Buddy's Diary - January 20 - Dog Rescue Stories in English

Easy English Reading Practice for Beginners and Intermediate English Learners

That first day when they washed me, both looked between my legs. “Boy,” Girl said, nodding knowingly at the sight of the round lump between my legs. Ms. Green opened her mouth, gave her a peculiar look, then shut it again and said nothing.

“I’ll call him Buddy,” Girl said. “It means friend in English.”

I’m a quick learner, especially since I had to survive and gain her love fast. So within two days, I knew most of the important words: “No,” “Yes,” “Food,” “Bed,” “Good,” “Bad,” “Pee-pee,” and my name, “Buddy.”

It’s pretty easy to learn Human language, you know. All you’ve got to do is watch their expressions, their actions, and listen for common repeating words. No idea why they say English is a difficult language. Anyway, both were impressed. Girl said, “Wow, she’s a fast learner!” Ms. Green opened big eyes and cooed as well.

All was well. “Buddy! Food!” WHAM—I’d zoom like a storm through the apartment to gobble. You can’t be a slow learner or you starve.

“Buddy, come!” Food? Cuddles? A walk? I’m here. Ready for anything.

“No, Buddy!” Okay, got it. Backing off. Don’t want to annoy you. You’re the big one, the one letting me live with you and giving me food. You don’t have to say it again. I’ll remember. “DO NOT touch the curtains.” Got it. See? I’m a good one. Good doggy. Good, good, good one. Keep me, please, yes?

Well, life was simple enough. BUT. Then THEY had to complicate everything.

We were walking outside and a lady with a really cowardly, scaredy dog came along. “Hey! I’m Buddy! Let’s be friends!” I cried joyously and sprang towards him. He was old, maybe my dad’s age—a big, fluffy terrier wearing a purple sweater.

“Mommy! Help! It’s jumpy! It’s coming for me!” he wailed in a pathetic little baby voice.

Huh?! I stopped in surprise. Tail tucked between his legs, he dashed and hid behind his human’s legs. “Oh my Gawd,” she laughed and picked him up. He was trembling. In fear… of me?! What’s so scary about me?

I stand, head cocked, completely confused, watching the one I hoped to be friends with being carried away by his human. He looks fearfully over his purple knitted shoulder at me. “Please… don’t bite me,” he whimpers, trembling.

What a wimp! I’m disappointed. All I wanted was to romp and play.

Well, the next time I see him, I charge again, all excited, tail wagging so hard I could start a storm. I even flatten myself against the floor to look “less scary” and “smaller.” But no matter my pose, he is terrified of me—even though he towers over me! And my teeth are tiny.

“Is it a boy or a girl?” his human asks mine.

“Boy!” mine says proudly.

Mr. Wimpy’s human gives a perplexed little frown. “Really? He’s so delicate—the small neck and legs—like a girl.”

“Uhu. It’s a boy,” Girl says confidently. “I checked.”

But Wimpy’s human is too curious this time. She gently picks me up and takes a look. “Oh no!” she laughs, amused. “Look, it’s a girl!”

“A girl?!” Girl exclaims in surprise and confusion.

“Yes. A girl,” laughs Wimpy’s mom.

My Girl isn’t sure. She peeks at my private parts. It’s a dark little round lump. “Hmmm,” she says thoughtfully. But then it’s confirmed. The snobby Chihuahua’s human dad takes a peek a few minutes later and nods with a chuckle. “It’s a girl,” he confirms.

“Well! Now what will I call you?” Girl asks, gazing down at me.

Buddy, duh, I think, waddling happily with my tail high.

“Buddina,” Girl says.

Then both she and Mrs. Sunsmile start calling me that. Even Ms. Green calls, “Buddina!”

But do they think I’m stupid? I won’t be tricked like that. I know what my name is! I ignore them. There’s no Buddina here. If it’s a test, I’m winning all the way.

“Buddy?” Eventually, they give in. I come running, tail high.

Yay! Silly human finally remembered my name again! You have to be patient, you know; sometimes they’re not so smart. Patient, understanding, and compassionate. In the end, my patience paid off. They’re back to using my real name. My only name.

I’m glad their memories returned. Poor things.