Buddy, yellow lab

Man and Lost Dog Reunited After 5 Years
Titusville FL
2007-12-30

Buddy the dog has a new home, but he also has an old friend, the man who sought high and low for him when the dog was stolen five years ago.

Walter Smith bought the yellow Lab after the death of his wife, and he and the dog were constant companions. One day, at The Home Depot in Merritt Island, Buddy vanished from the van.

Buddy's loving nature may have been his downfall, said Smith, who lives in Titusville. "I left him sitting in my car, and I wound the window down by a couple of inches. If anybody came up to him he'd start wigglin, you know. I think they just reached in and opened the door, and he was gone"...

My paraphrase & some quotes:

Smith had done all the shelter searches. The police officer who handled the report hooked the Smith up with a papillon puppy. Smith still though about Buddy the lab.

Beth Beeco delivering express mail last spring noticed beautiful lab. She and her sister, Linda Rodman, notice dogs - have 10 dogs- tend to rescue. She complemented owner, who said 'they're moving, going to take him to pound, do you want dog.

She saw condition of dog, said yes. Dogs name was Buddy (hmm kept same name thief must have known dog). Infested with hook & ringworm, fleas, marred by sores & horrbly overweight she did take Buddy.

They also happened to find a stray in street, eventually they found that owner on the lost dog site, but also happened to see picture of Buddy there. If it wasn't him, he had a twin. Buddy almost is certainly the Buddy, Smith's Buddy, whose name was on his tag when he was lost.

Beth Beeco contacted Smith and, the dog was reunited w/ 91 yr old Smith. It was bittersweet for Smith who said "it's like finding a lost child". After an overnight tryout he found Buddy too much dog with the pappy and his age. Buddy seemed to miss the sisters and their pack of pups.

The sister & their pack have Buddy now and he is healthy & happy. The sisters took Buddy again to visit Smith. He enjoyed Smith's cuddling but spent most of his time with the sister, perhaps afraid of moving again, loosing another home.

An almost unbelievable series of events he has his old friend and his new family. There is really no such thing as coincidence. Regained his health and he's a happy dog.

Smith says " I wish I could take care of him. It would be wonderful but couldn't walk & excercise him the way he needs. They agreed to take care of him, and anytime I want to see him I'd have that opportunity, that's wonderful absolutely wonderful".

Source: http://pets-n-people.net/vb/showthread.php?t=1468