“Thank God for Buddy!”
They say good things come in small packages. Just ask Denise Lamott, whose tiny, 10-pound poodle-schnauzer mix saved her life!
Scrolling through the Kokomo Humane Society’s Facebook page, Denise Lamott noticed an adorable mixed breed pup named Huey.
Huey was Dad’s name! she thought, marveling at the sign.
It hadn’t been an easy year for the 58-year-old Peru, Indiana, animal-lover. Not only had she lost both her wonderful father and beloved 17-year-old dog, but she had battled lung cancer.
Now that she was feeling better, she could use a little something to pick her up. Or a little someone, Denise smiled, driving to the shelter.
It was Buddy’s yapping that saved my life!
When she met Huey, however, there didn’t seem to be a connection—not like with the little poodle-schnauzer, Buddy, in the back who kept barking as if to say: What about me? I want to be your friend!
“I have just one rule: No tiny yappy dogs,” Denise had told shelter workers. But despite his heart murmur and cataracts, eight-year-old Buddy was playful as a puppy.
“He’s been adopted twice, and twice he’s been brought back. I don’t suppose he’ll be here much longer,” the shelter volunteer said, and Denise’s heart broke. Needing portable oxygen after her cancer treatment, she understood the 10-pound pup. Just because you have a few health problems doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be loved! she sighed.
Take me home, and I’ll be a good boy! Buddy yapped—and Denise couldn’t resist.
Right away, Buddy settled in. And as Denise tossed a ball for him and scratched his ears, he hardly barked at all. licking at the roof and the extreme heat had combusted several windows.
“Step back, ma’am,” a firefighter advised.
Denise backed off, but Buddy stood, barking between the firemen and the front door.
He doesn’t want them to go inside, Denise realized. And it struck her: “You can’t go in! There are oxygen tanks inside. They could explode!”
Everyone retreated. Neighbors took Buddy as paramedics loaded Denise into an ambulance. And just then, one oxygen tank after another exploded, fueling the inferno further.
Denise shuddered, realizing: Buddy saved all our lives! After two days of treatment for smoke inhalation, Denise was released from the hospital. And the moment she saw Buddy, he leapt into her arms. I told you I’d be good if you brought me home! his kisses seemed to say. Today, Denise and Buddy have a new apartment and are back to taking daily walks. (And Huey has a “fur”ever home with another family, too!)
“I didn’t want a yappy dog, but it was Buddy’s yapping that saved my life,” Denise marvels. “He may be only ten pounds, but he’s my big, strong hero!”
“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.”
I was browsing at the Goodwill thrift shop when I found the perfect thing—a beautiful turquoise top with a matching shrug and black pants! “That outfit looks awesome on you! You should get it!” a woman standing nearby commented. But when I counted my money, I found I didn’t have enough. I started to put the outfit back on the rack, when the woman stopped me. “I was recently blessed with some extra funds. Let me buy your new duds,” she said. I couldn't believe it! I gave her a big thank-you hug. I looked wonderful at the party, thanks to my special angel!