Buddy (Golden Retriever)

Buddy was more than a dog to Margaret; he was her shadow, her confidant, her reason to get up on tough mornings. Found as a scrappy pup near a diner in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he grew into a gentle giant with a habit of carrying socks in his mouth as gifts. His golden fur seemed to glow in the evening light during their long walks by the Arkansas River. He had this funny way of tilting his head when Margaret sang off-key, almost like he was judging her pitch but too polite to bark about it. Buddy saw her through a divorce, always ready with a wet nose nudge when tears came. His last years were slower, but he still perked up for a tennis ball until the very end. Losing Buddy felt like losing a piece of her own history. Margaret says she can still hear the jingle of his collar some quiet nights. He taught her that love doesn't need words -- just a steady presence.