Buddy

July 12, 1998 to November 14, 2007
Author: PETBuzz Magazine

It’s no secret that I have challenged my faith in recent years. But on the evening of November 14th, 2007 my faith was challenged yet again.

It all began on a warm, sunny September morning in 1998 at General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Arriving on a cart, I was presented with a big bundle of puppy that would later be named Buddy. A gift for my son, Cody, Buddy eventually brought joy and warmed the hearts of everyone that encountered him. I have had pets before, but never have I had such a bond with a creature who would bare the purity of his soul when you looked into his eyes.

As a puppy he lumbered about, growing by leaps and bounds, giving us a reason to laugh each and every day. He surrounded us with joy and made our house a real home. Buddy was the light of my son’s life as he was growing up. Cody was so proud of his dog and his dog was so attached to him. Many nights I would catch the two of them sound asleep in Cody’s bed. There was barely enough room for Cody, but he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Buddy was beautiful in every sense of the word. He not only possessed physical beauty, but he had pure heart and soul that was filled with nothing but love for our family and friends. Only a dog like that would naturally, and ever so gently, bow his head to the smallest child that would approach him; always being careful not to cause harm. He just wanted to be hugged by anyone that would take the time. He was happy and that made everyone around him smile. It was inevitable.

He enjoyed his guy time too. Whenever Bill was in the garage getting ready to go fishing or returning home, Buddy would hang out with him and nap in shade. He was an active member of the team in my son’s backyard football games. Some poor little boy would always get tackled so Buddy could get the ball! That dog loved every minute of it. So did the kids, even when Buddy would accidentally pop the football!

Christmas was a special time for Buddy. He would patiently sit in the kitchen, while I baked his special cookies. Eventually, when Murphy, the tabby cat, joined the family, the two of them would wait for the slightest crumb to fall to the floor. It was always a race that poor Murphy seldom won! But when it came time for cookies, Buddy never stole treats from his little pal.

Buddy loved Christmas morning. Grandma and my sisters would come over and we would watch Cody open his presents. Buddy always wore his jingle bell collar and seemed to know when that special morning was upon us. You could see his eyes light up when people came to visit. Buddy was filled with so much joy and he always wanted to share it with others. To me, he will always be my Christmas Angel.

As the many seasons passed, I began to realize that my time with my treasured friend was growing short. Despite the shortened life span of large dogs, Buddy’s veterinarian could not believe how wonderful he looked despite his aging. We always attributed his health to good food and lots of love and care. But as I write this memorial, I think that Buddy was sent to me as a special gift.

All of us face challenges in our lives whether they are physical, emotional, or both. Not all of us are lucky enough to have the support that is needed to see us through. I don’t know why, or how, but Buddy got me through some terrible times. From laying his head on my lap and looking into my eyes, to knowing when I needed him near. He was always there when I needed him during times I felt little motivation to go on. During times of recovery, he would even reduce the number of times he would ask to go outside, knowing it was hard for me to get up and move about.

Buddy wanted to be with me all the time. Working from home this last year has brought us closer than ever, if that was even possible. Buddy would go with me from room to room; he would accompany me to get coffee and then back to the office. We were a team. Buddy was the inspiration for my business, Big Dogz Promotions. I wanted him to be an inspiration to others so we had his likeness designed into our company logo. Perhaps it was just another way for me to take him with me where ever I went.
This last year my beloved Buddy had slowed his pace considerably. He slept much more. His movements become labored and he showed signs of aches and pains. When I looked into his tired, sleepy eyes I knew our days together were growing shorter. But I couldn’t imagine a day without him. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t thank him for being a part of my life.

Wednesday night, November 14th, God called my faithful friend home to Heaven. I had to look hard to find my faith in God as we chose to end Buddy’s severe pain and suffering due to an emergency illness that was going to take his life in a most painful way. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I thought that I would know what to say to him, but all I could do was thank him for his companionship, his love for me and our family, that his job here was done and that he needed to go some place where he would be free from pain. He deserved that.

Many times in my life I have challenged my faith. It took Buddy’s passing for me to know that I have been blessed far beyond what I deserve. I don’t know how or why I was chosen to have Buddy in my life. But I know that there will never be another dog that will touch my soul like he did. I will be forever grateful.
God Bless you, my dear friend. I know that we will be together again.