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Meet Buddy.  Buddy spent almost his entire life "behind bars" in
an animal shelter. Buddy had been adopted out a couple of times and had been brought back for different reasons, none of which ever made sense.

Having spent some time with Buddy, I knew that he was a very friendly, happy, active and at times vocal boy. He LOVED other animals and wanted to be everyone's friends. I wished that I could have taken him home myself, but that just wasn't possible.

Unfortunately, the day came when it was time for Buddy to be put to sleep due to the inability of the shelter to find him a home. He had been at the shelter for over a year and they had done all they could for him.

It was decided that I could take Buddy and have him neutered 
and find a foster home for him. I took him to get neutered and he came to my house so I could begin the process of finding him a foster home.

This didn't take long. A wonderful woman named Amber, who  has a big soft spot in her heart for animals, decided Buddy needed to go to her house and learn a few things and we could look for a permanent home for him while he learned.

Buddy was no exception. Before long he was part of the family. He didn't act like we had been TOLD he was acting for others. In fact, he was better than we expected, especially since he had lived the majority of his life in a cage up to that point.

Amber treated Buddy as though he were her own dog. Bathing 
him, grooming him and taking very good care of him. I remember seeing him for the first time after Amber took him in. "He shines
up like a new penny" I told her. She was doing a fantastic job
with him. She and her family welcomed him and treated him as
though he had always been there. It seems all Buddy needed was a good diet, some attention and pleny of love. He received all of this and more from Amber and her family.

Sadly, one day Amber returned home from work to find that 
Buddy had passed on. She called me immediately and was very
upset saying that he deservd to have a family of his own. I tried 
my best to assure her that even though he was only a "foster" dog to her, that she and her family had been HIS family.

The months that Buddy had with Amber and her family were by
far the best of his life. He wasn't confined to a cage 24 hours a
day. He had healthy food, grooming and best of all children to
play ball with and wrestle with. 

My sincerest thanks go out to Amber and he family for all the love and care, time and attention they put into making Buddy's life a
lot better than it was in the shelter. The world needs more people
like that.

A Dog Loaned

"I'll lend you for a little time 
a dog of mine" he said.
"For you to love while he lives 
and mourn for when he's dead".

It may be six or seven years 
or maybe more than these, 
but will you, till I call him back, 
take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charm to gladden you, 
and should his stay be brief, 
you'll have his memories, 
as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, 
since all from earth return, 
but there are lessons taught down there,
I want this dog to learn.

I've looked this wide world over, 
in my search for teachers true, 
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, 
I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love, 
nor think the labour vain, 
nor hate me when I come to call, 
and take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say 
"Dear Lord, thy will be done", 
for all the joy thy dog shall bring,
for the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, 
we'll love him while we may, 
and for the happiness we've known, 
forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him, 
we'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.

Author: Unknown

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