Bud and I have always been tight, but something has changed in the past few months. Our bonding has gone to another level four years of training, patience, and affection (treats helped also). Every morning, I put on my surgical shoe (two more months before my new orthotic brace).

It’s Bud’s signal to jump in my lap for a hug.

I have always heard it can take years for a traumatized dog to get past it; I think Bud is past it now I’ll never forget the first time we met him, and he rode on my lap all the way home shaking.

I sensed Bud was afraid of men – he had good reason – so I moved slowly and carefully with him.

A few months ago, he decided to sleep in my lap for the first time, and now, that is his favorite resting spot when I am reading or even taking a nap. I like it, I scratch his ears while he’s sleeping, and I think I hear him purring like a cat. Maria got a photo of what she calls our “morning smooch,” which is now a daily tradition. It’s an excellent way to start the day.

My new motto is don’t give up on dogs. Bud has prompted me to start my Dog Support program. Don’t give up. If you need help with a dog, check out dog support. I take on small behavioral issues as well. But 23 million dogs were adopted during the pandemic, and many of them are being returned to shelters because people went back to work or just didn’t know what they were getting into.

A new mission of mine is helping people with dog troubles.