I’m a Finder and I’m a Keeper

Whoa! Where is my Mom? Where is she? Dude, I can’t find her. I’ve been walking around the house for the last few – well it seems like quite a while looking for her. I checked all the usual spots. Kitchen, this is where the food comes from. Nope, don’t see her. Office, this is where she does – well office things. Nope don’t see her. Bathroom, this is where she tells me to stay outside. Nope, don’t see her. My noggin hurts. She’s got to be here somewhere. What would my sister do? I will ask her. After some searching, I am able to track her down. At least I can find her. Hmm, she appears to be sleeping. What was it she said never to do when she was sleeping? Don’t wake her, that’s it. But Mom is missing. She will want to know that. She loves Mom. I will be the good looking guy, that doesn’t sound right, by waking her up. “Hey,” I bark. She’s asleep after all and can’t hear me. “Hey,” I bark again. This is such a good idea and she will thank me later.

I can’t seem to catch a break today. My sister wasn’t very happy about the awakening. I notified her several times Mom was missing. She was not pleased. I believe she said I was the “scarier terrier.” I don’t know what that mean. My name is Buddy. I see her all the time. I don’t believe I’m scary. You would think she would remember. And she says I’m the forgetful one. She told me to leave her alone. I think this is why I don’t wake her. She also noted Mom was on a trip and not even in the house. Gulp! Trip, I remember something about that now. My sister didn’t appear happy so I quietly exited the room. I was sure someone was here in the house. I have a sense for these things. I was sure I heard something earlier. It sounded like a cough. After that noise, I heard another cough. I hear it again now. Never fear when Buddy is near. I run upstairs to find the cough. Someone is here. Oh happy day!

At the top of the stairs, I hear more coughing. I race down the hall to the bedroom. Its Pops, he is coughing. I’m not a doctor, we just watch a lot of them on TV, but Pops doesn’t look well. I jump on the bed facing him to see if he needs assistance. His face looks weird. I want to say puffy. Yes, that’s it, puffy. New word! His nose is very red. Similar to some kind of antenna head that Mom signs about at Christmas. Presents, I love presents. Oh, Pops is sick, focus. His skin looks wet. I walk up to him and give him a quick lick. Definitely wet, got that right. Yay me! He has covered himself with blankets. He starts to cough again and the whole bed starts to shake. This can’t be good. Don’t worry Dad, Bud-man is here to help. Somewhere under there is my Pops. I cuddle up next to him to try and provide warmth.

“Is that you Bud?” he asks me. I can see one of his arms emerge, ooh emerge-good word, from the blankets. He gives me a few pets on my head. “I’m not feeling well today and you need to be the man of the house.  Watch after your sister. Your Mom is away and I need to look after things while I try to rest.” He rolls back over to sleep. Pops is down for the count with the sickness. I’ve never seen him cough and sleep so much in one day. Don’t worry, Pops. I won’t leave your side.

As the light started to fade in the room, I stayed with Pops. I snuggled up to him good and tight. Occasionally, bonus point for that big word, he would get up and “blow his nose” as I’ve heard my Mom say. Each time I got up with him and followed him to the bathroom. Sometimes while sneezing he would begin coughing again. It looked like he might fall over. I rushed over to his side and put my paws up on his leg to offer support. The last time he was up my sister came into the bathroom as well. “Pops has the sickness,” I said to her. We need to stay with him. He crawled back to bed. Both my sister me jumped up with him. She covered his body down by his legs and I got up close to his back. He was pinned. I kept watch. During the evening while Pops was asleep, I took my sister downstairs for some water. Back upstairs, the two of us stayed with him all night. I love my Pops and don’t like to see him like this. I hope you feel better soon Pops, We love you!