Welcome to the World of Buddy, the Wonderbeagle

August 28, 2000

It's official!! Buddy has made it past the one year mark of finding his tumor. All the experts thought that he wouldn't make it through this year, but he's still fighting and more importantly, he's still happy. Hooray for the Bud Man!!

Buddy Update, June 6, 2000

I apologize for not updating Buddy's info sooner. He's still with us, fighting his tumor like crazy! His new brother, Ben came home this spring and made Buddy a new (happier) man. The tumor was supposed to take his life by last Christmas, but today it's no bigger than it was at Christmas!! Buddy is a true fighter and an inspiration, in fact, he inspired me to adopt another beagle, Ellie, who is fighting cancer herself.

December 28, 1999

I just returned from 10 days with Buddy. We had a great time! He and I visited the vet, who marveled at how well he's doing. Buddy acted as the waiting room ambassador, welcoming all critters. My little man defies the odds every day. Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers.

The good news is that Buddy's getting a brother or sister soon. His brother was supposed to be Buster, but Buster unexpectedly crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge while I was home.

Buddy Update, November 16, 1999

Buddy's been coughing, which most likely means that his cancer has progressed. We're hoping for a miracle but it looks like my boy is losing the fight for his life.

Buddy Update, August 1999

When Buddy went in to get his teeth cleaned, the vet found a mass in his mouth. It turned out to be a malignant melanoma, and the oncologist has given him a year to live.

Never one to give up, Buddy and my Mom are working tirelessly to fight his diagnosis. He takes IP6 twice a day and has a 'dessert' of flax seed oil. He's on a high-protein diet, and so far the cancer has not spread.

We gladly accept all prayers, good wishes and healthy thoughts in Buddy's honor.


And now, Buddy's story.

Buddy joined our family in June of 1998. He was 5-6 years old at the time and had been rescued from a basement, along with 45 other dogs. Because he had over 100 fleas and needed 10 teeth pulled, he was considered unadoptable by the Humane Society and would have been put down. A nice woman named Melinda took him (and his girlfriend, Sadie) in until they could find a permanent home.

That's where we come in. Our other beagle, Daisy, passed away on April 11, 1995. She was 12. It took a few years until we were ready to let another dog into our hearts, but we were ready about the same time Buddy was ready for a new home.

His former owner was an elderly woman who had spent a great deal of time training and loving him, but her Alzheimer's snuck up on her and she couldn't do it anymore. He was housebroken and didn't chew on anything. All of the dogs were liberated, but I'm not sure how many of them found homes.


My mom read an article about the beagle rescue group in the spring of 1998. She called the group, and was put on a waiting list. She got the call about a month later. While she tried to pretend she was thinking about it, I knew her mind was a whirlwind of new collars, leashes, beds, and dog food. Buddy was coming home.

Think you might like to learn more about rescue dogs?

There could be a rescue dog out there, just waiting for you!


Phase 1 of the sleeping process

Now entering Phase 2
As you can see, Buddy made himself at home right away. Within 2 days, he had found his way to the chair that Daisy used to fight us for. This dog has a *rough* life!

I first met Buddy on a trip home in July of 1998. It took us a few minutes to get acquainted, but we hit it off soon after. I told him that they had adopted me, too and it had worked out great, so I was sure it would be great for him, too. He seemed to agree.


Phase 3, suspicious glance

Ahh... total relaxation! Now, if only these people would leave me alone.
Buddy did find his way into a bed, where he's pretty happy to spend his time. The one thing that always gets him out of bed is the mention of food.

In bed, but maybe there's some food in it for me.

Dad's heading to the kitchen, I'd better check for snacks.
While food is Buddy's top priority, he's also a happy man when he gets a little lovin'. If you hit the right spot while petting him, he leans against you so much that I always think he's going to fall. But even if he does fall, it just means you can rub his belly! He loves it when I scratch his armpits when he's stretching. He'll stay in a stretch as long as I keep scratching.

Excuse me, could I have some attention here?

Hey! I'm getting kinda lonely!

While Buddy is the ideal dog, he does have a few issues. Noises, small and large, scare him. If you drop a fork, he'll jump. Fireworks and thunder make him cower. His tail curves instead of pointing up, and he'll never be a show dog. Nope, Buddy was made to be an urban hound! He's never had toys, so he isn't sure what to do with them, but he does know that they're his so he carries them around with him.

He's very friendly with other dogs, and often thinks he's as big as the biggest dog he meets. He's not into walking when it's cold. On a recent cold day, he was walking around the block when he decided he'd had enough. So he planted his feet and wouldn't move. When my dad tugged on his leash, his collar came off and Buddy seized the moment. He ran all the way home! He knows where his bed is and on a cold day, there's nowhere he'd rather be.

Because my mom is now his main squeeze, he's madly in love with her. What's not to love about the woman who gives you a warm bed, food twice a day (with the occasional doggie treat) and all the petting a dog could want? Buddy also loves to visit grandma. She's the source of doggie treats, too, so he's always very excited to walk to grandma's.


Hello? Hello?

Please? I won't take up too much of your time.

While creating this page for Buddy, I hoped that even one person would be inspired to adopt a rescue beagle. Little did I know, that person was me! Meet Alice, Buddy's cyberfriend, and the light of my life.

I hope you've enjoyed sharing a part of Buddy's life. The next time you find yourself looking for a new pet, please consider a rescue dog. These dogs are generally trained, loveable and live to please you.


A Touching Story

This story brought tears to my eyes, so I thought I'd share it here.

NOT AN ANGEL

The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.

The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path."

"But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told. Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. After the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed it's head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.

The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered.

"No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who worked rescue."


"Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered."
Bob Barker

You are dog lover number since May 6, 1999.

Buddy is a proud member of the BeagleRing!.
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Top graphic courtesy of John Lascurrettes.
This page © 1999, Liz Doughty beagle lover.