12/04/2025
Here is a compilation of all the Buddy Chats!
Q: When is your birthday?
A: I can’t tell my mom when my birthday is. The vet doctors were told I was between 1 and 2 years old when everything happened, so they gave me a birthday in the fall. We celebrate on October 1st!
Q: Buddy, can you see?
A: Yes! I can see real well. So well that I can find a squirrel in a tree a mile away! Seriously, though, I was able to close my eyes tight and the heat only caused some mild swelling on my corneas (the clear dome at the front of your eye). Everyone said it was a miracle that my eyes and my sight were not damaged.
Q: Hi Buddy! How is your skin doing? Will you need more grafts? Will your hair grow back?
A: My skin has healed from the burns. Most of it even has pigment! You can see two areas, one above my left eye and one on the top of my muzzle, that get easily scraped when I rub them. These are where some of the deepest burns were. My mom has been talking to the graft company about adding another layer of graft in these areas to try to make them stronger. We don't know if it would work, but it wouldn't hurt. This is something she can do when I'm asleep to get my teeth cleaned. Some of my hair grew back around the edges. My whiskers came back, and my eyelashes did, too! (My doctors didn't think my eyelashes would grow back). But the rest of the burns were too deep and damaged the hair follicles, so the hair on the rest of my face won't ever grow back. I still think I look okay, though.
Q: Hi Buddy! Do you like car rides? What’s your favorite trip?
A: I Looooove car rides. I’ll ride in the car anywhere! At first I didn’t know how to ride nicely in cars, but we go on so many trips, that I learned real quick. Now I’m a pro! For long trips, I just sleep in the back seat. My most favorite place to go to is downtown and to the market on Saturdays. I love seeing all my friends!
Q: Buddy, do you have eyelids? Can you close your eyes?
A: Yes! And, partly. I got to keep my eyelids but the skin on them was badly burned, especially on my left eyelids. They changed a lot during my treatment. First they were so swollen that no one could tell if my eyes survived the fire. Then the swelling went down. After that they started to wrinkle up, so my eye doctors put stents on them to keep them flat and lined up. They changed as the skin around them changed and healed. In the end, they ended up rolled out a little and stretched to the side. They have improved as the healing skin relaxed over the yesrs. I can close my eyelids about halfway. But they don’t dry out, because my third eyelid covers the rest when I sleep. I’m doing okay!
Q: Buddy, what’s your favorite treat? (On Buddy’s Birthday)
A: Today, my favorite treat is BIRTHDAY CAKE!! 🎂 Thank you to everyone for all of your well wishes! I’ll be sharing more of my day soon!
Q: Buddy, are you on a special diet because of your burns?
A: Good question. I’m not anymore since my face is healed, but I was when my burns were being treated. Burns leak a lot of fluid and protein, so my proteins were low. My body also had to work extra hard to heal my burns. I always had a good appetite, but I kept losing weight no matter how much I ate because all that energy went into healing the burns. I was on a high calorie, high protein diet to support my healing. Everything started to settle down and return to normal after my medical team applied the first graft layer to my face.
Q: Hi Buddy! Do you have to put anything on your skin to keep it from getting tight or sore?
A: My mom puts baby lotion on my face to keep my skin from getting dry, especially in the winter. I need sunscreen, too, if I’m going to be out in the sun for a long time, because my face will burn. I love having my face rubbed, it feels good. My mom takes good care of my skin so I can be as comfortable as possible.
Q: Buddy, do you still feel any discomfort from your injuries?
A: No! I don’t seem to have any residual pain. I don’t mind having my face touched, and I run and play like any other dog. Sometimes my skin gets a bit itchy and I rub it. I really love when my mom rubs lotion onto my face.
Q:; Hi Buddy! Exactly what kind of lotion does your mom put on your face?
A: My mom says that there wasn’t anything to guide her decision. She chose baby lotion so it wouldn’t be irritating if anything got into my eyes. The brand she picked was CaraVe.
Q: What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving, Buddy?
A: I have so much to be thankful for. But I am most thankful for everybody who has made this life possible. I would not be here if it wasn’t for everyone, near and far, who stepped in to help me when I needed it! I love all of you!
Q: Hi Buddy! Can you close your eyes to sleep?
A: Not completely. My eyelids are rolled out and stretched a bit, and so I can almost close them but not all the way. Not to fear, though. My third eyelids are protecting my eyes when I sleep so they don’t dry out.
