Buddy

         My wife Sharon had come to Kansas City looking for solace after many years of dealing with the grief related to losing a husband to terminal illness after only being married for about a year. Little did I know how important a little dog could be in refueling hope and love.

         On a rainy cold morning in March, Sharon was out doing errands when she spied a little dog shivering near a bank I worked at. Little children were calling out to the dog, who barked and ran away as they approached. Sharon took pity on the dog who was No more than 6 pounds soaking wet. She called and just as quickly the dog came right to her. She called him "buddy" and the name has stuck for the five years he has allowed us to own him.