24 June

Mutt And Jeff

by Jon Katz

When Bud first met Zinnia, she was smaller than he was. That has changed, but they were friends from the first, and friends still. Zinnia even sits and stares at chipmunk holes with Bud.

They play, they wrestle, they chase one another through the yard and all over the house. The snuggle up in the winter, sleep next to each other in the summer.

Every time I see them together, I smile and think of Mutt and Jeff, another unlikely pair.

Bud is a generous soul. I remember how he kept the sheep off of Red when Red was sick and the sheep were starting to challenge him.

They never got past Bud. But took Zinnia under his small wing when she came to the farm, looking out for her and making her feel at home.

And Bud can handle himself now that Zinnia is much bigger.

He can still can underneath her stomach and manage to flip her over on her back. I love this friendship. There is something funny and improbable about it, there is something very warm and inspiring about it.

2 Comments

  1. Bud has always touched a special place in my heart. I am a Lab lover throught and through…but I have to admit…Bud is the one I always look for in your posts. I’ve been reading your blog since you had Julius and Stanley…and I think Bud is my favorite of all your dogs. Bud’s life is a symbol to me of the way I want to live my life. Not holding on to resentment,
    watching for ways to make the life of other’s easier, finding joy in simple thing. Thanks Jon, for presenting him to us.

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