They always say a man's best friend is his dog. And Buddy was that. We had never had a dog that we hadn't gotten from a shelter. I knew I didn't want one form a puppy mill. Some how D got it in his head he wanted a Sheltie. So I started watching the adds. There he was. I puppy left in a home where both the Mom and Dad lived. It was about 2 hours away but from talking on the phone he sounded like it would be worth it. I don't know what our two young girls would have done if he just didn't like us. Buddy was the runt of the litter and no one wanted him when they had first put the puppies up for sale. So they decided to put an add in the paper one more time and if no one bought him it would be God telling them to keep him. You see they also had two girls and they let them be in charge of having them in the house for socialization time and just letting them be used to be in the house and proper manners. They even had him almost potty trained. So it would be two upset girls either way. He was 3 months old, so a little older but still the typical fluffy puppy.

He was just the most wonderful dog and friend any man and kids could have. He hated to be scolded and would 'hide' which of course in dog language is put his paws over his eyes or head under a pillow. If he couldn't see you then of course we couldn't see him! He was always so silly when it came to bath time. He hated it. But our youngest, Michelle, had a way with him and he knew he could not say no to her. He would go with his tail between his legs but he knew he had to go. He ahd his regular antics of trying to wiggle himself underneath DH. But he also knew he loved the blow dryer, that is until he was done. And then he was DONE. Then I would take him outside and brush him, and brush, and brush and brush some more. I don't think you can ever finish brushing a long haired dog. It jsut keeps on going and you wonder how in the world a dog can have that much fur on the sidewalk yet still have a full coat. He had his 2 girlfriends. Our next door neighbor had a female sheltie the exact same age. We got them 2 weeks apart. But they always had a fence between them so they were never able to 'be 'together'. But they sure loved running the length of the fence. Sissy was the brave one. If there was another dog approaching, she would bark and bark and run around protecting her and Buddies domain. We would find Buddy up underneath our deck!

But he was able at times to wiggle under the fence and go wandering. You see about 4 blocks over the was a cute little black fluffy thing named Chocolate and she was allowed out of the house. So we knew whenever Buddy was out of the fence to go down to Chocolates house and we would find our wanderer there. But he would act like a man around around her. If we were driving, we had to get out of the drivers seat, leave the driver door open and then go get in the passenger seat and close the door. Then and only then would Buddy get in and put his paws on the steering wheel and give her his goodby, see you later bark.

Buddy remained our close friend for 12 years, Christina went off to college, Michelle went off to college and came back home because you can't stay in college and just stay in the dorms, you have to go across the street and go to classes!!!! So after she came home, we started noticing tumors on his belly. At first they were nothing but then they got real big, he couldn't eat or drink and bairly get around. Since we live in a bi-level, Charlie had to carry him down the stairs to try to do his business. It was decided to do the humane thing and put her down. Bless his heart. I fixed up a box, put a pillow and covered it up so it was a nice soft bed. Michelle was going to carry the box in. But as soon as we got to the vet, Buddy got right out of that box, proudly walked in, peed on his usual spot at the check in desk and walked with us to the room where he took his last breath. He will forever be our most favorite family pet. Love you Buddy