The two most important qualities of childhood are friendship and acceptance. For an Australian boy with dwarfism, he was able to find both of these things in his new furry-friend.
Five year old, Quaden Bayles has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia – leaving him with emotional strife as he entered his first year of school in Brisbane, Australia.
Quaden’s mother, reeling from the passing of her father, struggled to find a resolve that would help Quaden feel more secure in school, and in life.
Enter Buddy, a 9-year-old shih tzu who also has a form of dwarfism.
A veterinarian friend of his Quaden’s mother introduced the story of Buddy over dinner with the Bayles family. As soon as Quaden’s mother saw Buddy, she feared the level of responsibility and experience it took to own a dog.
Her opinion changed as soon as she saw Quaden and Buddy interact. They bonded almost immediately.
This became the best thing for Quaden. It helped him deal with the grief of losing his grandfather as well as accepting his dwarfism.
Since Buddy joined the family, Quaden has introduced him to everyone he has met. He sees how quickly they accept Buddy and understands that they will accept him as well.
He shares their dwarfism as a unique quality that can be accepted with open arms.
Buddy is the shining light to combat the darkness of Quaden’s insecure emotions. After all, he is just a slobbery ball of excitement.
Quaden and Buddy’s journey to acceptance can be followed on their Facebook Page.
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