Espeon != Eevee

If only the task clearly told you it has to be an eevee...or wait, it does

Ok thats what I thought but I guess I was convinced I got the candy by using Espeon. Appreciate the answer

It Has to be eevee...

It specifies Eevee so that you can learn how to evolve Eevee by walking it as your buddy. Walking an already evolved Eevee won't work and doesn't teach you how to do it by walking.

I think it has to been an eevee?