park. He was ill, but they wouldn't allow me to take him to the vet's when we first met. I left my name, numbers and email and made it clear they could call me if they ever needed to do so. I received the call this week ~ a bit over two months later. They wanted me to take him. I of course said "Yes!" They didn't show up on the day scheduled. I waited two hours, to no avail. I was heartbroken and so was Mom (my mother-in-law wanted to adopt-sight unseen). My husband told me to be understanding and patient. The next morning as I was leaving for the park to feed the ferals, the phone rang. It was Marty telling me they'd had car trouble and couldn't get to the park the previous morning (huge exhale). Could I meet them this morning (Tuesday)? "Yes! Of course." All arrangements were made and I hurried to the park to feed the ferals and then pick up Buddy.

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When I saw Buddy I was so sad. He looked horrible. Red from head to toe and still without the use of his left hind leg. I picked him up immediately and gave him a hug. Greg, Marty and I all hugged and said our thank yous a zillion times. I had brought a new collar and leash, a comfy little kitty bed with a soft fleece blankie and as soon as Buddy saw me he nearly jumped into my arms and went directly to the bed! It was as if he had been waiting months for me to return. He knew who I was immediately and I sensed it. I took off the chain that was his leash and said we didn't need it (and whispered into his ear "You will never see another chain.") It was all kind of magical. I'll never forget it. I didn't remove his original collar immediately, so the one you see is his old one.

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While Buddy rested in the car Greg, Marty and I exchanged valuable info, more hugs and hope. Then I started the car and Buddy and I were off to begin his new life and to see the vet! The drive was a blast. He's a wonderful dog. Loved his new car, the view, his bed, me...the list is endless. He was happy. Not nervous or anything...simply happy. He knew. We arrived early at the vet's, but were wisked right in even though the waiting room was full (I felt horrible about that), but when Buddy came into the waiting area in his little bed with just his face and paws peeking out, he was a hit. The place went nuts! He stunk to high heaven, the ride was almost impossible with the stench, but we all pretended not to notice because he was so precious and loving. And his tail was wagging. He was at the Vet's and his tail was wagging! One of the techs said "I've never seen a dog come in with his tail wagging." Buddy was just so happy to be there. Is that insane, or what? And what's even better is that when he entered the waiting room, he looked like a king, not a pauper. He was so proud of himself, despite his smell and his appearance.

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Buddy was brilliant at the vet's. He had to have so many tests, x-rays, exams, etc., but he was still happy and wagging his tail. We were all amazed. He was cleared for heartworm, but diagnosed with mange after a skin test. There are two kinds of mites: the kind that are easy to treat and the kind that are difficult to treat. Of course he has the difficult ones. He also has a few sores and terrible loss of hair. Once his mites are history his hair will grow back and the sores and redness will go away.

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Then it was on to x-ray. Dr. Griffith had determined there was nothing wrong with his nails as I was told, it was his hip. X-rays revealed what we suspected. His hip was dislocated. It was an old injury that had never been address, so the ball that goes into the socket was just a big glob of scar tissue. It looked horrible on x-ray. His leg muscles had atrophied and that is why he only has the use of three legs. As Dr. Griffith and I were standing in the glow of the x-ray room discussing options I said "The way some animals are treated just breaks my heart." He took my upper arm in his hand and turned me to face him and said "You amaze all of us here, we adore you. And you've done it again. Buddy has a chance now because you cared." I wanted to hug him to death and I wanted to cry, but instead said "Thank you." I'll never forget his kind words, nor that moment. He asked what I planned to do with Buddy and when I told him Mom had already agreed to adopt, his face lite up and he said "Suzanne, you're remarkable." I'm going to keep those two compliments safely tucked in my heart.

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I had been at the vet's for hours, but had to leave while Buddy had a bath (medicated), nails clipped, etc. When I returned he was happy as ever and the entire staff had fallen in love with him because he was such an easy, laid-back, sweet dog. We went to pay the bill and I was busy talking to another client and a vet tech when I heard the words "That'll be $100.15." I said "Are you joking!?" I was told "Nope, that's how it adds up." The other client said "For God sakes just pay the bill and run!" I was hoping the bill would be around $300, but knew it would probably be between $400-$500, so $100!? That didn't make sense. When I arrived home Rob and I discussed it and realized I'd received a HUGE discount, but we were both busy and neither of us thought to look at the bill. I looked at it the following morning and was amazed. Almost every procedure had the word "Courtesy" before it. I cried. Sometimes people are so good.

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Buddy and I went straight to Mom's house from the Vet's, and I was trying to think of ways to soften the blow of his appearance, but when the door opened and she saw him, it was love at first sight. She said "Aren't you just beautiful." I exhaled. I'll never forget it. They were and are a match made in Heaven. Buddy (now Fenway) has blossomed with Mom, and Mom is beyond excited. I visited them Saturday and couldn't believe after only three days together, how deeply they love one another and how profoundly the relationship has changed their lives. The joy is overwhelming in that house! My dear friend, Renee, and I were talking today (Mother's Day) and she and the kids love Fenway's story and have been waiting for the conclusion. We agreed that nothing is perfect in life, but that this is as close to perfection as we will probably ever get. The stars aligned...life is beautiful.

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Thank you for all your kind words and support. I copied the original comments before losing the first post and will hopefully create a scrapbook for Fenway to celebrate his rebirth in our family. Your comments will be included. You are such dear friends and I love you very much. Thank you for taking this journey with us.

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Suzanne XO

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P.S. Just so you know, Fenway's taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.