There are muddy buddies, and Nutty Buddies, and, in a feat of carbohydrate genius, Chip Butties.
There are teddy bears, teddy grahams, and Teddy Ruxpin, who incidentally was the most terrifying toy of the 1980s after My Buddy.
But there is only one Teddy-buddy, and we’ve got him at Tabby’s Place.
We’ve got him,* and I’m pleased to inform you that he’s got you.
Although Teddy is old enough for a bike without training wheels, he still has the eyes of a toddler. The world is fresh-cut, full of surprising things. Nothing is quite so bewildering as the largeness of love.
Teddy has been loved for all ten of his years. He has only ever seen his reflection in smiling eyes. He has only heard his name spoken sweetly, like a cookie on the tongue.
He has had a life beyond wonderful.
Then grief came, that great crumbling that asks no permission.
Teddy assumed he had used up his lifetime supply of wonderful. But wonderful was just warming up.
Tabby’s Place will never replace the person Teddy loved and lost. But love has many rooms. Memory lives next door to today. The faces that smiled on toddler Teddy still gleam in his eyes. Our voices add new verses to the one melody.
And our voices all keep finding the same lyric. More accurately, it finds us first: “Teddy-buddy.”
You will say it, too.
Test me on this.
Tiptoe into Suite D, where Teddy beholds the wonders. If you use the proper noun, “The Wonders” is the name of Shaggy, Juel, and Magda‘s jug band, but we are talking about the common noun.
That is precisely the point. Teddy is getting used to the fact that the wonders are more common than he feared.
The wonders are new smiles with the same gladness, giddy just because Teddy is here. The wonders are the breakfasts and dinners that someone mushed with a little fork, for a little brown tabby, because he matters.
The wonders are sunbeams giggling down the skylight, racing each other to reach Teddy first, because they heard all about him from last night’s stars.
The wonders are catnip mice, dryer-warm fleece, and all these friends who are already Teddy’s friends, just because he is Teddy.
The wonders are doing a number on Teddy’s fear.
But fear and wonder can’t occupy the same space, and only one will call you “buddy.”
“Teddy-buddy.” You and Teddy will hear it come out of your mouth at the same time, and you will both be surprised. You may have known each other for just three instants, but the name knows what you are about to find out.
“Teddy-buddy!” You say it with conviction now, and Teddy’s eyes widen. This cat is your friend, long before he could do anything to “earn” it. You are this cat’s friend, because love is too large to be earned.
“Teddy-buddy.” Your words land as soft as a little bear cookie in a child’s hand.
Love is crumbling walls. You are startled by your own hunger to make Teddy feel safe. He is dazzled by his face in your eyes.
“Teddy-buddy.” There is only one, and he’s got you.
Love is large enough for a lifetime and then some. Will wonders never cease?
*Update: Wonders will, in fact, never cease. Our Teddy-buddy has found his forever buddies, and he now does his marveling from his forever home. Thank you for helping to make this possible, Tabby’s Place family!