Did a dog steal the thunder from the 30 longhorns during the Western Heritage kick-off parade for the Stock Show and Rodeo in downtown San Antonio this weekend?
A dog named “Sgt. Buddy” may have done just that.
The Fort Hood Horse Cavalry Detachment’s mascot, an Australian-Blue Heeler mix, sat proudly front and center on the unit’s wagon as the parade began at the Milam Park area, near the Santa Rosa Hospital, and meandered along the old western trail that has been crossed by legends such as Davy Crockett, John Wayne, and Roy Rogers.
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Buddy howled to cheers along the route.
Patrons from Luke on the Riverwalk, Acenar restaurant at Hotel Valencia, Houston Street Bistro,Sip, Starbucks, Gunter Hotel, Pink Giraffe Gifts, Walgreens, Bohanan's Steaks, The Palm, Walgreens, Toscano Italian Restaurant, Market Delivery and Hip Dingo celebrated along the way.
The Cavalry Detachment’s mascot since 2004, Sgt. Buddy drew the loudest applauds as he bigheartedly wailed back to the crowd.
Although the parade goers loved the herd of steer, horses, and mules that marched toward the Alamo, it was Sgt. Buddy who captured the hearts of San Antonio.
In 2004, Buddy was hit by a vehicle on a highway in Central Texas where he was found near death by a trooper. Sgt. 1st Class Filberto Fernandez took Buddy to a veterinarian for treatment of his injuries.
Buddy was nurtured to health, and when the trooper retired from the Army, the dog was offered as a mascot to the Horse Cavalry Detachment.
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