Buddy Jeanne Shapiro

Meet Buddy Jeanne Shapiro, a best friend in Golden Retriever clothing, named for Air Bud in the Disney movies and for owner Lily Shapiro’s middle name, Jeanne.

Known in the local music scene as DJLJ for her dangerously delicious DJ beats, Lily says she loves everything about her almost 7-year-old dog. “I just love him because he’s my buddy,” Lily says. “This is my first pet. Having Buddy has given me a playmate. My sister is 15 years older and lives in Chicago. I’m practically an only child.”

She also points out that Buddy is the perfect family dog.

“Buddy has become a constant companion to my dad,” Lily says. “Buddy helps him cut wood, keeps him company when he does odd jobs around the farm and has become a great hiking companion to both of us! He also keeps my mom company when my dad and I travel to work on our hobby, climbing the highest point in each state.”

Lily remembers one hiking moment in particular: “When Buddy was still a puppy,” says Lily, “my dad and I took him for a long hike in the snow. He got into some water at the beginning of our hike and his paws were freezing. My dad put him inside his backpack to get warm and defrost his little puppy paws.

“As we hiked along, my dad said, ‘I wonder how we’re going to know when Buddy has to go to the bathroom?’ And at that very moment, Buddy jumped from the back pack (and my dad is 6 feet tall), landed on his feet and took off to go relieve himself!”

Buddy isn’t quite a saint; he’s all dog — and all retriever. “He can sit and lay down, take a dog bone gently from your hand if you tell him too, and will he retrieve his toy when you throw it. He won’t bring it back and let you take it from him, though!”

Lily has some sage advice for those thinking of adding a Golden to their home. “They need to make sure that they have plenty of room for a Golden Retriever to run. And if not, make sure you are able to spend lots of time with him or her.”

Miss Lily, those are wise words, indeed!

Rock on, Buddy!

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