Saving Buddy by Nicola Owst
I love to read heartwarming books about rescue dogs and Buddy’s story is truly amazing. I have always had a fondness for Staffordshire Bull Terriers, there are so many misconceptions about the breed and I love to see them portrayed as the loyal and caring dogs that they really are.
If you are interested in learning more about the Staffy breed, just press here.
Here is a little more about Saving Buddy :-
In my darkest hour, I reached for a hand and found your paw’
When Nicola found Buddy, abandoned and broken, she vowed to do all she could to help save him. What she didn’t know at the time was that this little dog would in turn save her.
Monday morning, 27th April 2009.
The sat nav told us we’d reached our destination. The rain was pelting down, the kind that feels as if buckets of water are being chucked at the windscreen.
I’ll never forget that day. The horror, fear and the uncertainty of what was to come are still etched on my memory. But I didn’t know that in that moment, somewhere off the M1 in a place that seemed as unnerving as it was eerie, I would find something so precious that would change my life forever.
That was the day I discovered my Buddy, abandoned in a crate, unable to move and so frail that he only had moments to live. He stopped me in my tracks, and without pausing to think I scooped him up and quickly ran from the scene. This was no place for people or animals.
Slowly, as I learned to take care of this broken little dog, I began to realise with each new day that as I was saving him, he too was helping to free me from my past.
This is the story of Buddy and me: a remarkable true story of survival, hope, and never giving up, no matter how hard life gets.
Book Review – Saving Buddy
This true story begins in April 2009 when Nicola goes with her friend Sally to rescue a frail, unwanted foal. Just before leaving they notice a dog, almost dead, tucked inside a rusty, metal crate. It’s the worst animal cruelty Nicola has ever seen. As she wraps him in a towel and lifts his limp body she says ” I’ve got you now, Buddy” and the rest is history.
The vet didn’t think Buddy’s chance of survival was good, but Nicola persevered and he began to grow stronger. As we learn more about Nicola’s childhood it is easy to see why she has such an affinity with the sad and broken dog. As Buddy gets older he develops a caring side to his personality, a sixth sense which tells him when someone is ill or struggling. He has turned into a playful, puppylike dog with a huge love for life.
Buddy went on to represent Staffordshire Bull Terriers at Crufts in 2016 and has become a regular ever since.
There are lots of amazing photos showing Buddy’s recovery and more recent pictures of him as an adored family dog. What strikes me about the recent photos is that Buddy appears to be smiling in all of them!
There is a chapter at the end of the book called ‘Adopting A Rescue Dog’ which takes you through the adoption process and offers useful tips about adoption.
All dog lovers will enjoy this story and it shows the Staffie to be a far different breed than so harshly perceived by many.
I think what I loved most about this book is that it shows how a dog so cruelly let down by humans can move on, trust, love again and find enormous joy in the world. This is such an inspiring story, one that I will never forget.
Thank you to Mel Sambells at Mirror Books for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Author Bio
Nicola Owst is a busy working Mum. She was born and brought up in Leicestershire and lives with her husband Jon and toddler son Toby. Together they love the outdoors and exploring the countryside with their beloved rescue dogs Buddy and Susie.
Here are a few posts I have written about rescue dogs which may be helpful if you are thinking of fostering or adopting a homeless dog. There are loads more to be found using the search browser on the blog home page.
A letter I wrote to my rescue dog Darcy
Things to know if you are thinking of rescuing a dog.
Lucy’s Law – ban on Puppy Farming
Thank you for reading.