A sweeter, gentler four legged soul never walked this earth. Buddy was man's best friend, or at least my best friend. Why he chose me to companion with I'm not sure, maybe it was that my room was the quietest and coolest, which made him the most comfortable.
He was a lucky dog, if Jeremy had not been in his little boat fishing that day, if he had not decided for some unknown reason to go just a little farther and see what was up around the bend......
There he is, a wet dog running back and forth along the river bank, then trying to run up the steep hill, but his aging legs not allowing that. There he was, stuck at the bottom of the river bank. My son, the one with a heart the size of the world when it comes to animals, he goes and tries to befriend Buddy, not sure how he is going to be received. But Buddy knew a good thing when he saw it. He allowed Jeremy to lift him up and into his little boat, and they trolled back down the river to the boat ramp.
Jeremy came running in and said I"m getting some dog food and water, I found a dog.....he had left him at the ramp just long enough to drive the three blocks home and back. Buddy was there waiting for him when he got back. He fed him and watered him and hoped someone would drive up looking for their lost dog. Time passed and no one came, dark filled the sky. So what else could he do, he brought him home.
Buddy was such a loving dog, he instantly excepted the fact that China was the boss, didn't matter to him. He loved a good head rubbing and would always nose you when you stopped. He loved his meals. He loved us.
The routine for so long had been up early, eat early, then nap time. Tommy was an early riser and meal provider for all the animals, so you could set your watch by Buddy getting up and standing at my doorway looking into the kitchen waiting for his meal. Even after Tommy left us and Jeremy took over, Buddy's habits never wavered.
The last few days of his life, he did not get up at 5 am, instead Jeremy would have to encourage him to get up an eat. He had been riddled with arthritis from the beginning, and as time passed it worsened. His last days must have been filled with so much pain, even though he was on medication, it was just too much for him. He quit wanting to get up or walk, and would only do so when he had to go outside to use the bathroom, and then it was a horrible struggle. It was so painful to watch.
The hardest decision of a pet owner is to make that final call. Why can't they just go peacefully in their sleep.
I am sure Buddy is running through fields of flowers and jumping in happiness. We could always see the glimmer of spunk he must have had as a pup, as a younger dog.
I miss him so much. We only got to love him for a little over two years. Where he grew up, who he once lived with, always remained a mystery. At least I know his last two years were good ones, happy ones.
Run free my sweet friend. Give dad a lick and China too, I will see you all someday, and I will miss you all everyday. ♥♥
RIP Buddy - 9/28/2016
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