Little Buddy

The tiny puppy I adopted back in Missouri has turned one year old. We celebrate his birthday in early March as he was judged to be about four weeks old when I found him in a ditch in early April last year. He has had trouble with his legs for his whole life and during his one year check-up we learned he has hip dysplasia. He can’t walk normally with his back legs, but is still surprisingly active and able to enjoy his life.

Andy built a ramp to make it easier for him to come in and out of the house, and a sling enables me to help him in and out of the car. He does not seem to be in pain and in fact is a happy and engaging little fella with a sweet attitude. He is tightly bonded with Princess and she continues to mentor and mother him. When he came home from the vet with all those strange smells upon him, she licked him all over and laid close until he came out from under the sedative.

On Saturday, he graduated from Beginning Obedience Class with pretty good grades (expectations were adapted to take his disability into consideration). He now knows SIT, STAY, DOWN, HEEL, COME, DROP IT, and LEAVE IT. He also knows TEETH and will open up wide for examination. Pretty good I think. He is anxious to please and tries his best. He may have a tough road ahead as he grows older. But we love him and are committed to giving him the best possible pain-free life for as long as we can. He has brought much joy into our lives.

So Happy Birthday, Little Buddy and Congratulations on your Graduation!