my buddy and me

I have a true friend. He is a companion, a partner, a spoiled brat, a clown, a watcher, a greeter, and a caring soul. He is my buddy, Tate.

an old man and a puppy- a true friend arrives

We got Tate when he was six weeks old. He was a bouncing, wriggling bundle of energy with needle sharp teeth and floppy jowels. He always had his mouth wide open, ready to gnaw on anything he could- earning the nickname “dog shark.” All he wanted was constant attention. He demanded it.

We always had dogs when I grew up. Kids and dogs are a good combination. We had a really cool dog, Bo, during our teenage years. He was our buddy. But as the years went by, there wasn’t time it seemed to spend too much on a dog.

We always had dogs for our kids. But they were not really my department anymore. They tore up the garden, damaged the furnishings, and constantly needed more dog food. Like Christmas- dogs were for kids.

But now the kids are grown and we had a high maintenance fur ball that could not be ignored. The old dogs and the cats did not enjoy dog shark. My wife could only do so much, with all she does and the aforementioned old dogs and cats. Tate very quickly figured out the kind of buddy he needed- was me.

I endured needle sharp teeth, skin ripping claws, and drooly jowels. When my wife went to work, he had to come to bed with me, to keep the other animals from killing him. I began to really like the little rascal.

We call dogs “Man’s best friend”. When my brother, and then my dad passed away last year, Tate sat with me. When I glanced at him, he would look at me, letting me know that we were in this together. My buddy and me. I love that little rascal. 

I now know why dogs are so good at the comforting arts. I have decided that dogs are little angels. They are a piece of God’s true love.

tate and me discussing the game during a commercial break

I think that our dogs will be in Heaven, watching over our mansion in the sky, keeping us company, continuing the love. Yes, there will be all the Doggies in paradise.  All the dogs that were loved here will be loved still. And those that weren’t, will be loved forever. They have their place in the palace.

Tate has helped me learn once again that I have a heart. What that heart is for- love. Some people like me need a dog to illustrate life’s simple lessons.  He wants me make it to my mansion, because he doesn’t want to be there without me.

buds 4ever

Proverbs 12:10- A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

If you need a true friend (and you do), consider getting one today. You can find one at your local shelter, SPCA, pound, or various dog rescues. You won’t regret having a buddy!