Furry Friendship Bridges Home, College Life

My best friend became family on a warm, sunny June afternoon in 2003. After six months of weekly visits to the humane society, we finally found the one. Buddy’s tiny beagle-like frame looks as if he’s been dipped in rich, dark chocolate. His brown fur is accented with tan cowboy boots that he has worn every day for the past 13 years. Out of all of these great qualities, my favorite part about my best friend are his tan, expressive eyebrows. These eyebrows, which would later fade from tan to gray, would communicate to me on daily basis. He expressed little things like when he was hungry or had to go outside; but, he also used them to express his love and sense of humor, or lack thereof. Most importantly, these little eyebrows were used to communicate a bigger, more valuable life lesson that every reader can take to heart.

My rescue pup’s life lesson is that family is everything. Buddy loves his family. Most importantly, I’m Buddy’s favorite. His unfailing loyalty has given me a new appreciation of the unconditional love and loyalty that my family generously gives me.  Buddy has proved time and time again that a friend should be there through thick and thin. Throughout my high school and college years I have had my fair share of “friends”; but, the only people who have stuck with me consistently in my times of trial are my loving family members and my dog. Now instead of seeking out parties to find temporary friends, I spend my Friday nights on the phone with my sister enriching our relationship. When the weather is ripe on a Saturday afternoon I choose to go home for my brother’s golf tournament and surround myself with family, instead of raging on the lawn of a house party with random underage freshman. From the outside looking in, it may appear that my social life is bland and boring; but, my little dog has taught me that when it comes to the people in your life, it’s quality over quantity and my family is grade A.

Observing Buddy’s loyalty and love throughout our 13 years of friendship has changed my mindset and priorities. Recently finding the beauty in having a close, strong relationship with my family has made me a happier, healthier and more successful college student. I never thought that the chocolate-dipped puppy with the tan cowboy boots we saved 13 years ago would later save me, my college career and my relationship with my family with his expressive little eyebrows. Buddy’s eyebrows that express his love, sense of humor and loyalty will always be my favorite part of my little rescue pup.