Are You a Good Buddy?


My dog Buddy is a 13 year old maltipoo.

We got him when Max was about 7 because we thought it would help teach him about care and responsibility.  

And while I'm not sure that actually happened (more often than not I was the one making sure the dog had food and water, or taking him out when he needed a walk), Buddy has been a wonderful addition to our household.

For a dog, Buddy is small.  He weighs only about 15 pounds and for most of his life he has been a little white fluff-ball full of energy and vigor.  However, whenever one of us was sad, Buddy always seemed to know it.  At that point he'd snuggle up on the couch, or sit quietly as we held him and our tears wet his coat.

When Chris and I divorced, Buddy traveled with Max between our two houses - providing some consistency in Max’s otherwise upside-down world.  I was grateful, and I am certain Max was grateful too.

Today I read a meme that made me smile.  It said:

"Do you know why God didn't allow our pets to speak?  It was to teach us that love and loyalty are demonstrated by actions and not words."

Too often when people are hurting or sad we ply them with hopeful sentiments, but avoid meeting them where they are - down in the mire and muck...

Words are easy - but love - real love requires more than just words.  It means a willingness to be present, even when things are messy or hard, and it requires putting aside our own wants and needs in order to serve someone else.  

In that way - I think I can learn a lot from my Buddy.

"Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10



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