RECORD STORE TALES #1019: Lil’ Buddy

Early 2006. Jen and I had been dating a few months, and I was placed at a brand new job at United Rentals in Cambridge.  Things were looking up!  I escaped the hell hole that was the Record Store, the office Bully had lost all her power over me, and I had met the girl that I knew I was going to stick with.  Life was coming together!  It was during this glowing golden time that I briefly met and fell in love with Lil’ Buddy.

We were out walking one cold Sunday in the neighbourhood when a little stray puppy with no tags strolled up to us wagging his little tail.  We greeted him and looked around for his human.  There was no-one around.  The little guy kept following us.  We didn’t know what else to do.  We brought him home and gave him some water and warmth.  I just fell for the little guy immediately.  He was so friendly, affectionate and quiet.  I named him Lil’ Buddy.  We spent a few hours with him before doing what had to be done.

It was the hardest thing to do, but the only right thing to do.  We bundled him up into the car and took him to the humane society.  It was very emotional for me, and I asked them, please please call me if he is not claimed.  He would have a loving home with us.  I didn’t know how I was going to handle a dog in my little apartment but I didn’t care.  I’d figure it out.  The little guy had won my heart.

I waited a couple days, and then called the humane society on my lunch break.  It was bittersweet to find out that Lil’ Buddy had been claimed.  I was glad that he found his human, but I was really hoping he could have stayed.  Apparently Lil’ Buddy belonged to an elderly woman, so she certainly needed his company more than I did.  I’m sure she loved him very much.  How could she not?

We only spent a few hours with him, but I’ll never forget Lil’ Buddy.  We had a very special Sunday afternoon together.  We could have been friends.  He was very special.