Support Furever Buddy's Mission

December 15, 2011 was the day we never knew we would fall in love with a red golden retriever named Jake. My friend Sally, who is also a Richland Hills resident, called and asked if our current golden, Sarge, needed a friend. I think I recall her saying “Just for the weekend. Just look at him.” When she and her sister drove up with him and he jumped out of the truck to greet us, he was freshly bathed, had a green bandana and sad but loving eyes. I heard my husband Mike immediately say “He’s in.” Sally knew that would happen.

Sally’s dad James rescued Jake from a kill shelter in East, Texas. He wanted Jake to help him on the family farm. Jake was his buddy. He loved to ride on the tractor and follow him everywhere but when James would leave, Jake would jump fences and run. Neighbors would find him and take him back to the farm but he would do it again. Sally was afraid that Jake would be hurt by their cattle if he jumped fences so she decided to bring him to Richland Hills for the weekend…but he never left. That night Jake slept on our bed, dead weight, never moved, and I believe he even snored. It was obvious he felt safe and home. 

Through the years, we had many adventures and fun times with Jake. He and Sarge became best buds. Some adventures of Jake were more fun for him than for us but that’s another story. We found out that he had separation anxiety and was afraid of storms, which explains the fence jumping at the farm. Jake loved to go anywhere with you in the car, play fetch forever, showed unconditional love, and anyone who met him was his new friend. He loved visiting the local feed store and would sit behind the counter and greet people while I shopped. He would protest when it was time to leave by dropping his body to the floor and not moving. He did that at several places I took him even the vets office as long as they had treats. 

When James passed, Sally would visit Jake and talk to him about her dad as if he understood and I believe he did because he would put his head in her lap. When Jake was in his last days, it was Sally who rode with me to the vets office. She comforted him in the backseat while I drove. I remember hearing her tell him that he would get to see Sarge, and a few of her dogs but I distinctly remember her telling Jake that her daddy was waiting for him. 

We all need to experience a rescue animal. They say, they actually rescue us and I truly strongly believe that. However, if my friend Sally calls you and shows up with an animal…well good luck with that. She has a heart of gold for the Least of These. She has had and still has several rescue animals so when I told her what I was doing she said “I’m in” even before I finished my story.

I pray that you will join us on this journey to help animals find their furever home by donating to Furever Buddy Inc a 501(c)(3) non-profit established to benefit the Richland Hills Animal Services. Our goal is to help supply needs that are not covered in their budget. All proceeds are given to the shelter and we offer you a tax receipt.

To James and Jake, where it all started. 

Furever Buddy Inc. 

est in 2024