The Family and the Secret
Buddy fit into the Anderson home quickly—Rosie trusted him like air itself, and even anxious Sam found comfort when Buddy curled beside his bed during storms.
But Buddy was more than a stray. He reacted when Rick fell, when Rosie wheezed, even before anyone noticed. He seemed trained.
Then one afternoon, Sam found an old newspaper clipping:
LOST: SHADOW — Therapy dog. Brown/black shepherd mix. Scar on ear, blind in one eye. Missing since April.
The description was exact. Buddy wasn’t just theirs—he was someone else’s.
Sam hid the clipping, torn between fear and guilt. Until one day, Buddy bolted to comfort an injured boy on the street. Watching him, Sam knew the truth couldn’t be buried.
That night, he carried the clipping to his parents. “I didn’t want to lose him… I’m sorry.”
Carolyn hugged him. “You were scared. But telling us now is brave.”
Rick whispered, “So his real name is Shadow.”
They agreed to call the number.
The Choice
Two days later, Margaret Caldwell arrived. The moment she saw him, she dropped to her knees.
“Shadow,” she cried, burying her face in his fur. He wagged his tail like he’d never forgotten.
She explained he was trained for her late husband’s seizures, then lost during a storm. “I thought he was gone forever.”
Tears filled Carolyn’s eyes. “He saved Rosie’s life. Twice.”
Margaret looked at him resting with Rosie. “He loves you. He’s found his place.”
She fastened his old green collar, then left Rosie’s bandana tied over it. “Two names, two families. Both part of him.”
That night, Buddy did his usual patrol around the house. Sam watched from the window and whispered into the dark:
“Shadow. Buddy. You’re both. And you’re home now.”
