She Called Me Buddy

She Called Me Buddy

By Deirdra Hawthorne Mathes

“Did you send for me?” Mal asked as he entered.

“I did. I have another mission for you.”

Mal sat, “Already? I just came home.”

“I know but this one is serious, and it needs to be assigned at once; you will be perfect for it. “

“I am honored you think so.” Mal rose. He would never resist an important assignment.

“I do. Please get the details and leave at once. Oh… and Mal? “

He paused at the door, “Yes?”

“This one is going to be hard, but you can do it."

______________________________

I was close enough to see the people talking but not close enough to get noticed. Not only had I been walking for a long time- but I was also hungry enough to eat cat food. But for now, I needed to wait and watch. I needed the right person.

The man smiled like he was holding a new bone. The lady looked like I felt- lonely and sad.

“Good morning, Annie.” The man said.

Stooped over her walker, the older woman responded. “Who are you?”

“I’m Malcolm, the new store owner. We met last week.”

“Oh, that’s right. I get a little muddled sometimes.”

She reached into her shirt pocket, pulling out a five-dollar bill and some loose change. She studied it.

“I need a banana and apple, a loaf of bread, half a dozen eggs and some milk- a little one.”

Malcolm smiled warmly. “I'll get them for you. Why don’t you sit on your walker? It’s a beautiful morning.”

Stepping around her walker, Annie joked, “It is. But give it a couple of hours -- we will be able to fry an egg on the sidewalk.”

Malcolm chuckled and went inside. Annie slowly sat.

This was my moment.

I cautiously scooted toward her. I didn’t want to scare her. A little closer-she was busy looking at the building across the street and didn’t notice. So, I humbled myself and let out a tiny whimper.

“Well, hello there. Where did you come from?” She reached out with a thin, soft hand.

I scooted close enough for her to rub my head. Ah- there’s was nothing like good rub.

To show my appreciation, I licked her hand. She let out a girlish giggle, surprising both of us.

"Who have you got there?” Malcolm asked as he walked out with bags.

I dropped my ears and would have scooted back but the lady kept rubbing my head.

“I don’t know. He just came up to me. Do you know him?”

“No ma’am. I’ve seen him hanging around here, but he wouldn’t let me get close. I guess he’s a stray.”

Annie’s rubbing turned into a scratch behind my ear. I rewarded her by thumping my foot against the ground. Another giggle.

“I don’t remember seeing him around here,” she said.

The man squatted and reached for me, but I scooted back. I didn’t want to be taken. “Hey buddy. Have you met a friend?” He extended his hand to be sniffed. I wasn't sure about him, so I stayed back. As the man stood, he turned his attention back to the lady…I crawled back under her hand. It felt too good to stop.

“Annie, I have some extra bananas and apples for you.”

Annie shook her head.

“No charge, I have so many, I am running a special-buy one, get two free. Also, I’ve got some eggs that need to be eaten soon. Would you mind taking a dozen? Same price as six.”

Annie was no fool, but she couldn’t think of a way to say no without being rude.

“Ok- thank you.” Ignoring his hand to help her stand, Annie gestured to the walker.

“Can you please put the bag under the seat? It lifts.”

Malcolm placed the bag and shut the lid.

“Isn’t that a nifty thing?” Do you need a ride home Miss Annie?”

Already walking away, the pup hesitantly followed. “No thank you. I like to walk.”

Malcolm watched the newly found friends walk away. He tilted his head upward.

Lord, I have been praying for people to help since I moved here. I feel like it’s my mission. I believe you want me to help Annie. Please direct my actions and give me the wisdom and the provisions to make a difference in her life.

I looked back at the man from the store. He was staring at the sky. As Annie walked on, I wondered if I should stay or go with her.

Deciding she was my person, I followed her. ______________________________

I was glad the walk was short – my paws were tired.

Her small house had tall grass.

She carefully took the three steps onto the porch. Unlocking the door, she went inside. I expected to wait outside, as usual. It takes time to trust. But I was surprised when she opened the door and said:

“Come on in, I’m about as thirsty as a hound dog.” She chuckled at her own joke.

I got the joke. With a short body, fluffy hair and little ears that stood up, I looked nothing like a hound dog.

She pulled out a pitcher of water, poured out a glass for her and a bowl for me. I waited like a gentleman, until the bowl hit the floor-then I attacked it like ants on ice cream.

"You must have been thirsty!” Annie said. “I bet your hungry too. Let me sit a spell and then I will make us some eggs and toast.”

Water was good. Laying on the clean floor, the cool tile, I was content. As she got up to cook, I wagged my skinny tail with rapid approval.

The delicious smell filled the room. I stood up in anticipation but stayed out of the way. She set a plate of food on the table and one on the floor, I wanted to let her know how grateful I was. I licked her hand before she pulled away.

______________________________

After we ate, Annie looked at me thoughtfully.

“Well, pup I think we need to talk. I like having somebody in the house with me. I can’t have a cat - they make me sneeze, or I’d have a dozen. The neighbors would call me the old cat lady.”

In solidarity, I sneezed. I didn’t like cats.

Annie grinned. “You seem like a well-behaved dog, but you smell as bad as a polecat’s behind. I may be poor, but I like clean. I take my showers even when I don't feel like it, so you will have to the hard thing too- and get regular baths.”

Bath was a bad word. I looked away.

“And I won’t have a lot of food, but I'll share what I can. So…what do you think? Do you want to stay?”

I tilted my head, studied her, and I walked over to lay my head on her knee.

“I guess that’s a yes." She rubbed my head. "I’m Annie. Let’s see… I need a name for you…Hmm…Mr. Malcolm called you Buddy. I like it. So, I will call you ...Buddy.”

Just to see her smile, I let out a tiny bark.

______________________________

My life with Annie settled into a rhythm. I suffered through baths without a fight. I even helped by jumping in and out of the tub. It was a small price to pay for regular food, a safe home and a loving hand.

And I loved Annie.

Her voice was always kind. Her touch was never harsh.

I stayed by her side always. On good days, she played the piano and I’d curl up on the soft blanket in the music room. Other times. I snuggled next to her on the couch. She’d talked to me, and I would wag my tail or nuzzle her in response.

She would show me pictures of her mom and dad and the man she loved.

“That’s my Bill,” she said, pointing to the photo. “He went to heaven a long time ago. He was my man-so handsome and so funny. I would just lean against him, and he’d look at me and I would feel loved. Someday I will see him again.”

She kissed the frame and set it on the little table next to where we were sitting.

Each day, I would lay beside her in the little room with papers taped on the walls. She read from the big book in her hands. Then she’d rest her hands on the papers and whisper words I didn’t understand. The room felt special.

I lay very still there.

The only time I felt I had failed her was when she was trying to figure out a crossword puzzle. There was just no way for me to tell her- a four-letter word for dog food -was ‘Alpo’. I tried to make up for it; by making her laugh- chasing a ball she had pulled off an old cane, dancing in circles for apple slices and running around the house just for fun.

I loved hearing her laugh.

One time, near the store, some mean-eyed kids came up on skating boards and tried to scare her. I went after them like I was a big dog with sharp teeth. I made such a racket Malcolm came running.

“I have never heard Buddy bark like that!” Annie said, hand on her chest.

“He is a good protector." Malcolm patted my head. "Thanks for taking care of Annie.”

“He’s a good friend. He gives me so much happiness,” she said, handing Malcolm her list.

Malcolm smiled. “This list reminds me of something, Miss Annie, I was cleaning the back of the store and found a couple of bags of dog food with small tears and some used dog toys. I was going to throw the food out and donate the rest …. unless you want them.”

“I know it’s too much for you to carry. I could bring it by after work-if you would like.”

Annie smiled at Buddy.

I was cautious when Malcolm came to the door. I came to trust him at the store, but this was different. I started to growl…but when I looked into the man’s eyes, I felt calm.

It seemed like he loved her too.

After that day, Malcolm would surprise her with ‘‘extras.” When he found Annie made banana bread, he brought her the overripe bananas. She always gave him a fresh loaf in return.

One day, he brought her zucchini. I turned my nose at it -disgusting stuff. When he left, I watched him through the screen door. He crossed the street and talked with a man mowing his lawn.

The next day, when we came home from the store, Annie’s lawn had been mowed. At first was Annie was upset, but the man-Mike-said he just wanted to bless her. She gave him a loaf, too.

Word spread.

People came to see Annie. Some brought food. Mike brought her a couple of chairs for the porch. Others just came to talk.

Some brought me treats. Those were my favorite visits.

______________________________

We had been together for a time.

Annie got older. Getting out became harder. She stopped playing the piano and spent most of her time on the couch or sitting on the porch, watching the neighborhood. People checked on her. Some encouraged her to move to a place that could help her more. But she always hugged them and said she was happy -with me.

The days were getting hotter, and we hadn’t walked in a while. When I needed to, I used the doggie door the neighbor had installed. But I never stayed out long. I knew something wasn’t right. I wanted to stay close to my Annie.

Then one morning, Annie didn’t get out of bed. Her big book was on her lap. I lay beside her and watched her write a note. With a sigh, she folded the paper, wrote on the front and set it and the book beside her.

Then she turned to me. Her eyes, full of love.

“You have been the best dog. My best friend. I remember when I met you and Malcolm. That day turned my life around.”

I snuggled closer.

“What you never knew is that I was praying for company. I was so lonely. I prayed all the time that God would send me someone, even an angel. That’s why I let you in so easily. It’s also why I let Malcolm sneak to me all those groceries. I knew God had answered my prayer. Then He worked through Malcolm to give me more friends.

She smiled softly, “I love you, Buddy.”

I looked at her hoping she could see how much I loved her. I laid my head on her chest.

She picked up the photo of her Bill and held it close. Her other hand rested gently on me.

With a smile, she closed her eyes.

I licked her hand until she fell asleep.

______________________________

Mike came to tell Malcolm- Annie had died in her sleep. Buddy had barked nonstop until Mike came over to check on her. He handed Malcolm the letter Annie had left. Solemnly, Mike gave his friend’s shoulder a firm squeeze, then turned and walked away.

Malcolm switched the sign on the store to CLOSED, locked the door, and sat down heavily on a crate. With tears in his eyes, he held the letter addressed to him. He opened it.

______________________________

My dearest Malcolm,

I am so thankful you came into my life. I had prayed God would send me an angel to help me and comfort me. For a while, I thought it might be you.

I want you to know how much your friendship meant to me. You brought comfort to a lonely, old woman. Your kindness encouraged kindness in others.

I pray blessings over you. I pray God will fill your life with the same love and compassion you showed me.

I would ask you to take care of Buddy, though I have a sneaky feeling he will be gone.

I will see you one day in Heaven.

Love, Annie.

______________________________

Wiping away tears, Malcolm stood to go find Buddy.

He was surprised to see the scruffy dog standing by the edge of the store.

“Hey Buddy”.

Malcolm took a step towards him but paused when he saw the look in Buddy’s eyes.

Later, Malcolm would say Buddy smiled at him, nodded-

-then vanished.

______________________________

Malach walked in and announced, “I’m back.”

Raphael said, “I know. How was it?”

“The hunger and poverty were difficult. The ending … very hard. Very sad. But experiencing her love- watching others show love—that was rewarding. Malcolm is a wonderful servant of God.”

“And Annie! She was amazing. She had so little, but she never complained. She prayed fervently and loved deeply. It was an honor to be with her. To care for her. We had a real friendship.”

“I am happy for you- and for her.” Smiling Raphael asked, “By the way, what did she call you?”

“Buddy”.

Raphael laughed, “Haven’t you been called that more than once?”

“I have. This was my fourth time. I must look like a ‘Buddy’.

Raphael chuckled, “We knew this mission would be challenging. That’s why we have a surprise for you.”

“As long as it is not another assignment, I could use some recharge time.”

“Come on, this will warm your heart.”

As they walked out together, Malach-Buddy- looked across a field.

They saw a couple walking.

The woman leaned against the man.

He looked at her.

She looked loved.

______________________________

A Note from the Author:

For most of my life, there has always been at least one dog in my home. I often find myself contemplating the deep, soulful nature of man's best friend. Their ability to connect with us—sharing our joy, caring for us in our pain, and responding to our needs—makes me think there’s something truly unique about them. Something special. Beyond being “just a dog.”

After 17 years together, I lost my beloved ‘Katie Girl’ last spring. This story is dedicated to her and all my ‘best friends’ that came before her.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11