Just like the men in black from UFO LORE, Fred is often seen but never heard as he looks on, keenly observing his surroundings. He does not wear a suit or a G-man fedora, and he never moves from his perch, but when you need him, he's there. More importantly, he is always where you expect him to be; not even humans are that dependable.
On the surface, Fred isn't much to look at; I suppose most humans would give him a glance and quickly move on with their business. They probably don't even realize he has welcomed them into our lovely abode in his own unique way. As with anyone in the world, there's layers to Fred, and he is certainly no one-trick beagle.
Beyond that cool, solid exterior made up of resin is a caring, gentle, and energetic soul who exudes confidence all day every day. It's that kind of energy that attracts the bups to him as well, besides the fact that he's their size, too. From the very first moment Fred became a member of the family, the Bups were smitten with him.
For Snacky, it's different; her late uncle, a flesh-and-blood beagle named Zakk, was her best friend and most trusted confidante. Zakk was the only dog I ever met who didn't try to eat Snacky or tear her apart; instead, he always protected her from dangers, especially other dogs. As the saying goes, they were thick as thieves, and it was amazing the bond they formed between each other.
I think that whenever Snacky looks at Fred, she recognizes that he's a dog, and more importantly, that he resembles a beagle, and that's why she feels as drawn to him as she does. The other bups didn't know Zakk like Snacky did; they had never even met him, so it makes sense that Snacky is accepting of Fred as he is.
Not surprising to anyone involved, Fred fits in quite nicely as an honorary bup in the clan. He occasionally tags along for adventures, so don't be surprised if you see him in the future making an appearance here or there. I often ponder what it must be like for him to exist in this house where he's treated like a member of the family instead of just a statue. It must have been agonizing before he found us, getting passed around and transported on boxes.
Fortunately for Fred, as long as I live, he will never have to be just a forgotten piece of decorative adornment; he's part of something absolutely special and unique, and unlike the humans before me, he will never be treated as just something to abuse or entertain potential guests. The bups and Fred may not be flesh and blood, but that does not mean that they are any less important than those who are.
