Buddy is enjoying the quiet life

It’s certainly been busy of late.

Every day it seems I’m either on the phone, chatting online, or enjoying a frozen hot chocolate at Cattle Dog, with the movers and shakers who make Citrus County such a joy to write about.

I’ve noticed a certain pattern in many of these conversations. Sure, we talk about politics. Mainly, though, there’s a common theme from whoever it is I’m chatting with:

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How’s Buddy?

Forget that I’m trying to save the free world from the takeover of 3-story storage bins; what folks really want to know is whether Buddy is adapting to his new home. (Read all about Buddy's plight here.)

Someone with whom I have deep conversations about the library summed it up the other day: “You can’t have too much about Buddy.”

OK, well, I’m here to please. Since it’s Friday, my Buddy blog:

— Buddy is doing great, thanks very much. He eats well. He seems rather healthy even though he takes medication for certain treatments.

— it’s fun to watch Buddy and Deb. My wife has never owned a dog, and she swore she’d never want one. When I brought Buddy home that morning from U.S. 41, she still wasn’t too keen.

But the poor guy was too stinkin’ (literally) cute. Then Deb said, “No way is he coming into the bedroom.” Next thing, Deb’s buying Buddy beds for strategic locations in the house — including the foot of the bed.

Still not sure if Deb likes dogs. I know one dog she loves.

— It’d been a long time since I had a dog, so all three of us were new at this. We bought Buddy a crate, and he took to it right away. Almost too much. Rousting him out of the crate in the morning can be a little challenging.

Then we decided he had earned free roaming privileges. The crate door now stays open for Buddy to come and go, as he pleases. He’s still not crazy about me flipping on the light at 6:30 a.m. for his morning constitutional, but he tends to move around when he sees me move around.​

Buddy when I first brought him home in December, at left, and last week during a car ride. Look at the difference in his eyes and expression.

— You know Daisy, the Bumstead’s dog who follows Blondie and Dagwood around the house? That’s Buddy. He wants to be where we are. He’s not a pest. Even in the kitchen, he just sorta hangs out.

— That said, he is a dog and a member in good standing of the Fraternal Order of Canine, which requires him to be on constant guard for a morsel falling to the floor. We’ve been very good at feeding Buddy nothing out of the ordinary. But, boy, we both just want to sneak him a piece of bologna here and there.

(I don’t know how long we can hold out. We’re not training Buddy for the Westminster Dog Show. So what if he’s a little spoiled? And, yes, I’m trying to talk myself into it.)

— It’s not that Buddy doesn’t enjoy car rides, they're just not his favorite. He’s a little clumsy, and he seems uncomfortable in the back seat. I don’t push it; every so often, we load him up for a spin. 

— He’s looking great and obtaining some confidence. I tell him all the time how handsome he is. He rarely whines or barks. Sometimes he barks in his sleep and moves his paws as if chasing rabbits. Deb wonders if he misses his old life. Buddy certainly seems deep in thought at times, especially out on the porch.

— Buddy is sweet and affectionate. Never experienced this before — a dog that hugs. He enjoys our affection more than anything (other than eating). He’s safe and secure here, and he knows it.

My thinking is Buddy wasn’t necessarily abused in his old life, but he was neglected. Some of his medical issues should have been prevented. And, while he’s at ease around people, the love he receives from Deb and me is new to him. We watch over him like a child. He has our immediate attention. 

I can’t tell you how much happiness this dog has brought into our lives. One simple act of kindness — me stopping along the highway in the early morning fog — has brought joy that neither of us has ever experienced. 

I can see Buddy getting his own blog — Just Buddy Citrus.

Naaah. Don’t want to give him a big head.

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