Buddy lives in the kitchen of our house. It’s not only because he loves to eat. He’s confined to the kitchen because he has special needs. Buddy needs to be kept away from stairs. He needs to be kept away from the front door. And, for our sake, he needs to be kept off carpet. (Sometimes he has accidents.)
Buddy suffers from degenerative disk disease. His first episode with the illness occurred in 2013, when at age three, a disk in his back ruptured. This event might have been triggered by jumping on and off furniture. The ruptured disk pressed on his spinal cord. Within twenty-four hours Buddy’s hind legs were paralyzed. My husband and I were faced with a life or death decision. Do we sign for emergency surgery to remove the ruptured disk material, or send him to doggy heaven?
We chose the surgery even though it meant months of physical therapy for Buddy to walk again. His recovery became our joint project. It meant keeping him in his crate for six weeks. It meant driving him to the animal hospital for sessions on an underwater treadmill. It meant practicing exercises to strengthen his hind legs at home.
His recovery happened in stages. After the six weeks of crate rest, there was the “walking him with his back legs lifted off the ground in a sling stage.” Eventually we entered the “walking him with a skinny strap under his belly stage.” And finally the “Yay, he can walk on his own stage.” Five years later he still drags his back feet and needs to wear booties to prevent sores. But Buddy is still walking.
Looking back, I don’t know how we did it. I was fortunate to be retired at the time, and my husband was working part time. We became known in our neighborhood as people who really love their dog. Our experience with Buddy became the inspiration for my first children’s book.
Buddy shares his life story from his point of view in Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street, a children’s chapter book for ages six to nine. The book has been released by Elk Lake and is available through Amazon. Click Here to purchase.
Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street is a Must Read
“Children will fall in love with this mischievous but lovable little beagle. Adults will also fall for the little guy as they get to see the world through his eyes. We watch him race in the dog derby, watch him deal with Blitz, a bully of a dog, and persevere with Buddy as he recovers from his accident. Buddy teaches us lessons about handling adversity and others. A delightful must read.”
Sherri Stewart, author of Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street is a quick and uplifting read for all ages.
“Author Debbie Burton speaks not only for her beagle, but for anyone facing impossible odds. When Buddy faces the challenge of not walking again, he never gives up. Buddy and his “people” learn and share a real lesson in the rewards of patience and perseverance.” —Anita Elliott
Check out the second book in the Tails of Blueberry Street series. Buddy leads his canine companions on a mission to track down the bandit who’s stealing their Yummy Treats!
“Debbie Burton has done it again! Our familiar and sweet beagle, Buddy is off on another adventure that will delight the hearts of young readers everywhere. A true educator, Burton weaves real facts into the storyline, teaching us about Florida and pet-owning while immersing us in the life of our favorite dog and his friends. A joy to read and a must for teachers and parents.”
—Tez Brooks, Writer’s Coach and Award-winning Author of The Single Dad Detour: Directions for Fathering After Divorce
Return to Blueberry Street is book 2 of the Tails of Blueberry Street Series. Released by Elk Lake Publishing 8/16/2020 and available on Amazon.
The third book in the Tails of Blueberry Street series is here!
Buddy has a whole new adventure in learning how to live well in Truckload of Trouble. Discovering a friend who is so different from him rocks the young pup’s view of love and acceptance. But through a series of adventures and experiencing the strengths of others, Buddy grows up a little bit more. Debbie Burton, with great perception into the character growth of young ones, has created a good read with insightful lessons for the whole family. —Judy DuCharme, retired elementary teacher and award winning author.
Truckload of Trouble is available on Amazon. Click here.
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