Little Buddy - Reunited 12/8/24

✔️✔️ WE GOT LITTLE BUDDY! ✔️✔️

Who knew that such a tiny dog could be so tough to catch? Little Buddy, as we’ve come to call him, was no amateur—he had the smarts to keep himself out of trouble and out of reach for years!

In Anakin’s Trails’ stomping grounds of Simpsonville, South Carolina, the sweetest woman reached out for help. For three years, Little Buddy had been camping out in her yard, living rent-free and dodging every attempt to be caught. With her house going up for sale, she needed to move him to a safer, fenced-in yard next door, but Buddy wasn’t about to let anyone get close enough to make that happen.

Joyce and Mike started the process on Thursday, setting a trap to get him used to it. While his two bigger “brothers” had no issue exploring the trap, Buddy wasn’t falling for it. Even when we tried tempting him with the gourmet spread—kibble, wet dog food, chicken, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese—he sniffed it out and kept his distance.

By Friday night, Rhonda, Beth, and I were on the case, conditioning Buddy to go in. We thought for sure we’d have him within minutes. Spoiler alert: we were so wrong. 😩

This little guy wasn’t just cautious—he was a full-blown escape artist. Every move we made, Buddy countered with one of his own. For hours, we strategized, adjusted, and worked tirelessly. He would only approach the trap if his two favorite people were nearby, and even then, it was on his terms. After three hours of trying every scenario we could think of, Buddy once again outsmarted us.

Defeated but not giving up, we decided to regroup and try again Sunday. With Teresa and Sandy—two sisters determined to give Buddy the better life he deserved—we headed back to the yard with high hopes. Surely, this would be the day.

By now, we’d tried everything we could think of, but Buddy remained elusive. As the sun began to set, we reluctantly packed up and started heading home. Then, just five minutes later, it happened—Buddy walked all the way into the trap! But here’s the twist: it wasn’t the food, the professionals, or any of our plans that did it. Nope, it was the husband of one of the sisters walking his dog near the trap! The same dog that Buddy barked at daily somehow coaxed him in.

We couldn’t believe it. After all the strategizing, Little Buddy finally decided to give in on his own terms.

No more dodging the lady whose yard you’ve called home, Little Buddy. She’s waited three long years to finally put her hands on you, and now you’re safe, loved, and ready for a better life. Your secret’s safe with us—you’re one smart little booger! 😉🐾