This is a drawing I finished last night of a black lab, named Buddy. I wanted to post this not so you could see my work, but because as I was finishing this I became so angry I couldn't sleep. I'm posting this because I want you to know Buddy's story. I want you to think about Buddy's story because I know it happens all over this country, and if one of you can just do a little something to help stop it - we'll all be better for it.
When you live on a farm in the country people seem to think if they drop off a dog they no longer want to care for, whoever lives on the farm will take it in. Over the years we've gone out in the morning to find a beagle, 2 Jack Russels, a yellow lab, a poodle, a miniature collie, a litter of mixed puppies, too many cats and kittens to remember - and Buddy. None of them ever have any tags, chips, or any identification on them so you can find an owner. We do the usual things like call the shelters, put an ad in the paper, and take them to the vet for a check up. When no one comes forward to claim them we try to find homes for them.
Usually when we take the dogs and cats to the vet we learn they're undernourished and need shots, but are basically in good health. Not so with Buddy. When the vet did xrays, she found nearly 40 pellets under Buddy's skin. Someone had shot him with either a shot gun, or repeatedly with a BB gun. The morning we found him cowering on our porch, I ran my hands all over him to check for injuries. I could feel bumps under the skin, but there were no cuts on him, no visible injuries at all. Which means he had been shot weeks, if not months, earlier. This poor dog had suffered through the wounds and healed all on his own, with no treatment. Who does something like that to an animal? And even more maddening - this dog trusted someone to love him and take care of him - and that person hurt him.
We learned Buddy is between 4 and 5 years old, and such a sweet and loving dog. No one knows more than I do that you can't justify being cruel to any animal, but being cruel to this dog is beyond belief. A friend of ours came from Dallas to ride her horse one weekend and fell in love with Buddy. The plan was if no one had claimed him after the next week, she would take him home with her. And that's how it worked out. She brought a crate, a red collar and leash, and bandana to give him some style! It's been about 4 months now and Buddy is living the life in the big D!
He goes to work and sleeps under his new owner's desk all day. Everyone in the office makes a fuss over him all day. He rides in the car with a doggie seat belt, and from all accounts, has taken on some other human traits! One of the times he came back to visit, I took a few pictures of him, and when Buddy's new owner saw them she asked me to do a drawing. So, I'd like you to meet Buddy.
When I look at those eyes, I know he's got a story to tell. We'll never know how badly he was hurt, who hurt him, or all he's gone through, but Buddy's story has a happy ending. Most of the dogs, and other animals, that are mistreated and abused aren't so lucky. So, if you have an opportunity to adopt a pet, or maybe give a few dollars to your local shelter, I hope you'll think about Buddy. And, the redheaded part of me still hopes someone will teach a lesson to whoever hurt Buddy. Maybe a load of buckshot in his butt would make him think twice about hurting anything again. I probably shouldn't have said that last part out loud.
