Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Good-Bye to Our Boy Buddy


~The day we met Buddy, November 9, 2014~
Today, I woke up with a heaviness in my heart because it was a day that came much too quickly.  It was the day to say good-bye (for now) to Buddy.  Even knowing the reality of the situation, I wasn't fully prepared to accept it.  This was because I'd hoped that Buddy would get better.  But it was not meant to be. It has been a heart-wrenching week watching Buddy not get any better, as we continued to hold onto that thread of hope that the medications and the fluids we were giving him, would somehow work and that his appetite would maybe return.  But it never did.
Buddy didn't seem to be in any pain, just uncomfortable.  There were moments when I'd see a glimpse of the dog we knew, and he would bark, wag his tail, and walk in happy-circles.  Sadly those moments passed too quickly, and the last couple of days, all I saw was a dog that was not feeling well and slipping away.  I knew that letting him go would be the kind thing to do.
As I drove to the vet this morning, I listened to music on my iPod and from Les Miserables, "I Dreamed a Dream," played.  The line from it that says  "there are dreams that cannot be, and storms we cannot weather" are truly the perfect words for Buddy.  I had a dream for him that he would find the perfect forever home and have a family all to himself. But it was a dream that was not to be.  And the cancer, or the storm, was something that sadly he could not weather.
Tonight, even though the other dogs are here, it seems quieter.  I will miss seeing him roll in the yard and always following me into the kitchen, watching me with those hopeful eyes that just knew there was going to be a nibble of something for him and playfully woo-wooing at me and wagging his tail if I was considering not giving him something.
In the children's story book, "Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant,  she writes; "that in Dog Heaven, there are Biscuits and biscuits, as far as the eye can see.  ...There are kitty-cat biscuits and squirrel biscuits, Ice-cream biscuits and ham-sandwich biscuits."   Buddy was a dog that loved and lived to eat. Not being able to eat anything this past week I know had to be hard for him, I could see that at times he really wanted too.  More than anything, I hope that as he arrives at the Rainbow Bridge, free from what kept him from enjoying his meals, he's enjoying those biscuits.  I hope he will not forget us.  I hope that one day we'll see him again.
God speed "my handsome Air-Bud"... as you are met at the Rainbow Bridge by all those who have gone before you, know that  like them, you will be missed and the story of your year with us will not be forgotten.  We will always be grateful that we got to know you Buddy, and had you as part of our lives.   


48 comments:

  1. Im so sorry about Buddy. As hard as it is...you always do what is best for your dogs. Our thoughts are with you!!

    Diana and Oreo

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  2. *Hugs* to you and yours. What a lovely tribute to your Buddy.

    I too hope he is enjoying those biscuits, hanging out with all those we have loved who wait for us there at Rainbow Bridge. :)

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  3. You constantly amaze and awe and inspire me with the courage of your loving, giving heart. The world is a much better place because you are in it. I'm so sorry for the loss of Buddy, and so grateful that the last year of his life was in a home filled with safety and love and appreciation for the creature that he was. Much love to you, Kim.

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  4. What a sweet boy. It breaks my heart, and I can't imagine how bad it must be for you. As always, bless you.

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  5. Bye, Buddy. We don't know what to say other than we've been through it. We lost Kyla a week before last Christmas and there hasn't been a day since that we haven't teared up for her. I mean that literally-we do look to the sky, wave and cry every day. We miss that girl. Buddy, we never met you in the fur but from the descriptions-we'd miss you also.

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  6. Buddy, you have been given so much love and care, and now the gap you have left is huge. Kim, be sure he will always be in your heart, the last goodbye is so hard, but he is where the biscuits are in all flavours, and he would be met with joyous "hello" from the others.

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  7. We sort knew it was in the cards.....but it's still a shock. We hope he's enjoying lots of biscuits, too.

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  8. Oh dear Kim....my heart goes out to you once more today...for all of your love for Buddy...he knew how much you loved him and he will be met by all those who have gone before him. My Zippo will be there to meet him. I still tear up every single time I read about another of our furry family members. Hugs to you tonight.

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  9. Time for Buddy to set off on new adventures surrounded by love . As you say 'goodbye - for now'.

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  10. So sorry for you sad news, sending you warm hugs and luffs
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  11. I'm very sorry for the loss of beautiful Buddy. He was a sweet boy who so loved his family at Golden Pines while he was there. I'm sure Buddy can still feel the love and dear feelings you have for him Kim. Love can reach even the highest places we cannot see.

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  12. So sorry to hear about the loss of such a beautiful boy.

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  13. Kim - so very sorry to read about Buddy - run free sweet pup...

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  14. So sorry to hear this never gets easier does it? it was the right and humane thing to do for him as he is now a free spirit frolicking in the fields of dogie heaven , the angel we all knew he was when he was here . Yes missed but never forgotten !

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  15. Really sad . . .
    Wise decision as difficult as it must have been . . .
    You were the best home for Buddy . . .
    There is no doubt . . .

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  16. Saying goodbye is just never easy. But take comfort in knowing that you gave Buddy a wonderful loving home during the last months of his life as well as a final gift of peace. Run young and free again at the Bridge, Buddy.

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  17. HI Kim, I know you gave Buddy a wonderful home for the time he was there. Saying goodbye to our dear pets(family members) is so hard, I still miss my Goldie Girl. Rip Buddy, I hope you are now enjoying lots of biscuits.

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  18. How lucky Buddy was to have you and how lucky you were to have Buddy for this last beautiful year of his life.

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  19. We were thinking lots about you last night Kim, and how God must have put you right here in this place that you are, to do everything you do. I know you were blessed for having sweet buddy in your life, but he in turn was blessed also....we loved the biscuits story........we are so sorry......stella rose an momma

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  20. Buddy was lucky he found you. Goodbye sweet boy.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  21. once again...
    writing this through literal sobs.
    how buddy touched my heart.
    but even more lately. perhaps because he had what my zeke had.
    and that decline i knew only too well. and yet... that tail still wagged.
    oh buddy.
    he had almost a full year of glorious LOVE and care and companionship.
    not only with you my darling girl. but with others of his own kind.
    to roll in the grass ... to mouth a favorite ball... to touch noses with todd.
    that's what we'll remember.
    all my love and admiration.
    as always.
    XOXO♥

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  22. I know where you are, I've been there recently. I watched Morgan so closely, willing the meds to work. I so wanted more time with her. But it wasn't to be and I had to be a grownup and do what was right for her. My thoughts are with you.

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  23. So very sorry Kim, it doesn't get any easier. You gave Buddy so much love in his last few months.
    Farewell sweet Buddy.

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  24. I'm so sorry to hear about Buddy's trip to the Rainbow Bridge. He sure had a great time during his last year with you. He was lucky to have landed at Golden Pines.

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  25. Sad news. Sweet dreams, gorgeous Buddy. Hugs to you, Kim.

    xxxx

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  26. I will remember the last picture of Buddy. What a wonderful smile!
    I can't say anything else for now.
    Gus' Mom Hugs to you.

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  27. Our fur babies teach us so much...how to love unconditionally, to live in the moment, to be grateful for the little things. It's so very hard to let go, but we know from the beginning that eventually that's exactly what we will have to do. It just is so damn hard.

    If there's one consolation, it's that for certain if there's a heaven Buddy is there. There is no such thing as a bad dog, of that I know without a doubt. Buddy is at peace, and you have wonderful memories and every reason to be proud of the love and kindness you gave him.

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  28. I have been trying to comment for the past 10 minutes but the tears are just running down my cheeks and I have not had the strength to. I am so sorry to hear about Buddy, but I hope you know in your heart that you gave him the best year you could. I was just talking today to a friend of mine about my Roscoe and how I could not handle him gone. She herself said she would not even know how I would be able to either, because of how close I am with him. We are together day in and day out. I am only gone when I do groceries or maybe I go to a store, but never alone more than 2 hours.
    Thank you for sharing the goods and the bads with us followers.
    Ana

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  29. Tears spilling out my eyes as I read this, RIP Buddy, run free to Rainbow Bridge and enjoy all the biscuits you can.Hugs Francine.

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  30. You will - you will absolutely see Buddy once again. And he will wag his tail and say woo-woo. You will have biscuits for him and he will be thrilled beyond words (or barks) as you give them to him. Thank you for taking care of him.

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  31. I feel your sorrow. What a sweet soul he was. Bless you for the loving home you gave him in his needy years.

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  32. What a lovely tribute to your Buddy. I know there are acres and acres of biscuits just waiting for him. Thank you for giving him the best year ever.

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  33. I'm so sorry Kim. What a beautiful post.

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  34. In some ways, Kim, you gave him your dream for him. He had a loving family (yours) taking great care of him and loving him for the past year. I'm so glad that Buddy knew that kind of love in his lifetime. I hope that he's eating all sorts of biscuits up on the Bridge, and waiting for the day he can be reunited with all who he loved.

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  35. Dearest Kim
    Words are so hard to find right now. To know your heart has once again been broken, makes us sad. Your heart is always in the right place.. Your heart keeps on giving,, and you want to help, and give furrys a chance to feel loved,, and to feel like they have a home, Yes, you dream the dreams of what you want for them,, but no body can see the whole picture from beginning #2 of when life at Golden Pines begins,, and when it ends.. No one can see the sadness that will again rip at your heart when you have to say goodbye. But your unselfish,, and your love is endless,, and you always think of "them",,, And you did make a difference in Buddys life... He felt home, he felt love and belonging.
    Its hurts to know your broken once again,,, but you thought of Buddy. and let him go,,, and last night,, I think we saw a dog biscuit float down from the sky,,,, because I looked at the moon, and there were all these furrys running fast,, and in the lead was Buddy.. and he had a big box of dog biscuits... ! There they ran around the sea of tranquility.
    Yes Kim,, yes,, Buddy is okay.. And you made a diffference
    love
    tweedles

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  36. Dear sweet Kim, how very brave and kind you are. I know that Buddy didn't care about getting a home of his own, he had you and Carl and all his dog friends right there with you. I think about you often and for several days now, Hamlet has been on my mind. I really fell for him. He will greet Buddy at the bridge and show him where all the biscuits are.

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  37. Dear Kim, I've never commented before, but I have to say I feel for you. You know you've done the kind thing for Buddy, but it doesn't make it any easier. Hugs for you.

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  38. Thank you once again for all that you have done for these very sweet animals. You are very strong and have the heart of a giant.

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  39. Thank you for caring for Buddy for the last year. I know he had a loving last year, sometimes that is all we can do.

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  40. We feared this time was approaching. And we knew you would have the gracious courage to give Buddy his freedom from discomfort.

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  41. Were here sitting with you,,, reaching out- hugging you
    love
    tweedles

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  42. As Gracie grows older and I notice her health decline a little... I find it difficult to look at the big picture... and the day that I will likely have to say goodbye to my girl. I then brush the feelings of sadness away and go on to enjoy our life together. You are an angel, Kim. You have been gifted with such a beautiful heart for caring for animals and I have to say, I am in awe. I could never do it. I would lack patience, hope and strength. This is truly your gift but even more than that.. you are their gift. (((HUG))) Gracie sends doggie licks.

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  43. Just came over from Johns blog. I saw he mentioned a hard time and hope it wasn't about a sweet gud dug but it was.
    I am so sorry about your beautiful boy, Buddy.
    Our Watson a Brindled Scotty( his daddy looked like your beautiful Scotty)
    died at home at 17. His 18 birthday is comming up. Even though he had dementia, being deaf he was very healthy till he "got" a fast moving cancer that blew up so fast and with in a month we had to call the vet.
    We are lucky here because we have a vet who will come to your home.
    It has been two months (almost three) and I am still in tears.
    I hope you are OK and I am sending you a hug and a wurf from thehamish.

    cheers, parsnip

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  44. What a wonderful tribute to Buddy. So many have made such a happy passage through GP, whether too short or your long timers, you always have something so unique to say about each of them. Yes, individual dogs of the same breed sometimes look alike, but we all know, they are soooooo different, each and every one. It never get easier, but the rewards are always sooooo worth it. I keep telling myself that. (it really is true).

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  45. What a lovely post about your boy Buddy, rest in peace old fella xxx

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  46. Oh Kim, I'm so sorry for the loss of Buddy. I, too, was hoping he would get better and stay with you for a while longer. I'm also sorry I didn't see this post sooner, we have been so busy these past two weeks that I've hardly had any time to be in front of my computer.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!