Jen Hartz, Buddy's housemate, says, "My favorite book when I was a kid was Where the Red Fern Grows, a coming-of-age book about a boy and his two hound dogs. In my mind, these dogs were Yellow Labs and ever since that story captured my heart, I knew I had to have a Yellow Lab of my own. I even picked out a name- Buddy. I moved to Northern Virginia when I graduated from college and thought that as soon as I found my own place, I'd finally be able to get my Buddy. As most of you know, however, most apartments and townhouses don't allow big dogs. I also found myself moving often- sharing houses or renting apartments and/or townhomes- the timing was just never right for a dog. Seven years later, I eventually settled down in Sterling, bought a townhouse of my own and decided to go back to school.

As I was finishing my master's degree from George Mason, I decided that I would finally start looking for my "Buddy" as a graduation present to myself. In the fall of 2002, I started calling breeders and rescue groups and the puppy love really started hitting home. I couldn't possibly wait until graduation in May!!

I flew home to Alabama for Christmas that year and my Mom (also a big dog lover) suggested checking out the local shelter. The very second I saw him in that pound, I knew this dog was the "Buddy" I've been waiting for. When we crouched down in front of the crate, he came over and pressed his neck up to the opening so we could give him a scratch. He looked at me in a way I can't describe- my Mom even noticed the connection. Come to find out, Buddy was found wandering in Alabaster, Alabama at the beginning of November- the pound speculated that his owner either abused him or just turned him out.

I adopted him on December 23, 3 days before he was to be put down. I had to rent a van to drive back home after Christmas that year so that Buddy could come to live with me in Sterling. I've had a blast with Buddy- He'll be two this year sometime. He is incredibly intelligent, loves to "spoon" and is genuinely happy to be alive. If I say to him, "Dog Park?", he goes crazy!! I am in love with my dog and cannot imagine how I made it 7 years after college without him!