Monday, January 27, 2020

Buddy~The Ambassador of Good Will



BUDDY ~ THE AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL

Buddy's thoughts for his people:
'Write on your heart every day is the best day of the year.'

When I first met Buddy trotting around the neighborhood on his daily walk, along with his human, I immediately fell in love with him as he reminded me of my Ginger who I'd lost not too long ago. He was sweet and good-natured with ears that tilted forward and bounced as he walked.


Ginger~
My Ambassador of Goodwill

I met Richard, Buddy's male human, only after Buddy, the Ambassador of Goodwill, made the proper introductions. And when Stacy, Buddy's female human arrived on the scene, Buddy brought her around and solidified our relationship too.

It was John Steinbeck in his book 'Travels with Charley' who adopted the term 'Ambassador of Goodwill' for Charley his standard poodle--a dog who served to open up conversations with strangers during Steinbeck's travels across America. I loved how 'Ambassador of Goodwill' captured a dog's ability to connect people, and it became my way of looking at gregarious dogs like Buddy. 

Like Steinbeck, I meet the nicest people on the other side of the leash when their sociable dogs take the lead. The humans join in the greeting and stop for a friendly chat after the Ambassadors of Goodwill open the door with a happy greeting and tail-wag. And once we've been properly introduced by these emissaries, an opportunity for an on-going connection is forged through friendly hellos and perhaps a dog treat or two on daily dog walks. 

Rarely do I meet a human through a dog who I don't like. There is simply something deeply satisfying about sharing a love of dogs. It build a trust between humans. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat their dog. 

Buddy, who departed this world last month, was an especially gracious Ambassador of Goodwill. His happy nature brought ease and comfort to all conversations, and calmness to his people. He showed us the world is a happy place.


BUDDY ~ THE CHARMING GARDENER OF THE SOUL

Buddy was also a good layabout dog who understood the joy of doing nothing and fretting about nothing. 'Easy does it', he'd show his people. Sleep it off. Go for a run. Share a moment with a loved one. Whatever is troubling you can be waved away with the wag of the tail and a moment of petting. He was always amenable to a petting.


BUDDY THE COMFORTER

Buddy was a tender soul who comforted his people all the way to the end. When he was too weak to get up himself, he still responded to his people's sadness with a gentle tail-wag, letting them know 'everything will all be okay, but its my time to go'.



FAREWELL AMBASSADOR OF GOODWILL

While losing a dog is one of the hardest life experiences, it's a comfort to know our dogs will dwell in our hearts and souls long after they're gone~and we're better humans for knowing the love of a dog. That special power of theirs to ease our worries and tensions reemerges when we recall the tenderness they bestowed upon us and their happy tail-wags that greeted us throughout their too short lives.

Farewell Buddy, Ambassador of Goodwill.  Happy romping in the Valley of the Dogs!


Sign Up for Free E-mail updates
                        
For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.
                                                                                                    
Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

2 comments:

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sue, what a lovely tribute to Buddy! Though I'm a Cat Person, I like dogs, I just don't want one of my own. Our neighbors have a very special dog, one who is an "ambassador of good will" and brings joy to all. They will be heartbroken when his cancer finally brings him to the end.

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

Jean I love them all--cats, dogs, birds, horses, donkeys, bunnies. And I know when someone loses one of their dear furry or feathered friends they grieve deeply for the loss. What a treat it is to share our lives with animals.