Buddy

In the 1930s, Trudy welcomes two new chimpanzees, Joe and Maggie, to her grand estate. The animals draw big stares from visitors and staff, while Trudy lavishes them with attention and affection. The scene establishes her unapologetic love for animals and her larger-than-life approach to pet care.

Dr. Bill Lindz calls to arrange that Dick take charge of the animals for the evening while Trudy is away. She agrees and drives off to Philadelphia, setting the stage for the next development. The phone call reveals the balance between indulgence for animals and practical family responsibilities.

Trudy drives to Philadelphia after the call to bring home a sickly baby gorilla named Buddy. She insists on treating the infant as part of the family, believing she can raise him as her own son. The trip marks a turning point from domestic pets to a growing primate family.

In Philadelphia, Buddy is found to have severe pneumonia. Bill assesses the illness as serious and prescribes care, while Trudy dedicates herself to nursing him through bottle-feeding and constant attention. The fragile infant’s condition deepens Trudy’s commitment to him.

The chimpanzees create mischief in the mansion, especially in the kitchen, as their curiosity runs wild. Trudy quiets them by using a rattling device, which scares them into obedience. The moment underscores the contrast between her loving control of animals and the challenges of Buddy’s care.

Unable to find reliable information about gorillas locally, Trudy travels to see Professor Spatz, who concedes limited knowledge after his Congo experiences. She returns home determined to raise Buddy the same way she raises her chimps, convinced that love and imitation will shape him. The encounter strengthens her resolve to treat Buddy as a son rather than a pet.

After Spatz’s visit, Trudy doubles down on her plan to raise Buddy as her own son rather than a pet. She believes she can replicate the care and affection she gives the chimps, and her confidence grows despite knowledge gaps. The household continues to blend human, canine, and primate family dynamics.

Buddy struggles with city life and shows a distinct dislike for baths, resisting Trudy’s attempts to bathe him and share attention. He also grows physically stronger, which makes him harder to control alongside the chimps. These challenges complicate Trudy’s dream of a harmonious, blended family.

A visiting couple convinces Trudy to bring the apes to the Chicago World's Fair, despite Bill’s warning that Buddy should stay at home. The chimpanzees prove to be a hit with crowds and photographers, boosting Trudy’s reputation as a remarkable caretaker. Maggie’s mischief soon leads to trouble when she unlocks Buddy’s cage, causing chaos and fear.

The crowds, noises, and unfamiliar surroundings overwhelm Buddy, leaving him disoriented and frightened. The fair’s atmosphere amplifies his anxiety and results in a troubling, lasting impression. He later carries these memories back into the house, shaping his hesitant behavior.

On returning home, Buddy is plagued by flashbacks of the fair, which culminate in an aggressive rampage damaging the house. The family confronts the consequences of keeping a powerful animal in a human environment. This crisis tests Trudy’s commitment to Buddy and the feasibility of their arrangement.

After the rampage, Trudy finally agrees that Buddy should live among his own kind in an ape sanctuary. The move aims to protect him and restore balance in the household, giving Buddy a safer environment and a chance to thrive with his peers. The sanctuary represents a resolution to the story’s central conflict.