Woof and Well: Buddy – The Small Dog With A Big Heart

February 9th 2022

Buddy – The small dog with a big heart

Buddy with his Woof & Well rosette (photo: Amber Humm)

Miniature Dachshund Buddy and his owner Amber are our Woof and Well Award runners up after entering to celebrate the powerful bond between dogs and their humans.

Buddy and Amber’s story won our hearts at Vet’s Kitchen from the dozens of entries into our Woof and Well award. The Woof & Well Award was launched in recognition of the contribution dogs have made to our health and wellbeing throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Amber Humm, 18, from Sway, Lymington, has been battling a painful knee condition since she was 8 years old and was due an operation in October last year. She was terrified but the day before, Amber’s mother surprised her daughter with a Dachshund puppy, Buddy.

Buddy quickly became Amber’s shadow, providing emotional support and a positive distraction through painful days made worse by the pandemic.

Amber says: “My op got cancelled and moved to later in the year. However, it was unsuccessful and I am unfortunately still living in pain. But no matter how rubbish I feel, Buddy gives me a reason to get out of bed. He never leaves my side and makes me laugh every day. We support each other.”

Amber and Buddy, now 18 months old, love to go for forest walks which Amber says always make her feel grateful and gives her time to relax even when struggling with pain.

“We thought it was time to give our dogs recognition for their love and loyalty.” says Laura Shears, MD of Vet’s Kitchen. “Humans and their canine companions have always made for a winning team and more than ever in recent times, we have relied on them for the emotional support we needed. Buddy is a worthy winner, showing us that even the smallest dog can make the biggest difference to a life.”

Congratulations to Buddy & Amber from the Vet’s Kitchen Team!