Sign in a Pet Store:  “Barney’s Pets – Happy Endings For Sale”

Dogs (or most pets).  They don’t want much; a kind voice, a regular bite of something different, a walk, a talk, our company, fresh air.  They are pretty good at teaching us to “…do what we can, with what we have, where we are.”  (paraphrased quote from Theodore Roosevelt)

They give such companionship.  If well treated, they display such joy for the day.  Buddy, loves his routine, reminding me that young children are much happier when they, too, can predict their day.  Buddy also loves to know “what’s up next.”  Somehow, he seems to understand the weekends are mainly about him, or so he is persuaded to think. 

As we dressed early this morning, he sensed an early trip out, and eagerly looked from one to the other of us, as he sat expectantly by his leash.  As we talked, he’d cock his head to the left or right.  He was waiting to hear the word “go” which we were carefully avoiding.  He was patient, yet eager.  Highly motivated to show us how still he was sitting, he was staying out of our way so that he would be rewarded by going.

I could not stand to look at his eager face any longer, and said the magic phrase “You wanna go?”  He grabbed his leash, jumped in the chair and handed it to us so it could be fastened around his neck. 

He was at the door in seconds, ready to face the day with a dazzling smile.  He loves garage sale days and breakfast out, which always results in a small treat from the table.  Hangin’ his head out the window is a highlight of the morning, and when he tires of that, he sits in the back window looking at all the other strange creatures in the world.

Buddy loves his days, and we love to watch him loving his days. 

-Buddy’s Mom