The Buddy Files
Buddy, aka The Bud, Mr. Bud, Buddy Balone, Buddy Baloney
In 1995 Darcy and I were living in an Oakland neighborhood north of Lake Merrit and not far from the Grand Lake Theater. One Saturday afternoon we decided to walk over to Lakeshore to grab some burritos. At that time there was a pet supply store on the east side of Grand just up from the theater. On that day there were several cages set up in front of the pet place, most filled with kittens. I looked in to one cage, and there was one large cat with three small kittens huddled against him. I asked the volunteer from Hopalong Animal Rescue what was the story with the big guy. The woman went on to tell me that he was four years old, had been in the shelter for a long time and had even been the Montclarion newspaper's "pet of the week", and still nobody wanted him. She also told me he had a calming effect on upset kittens, and thats why they were in the cage with him. She asked if I wanted to hold him, and we went inside so if he ran, he wouldn't get too far. He made a few half hearted attempts to get away from me, but at that moment I pretty much knew I was gonna take him. Darcy and I went to lunch to think about it, but as far as I was concerned it was a done deal. Over the years he's been a great friend. He's been really good with the girls. He's slow to anger, quick to forgive. During the day, if I'm home, he's never too far from me. In fact, as I type this, he's on my lap. He's a good cat.
	Bud on the patio at sunset. 2006. San Ramon, Ca
	Kate and Bud. Taken with night vision. Oct. 7 2003. Oakland, Ca
	Hey, mighty hunter... It's a snake. May 4th 2004. Oakland, Ca He was oblivious to it. It got away.
	Backyard. May 2007. San Ramon, Ca
	Nora and Bud. March 2007. San Ramon, Ca
Thank you Hopalong and FOFAS for helping bring Bud into our lives.

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