Jane Grigg of Lawndale sent a letter recently about a dog named Buck. She and others in the Lawndale community are truly amazed by Buck’s intuition.Buck is a Malamute — some call the breed a “gentle giant.” Because the dogs love interacting with people, they are not recommended for guard dogs.This friendly, loving animal comforted a lost man and gave Lib Downs a chance to say goodbye to her husband, Herman.
Herman, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, wandered away from home on a brutally cold night wearing only his pajamas. He managed to walk about a ½ mile from his home to First National Bank in Lawndale. Herman, too tired to continue, sat down at the bank.
That’s where “faith or luck or whatever you want to call it stepped in,” wrote Ms. Grigg, who is a friend of the family.
Buck lives near the First National with his owner, Doris Davis. When Buck spotted Herman, he came to him and apparently stayed with him the rest of the night. The cleaning crew found the pair huddled together the next morning.
“If not for Buck staying right by Herman’s side, he would have frozen that night,” Ms. Grigg said.Although Herman died a week later, the rescue gave him a chance to be in a hospital surrounded by his family and his wife of 62 years.
“Life goes on for the rest of us and we miss Herman, but knowing he is with our Lord makes it a little easier,” Ms. Grigg said. “Herman was the oldest member in our church, Lawndale Baptist.”Ms. Davis, the dog’s owner, said that her Buck is the neighborhood pet.
“The folks at the Senior Center love him,” she said. “I’ve had Buck six years.” The dog showed up at her son’s house and she was reluctant to take him, because she lives near the walking track. She didn’t want a dog bothering the walkers. But Malamutes don’t bark much; the noise they make is described as “talking.” And because Buck is friendly, the walkers give him treats.
“I gave a picture of him to Lib and they had it at the funeral,” Ms. Davis said. “We gave Buck some extra hamburger and a hug and told him he was a hero.”
