Buddy

Meet my new friend, Buddy. I’ve written about another Buddy, the Fawn Hill Buddy who belongs to my friend Bonnie and lives just above me here on Fawn Hill. He barks to scare the thunder away … it doesn’t work.

This is a new Buddy and he lives on Potts Branch Rd. which runs just below Fawn Hill. That’s him on the left. I’ve seen him before, running free with two or three of his buddies. Many dogs run free up here in Franklin. They become street and woods savvy. Usually they will steer clear of humans that aren’t their own.Generally speaking they are no bother and I have to admit I have stood on my porch and watched Buddy with his buddies running or walking along Potts Branch, occasionally veering into my yard where they pick up Tango’s scent and pee to let him know they are around. They look very happy.

So today I was doing some yard work. Tango had chosen to stay inside (the heat is tough on Aussies) and I found Buddy’s collar on my lawn. He’s current with his rabies and registration plus he had a nice name tag with his address and phone number. I called the number and asked if their dog was missing, explaining I found the collar. Buddy’s owner said that he had come home last night with no collar but he was fine. Since the address was just up Potts Branch Rd.  I told her I would just place the collar on my mailbox and she could collect it when she went by. She said that was fine.

I walked to the mailbox and placed it on top, as promised. Then I turned back towards the driveway and there was this handsome, reddish/brown dog looking at me, about 20 feet away.  He had started to turn away — as I said, they tend to avoid humans who aren’t theirs. But something told me I knew this dog.  “Buddy?” I said. Ears perked up, tail wagged, and Buddy walked right over.

He is well named because he is a Buddy. He was up for some petting, especially belly rubs. I turned back and collected his collar. “Is this yours?” I asked. The dang dog walked right up to me, sat down and let me put on the collar–which was a perfect fit. I couldn’t help but laugh. Buddy looked very pleased with himself and asked nicely for another belly rub.

I called his owner again who, at this point, was a bit confused but we both laughed when we ascertained this was indeed Buddy. I told her to expect him to come tonight with his collar. He followed me up the drive but reached a point where Tango’s scent was too strong and he turned around, running down the hill through the apple orchard. Off to another adventure.  ❧