Buddy and Other Neighborly Matters

Being neighborly is really important. In a world in which folks can often feel disconnected from those that live nearby, it really pays off. So keeping in the spirit, I must acknowledge that we are blessed to have Jerry and Donna living right across the street. These two delightful people can entertain us for hours with their fabulous dry sense of humor. Jerry is always accompanied by Buddy, his canine companion who has a passion for bologna sandwiches. Years ago this adorable dog was a skinny, starving and badly neglected little pooch roaming the neighborhood. Jerry and Donna kindly rescued and adopted him, restoring him to health and happiness. While the Christmas holiday is winding down, I thought it newsworthy to share a recent event that was so hilarious, my husband Marty and I are still chuckling. Pulling out of our driveway one afternoon, Marty noticed that Jerry and Donna's Santa Claus decoration had been blown over by the wind. It was lying face down at their front door. Marty, wearing an evil grin, suggested I snap a photo and email it to Jerry and Donna as our holiday card. I was going to milk this for all it was worth. I sent the photo with the subject line "Merry Christmas," and wrote, "Marty and I laughed ourselves silly when we caught this sight as we were on our way out. I thought you should know that your Santa is a lush! FOR SHAME! What are all the children in the neighborhood going to think?" We received this reply, presumably from Buddy, given the spelling: "Right back at youse guys with the Christmas greeting. BUT you're all wrong about the lusshnettedness you think your papparitzy camera caught of my dear friend Santa the Clause. He was just standing there minding his own business eating a bologna sandwich when this big white ferocious dog jumped out, grabbed his food, knocked him down and ran back into the house. Guess who's getting nutting for Christmas?" Our cats replied: "Oh dat's mean to the furrowwshious doggie. Santa might leave you coal in your stockink and breadkrumbs in yer beard." Then from Jerry: "Your spell checker must be going. What the heck is wrong with these people that want to taunt Buddy? I don't know where to start (very funny)." I shot back: "My cats sent that email to you guys when I was not looking. Sneaky kids! I told them that was not being neighborly at all. Coal in their stocking for sure!" Jerry's response: "Yeah, right. Blame the cats. Sure maybe they sent the email. But getting out the camera and taking a picture without opposable thumbs, I don't think so. You want to know what I think? I think you just want to charge me for an unauthorized, unrequested and unneeded cat-scan. I know you seen that one coming!" My final email back read: "Oh Jerry, how could you even hint that I was being at all dishonest or trying to shift the blame. Our cats, who are incredibly intelligent, have secretly installed a voice activated shutter to snap photos, so no thumbs necessary. They just were doing what they thought prudent, especially because they hold your adorable doggie, Buddy, in such high esteem. In fact they want his photo so they can "cat-scan" it, whenever they wish." With the speed of light, Jerry obliged, sending us a truly delightful photo. Isn't it fantastic to have neighbors with such good humor? What do you think? Share with a comment.