Buddy was thrown out along with some siblings on a country road with few houses. They were all tied up in a pillow case with no way to escape. It was on a cold winter day with a snow on the ground. My Grandson along with some of his friends were driving along that road and seen the pillow case moving. They decided to see what it was. These puppies eyes were barely open. My Grandson brought Buddy to me. I raised that dog and he gave me so much love. There was a special bond between us. He was a beautiful blondish red color with yellow eyes. We also live on a country road with little traffic. He loved to run. He was like a streak with his tail flowing in the wind. It was late in the afternoon, I let him out for his run and a guy that deerhunts down here came up our road. Buddy decided to chase the vehicle. I yelled Buddy No! It was to late. Buddy's blood curdling screams chilled me to the bone. The man was so sorry, he tried to miss him. I took him to the vet and she told me he had a cracked pelvic bone but would be OK. A week later after all my care and forcing him to take water and a little food I decided to take him in for fluids. A different vet looked at the original x-rays and told me his back was broken. Buddy would never be the same and the pain was terrible. I had to make the decision to put him to sleep as surgery would only ease the pain but he would never run again. His yellow eyes as I walked out of that room knowing I had to let him go will haunt me for the rest of my life. The night before he died I talked to him for over an hour. He looked at me with those yellow eyes like he was hanging onto every word I said. I told him he had to get better for Moma. I think he knew it was not possible. Three weeks before he died Buddy brought home a stray. She was starving to death. Someone had tossed her out like a piece of trash just like Buddy. I hear dogs don't remember anything until they are a least three months old, I wonder? Did Buddy remember? She was the only dog Buddy would allow in the yard. Needless to say, she is not a stray anymore. How do you get the message across to humans? These animals have hearts, they feel hunger, love, sorrow and a lot of the same emotions people feel. They are not just a dumb animal. Please I beg you don't throw these animals out to die such a slow and heartbreaking death. With all the facilities available now to take these animals, why would you do this? I realize how some of the animal shelters put these dogs to sleep are inhumane. Until we can educate people on how precious most of these animal are, this inhumane treatment will never stop. I doubt if it can ever be done. Needless to say I will always take the strays in Buddy's memory. In his wisdom he knew I would love and feed her. I called our local government here to see what I had to do to put some kennels in my back yard for strays and was told I had to pay $150.00 for an application and it may or may not get approved. I offered to volunteer at our local animal shelter. Guess what? They don't accept volunteers. It's to expensive to give the person the shots they would need to touch the animals. I can't change the World and I don't intend to try. I can't save all the strays. I can't make them quit herding the animals into a room and turn on the gas. I can make a difference one animal at a time. Buddy kennel is still there and it will always be available to a stray in his memory. Buddy was not just a dog. Buddy was my friend. Run Buddy run wherever you are. The pain is gone and you're free now. You will forever remain in our hearts. Moma, Daddy, Dufas, Sugar, and your stray we call Lady.