Tuesday, April 8, 2014

SAYING GOODBYE...








Sadly, we said goodbye to our beautiful boy, Buddy, on Friday.

His journey here on earth has ended and he is now safe and happy on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.






Buddy wore many hats during his stay with us...

He was our good and loyal friend...

Our teacher...

Our peace maker...

Our protector...

and...





...he made us smile most of the time.





When he came to us he had so many behavior issues.  He was six months old and didn't know how to walk on a leash.  He and Jerry formed a strong bond from the very first and, I am afraid, that if anyone else had been that lucky to find him, it would have been a short lived relationship. 

It was a long, and sometime seemingly impossible, task to teach him some good manners but it was so well worth the effort.





He was a large boy with a large personality and an even larger heart.





As he grew older he had some health issues.  He had breathing problems and nerve damage in his rear legs, but he never complained.

He was always willing to go for a walk or a ride and was so happy just to be with us.

Over the last month he started having problems with his left front leg and after x-rays, he was diagnosed with bone cancer.  It is one of a list of ailments that affect Golden Retrievers, and amputation of the leg would have fixed it, that is if the cancer hadn't spread to other areas.

Because of his age and because he learned how important his two front legs were to being able to lift himself to a standing position due to the nerve damage in his back legs, we opted not to pursue this route.

His leg became weaker and it was becoming harder and more painful for him to get to his feet.





It was so amazing that it snowed the week before.  Buddy shined when it snowed.  He loved the cold weather the best and he could really make some serious snow angels!





I tried to get a good picture but he was so happy to go outside he wouldn't hold still long enough.

How could these actions be those of a sick dog?  It was so hard to comprehend.





We are so grateful and blessed that we had these fast and short thirteen years with him.

We know he is running free now but can't help feeling selfish enough to still want him here with us.





Only in our hearts will he remain forever, along with the great lessons of love that he taught us.


"We give them the love we can spare
The time we can spare

In return dogs have given us
Their absolute all

It is without a doubt 
The best deal
Man has ever made"

A quote that hangs in our vet's office by: Roger Caras


  

Good job, Pooh


...Judy...




32 comments:

  1. Judy...I'm holding back tears here. My heart just aches for you. You won't believe this but I thought of Buddy just the other day and wondered how he was doing. I hadn't read anything about him for awhile and thought of his age and all. I was hoping he was doing well. He did live a wonderful life with you and your husband. He was certainly one of the lucky dogs who not only gave love but was given much in return. I know you miss him and I hope by now thoughts of him bring a smile to your face. It's the wonderful memories that will comfort you. God love him. Rest in Peace, darling Buddy. Hugs, Deb

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  2. I'm so sorry, he is pace I lost two and you never forged them they be in our heart for ever.
    he was so beautiful.
    Blessing
    Isora
    XOX

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  3. Oh, Judy, I'm so sorry! What a pretty dog he was and how wonderful y'all had him in your lives and he was so grateful to have y'all as his family! I just know our dear pets will be in Heaven and I have a few sweet dogs that will meet me as I enter. You'll be in my prayers.
    Blessings,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. Oh I'm so sorry for your loss....our "little darlings" are so very dear and important to us. You know he is waiting under the "hoop" at the big basketball court in heaven till you arrive.

    xo

    Jo

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  5. How sad...but you made his time here so happy,,,I dread the day we say goodbye to Buster he is like a kid to us! He will be there waiting at the bridge when our time has come!

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  6. Oh Judy I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet dear friend and family member. The tears were just rolling down my cheeks as I read your post. I lost my sweet dog Blizzard 6 years ago after having him for 15 years almost to the day. I still think about him and remember the love he gave me. Now our children have Buster or "The Bust" as we call him. I know the day he leaves us will be a sad one. Not only do they leave this earth but I think when they do it marks the end of an era in our own lives. My children will be grown if Buster lives as long as your Buddy did and that will definitely mark the end of their childhood for me. Buddy was a very lucky dog to live his life with such loving and caring people as you and the Captain, and I know you feel equally blessed to have the love of such a faithful and loving dog. He is whole again Judy and at the Rainbow bridge just waiting to escort you both to heaven someday.
    XXOO Barbara

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  7. Aw, Judy-I am bawling like a baby. If someone has never had a pet that they loved and lost they can't begin to comprehend the pain you feel. My heart aches for you. After we lost our last pet I just didn't think I could bear to go through the pain of losing another pet...so...at this point we don't have a pet anymore.
    How lucky you AND Buddy both were to have each other and I sure hope that some day we will see our pets on the other side of the Rainbow Ridge.
    Our SweetCheeks one day (when she was 3 or 4) said to me...You know-when you get to Heaven you can still see your pets that you have here. I asked her what she meant. She said- Well, THEY can't come into your part of Heaven but you can go visit them in their space and it is really nice there.
    I thought that was so interesting because she has never had/nor lost a pet. I think sometimes those little ones know something about Heaven that we don't.............xo Diana

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  8. So sorry about the passing of your dog,Buddy. It seems when it is close to a dog's time...they become a puppy again for a few minutes here and there. I like the story Of Nana Diana's graddaughter. That is so nice to think about. Blessings to you and your family, xoxo,Susie

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  9. It's so sad when our dogs gets sick and we have to put them to sleep. They are our best friends and really a family member. We had to put our dog to sleep some years ago, she also had cancer in her front leg. We didn't even took the chance to have her longer here. After all, it wasn't we that had the pain. Only the pain after having to put her to rest. But I Think she's thankful for that. It'll be some hard months for you now, but at least you know you did the right thing.
    Take care.
    Love Elzie

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  10. Dear Judy, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved dog, Buddy. I'm bawling my eyes out reading this post as it's the third doggie death I've heard about in the past 10 days. My two sisters-in-law both just lost their Laso Apso's due to age (14 and 13) and I knew their dogs as they've been here many times. Dogs offer such unconditional love to their humans and are such great company. Our (son's) old Marshall is 13 and I know he'll be next but he'll have some great company when he crosses the rainbow bridge. :) Buddy sure had great humans to love him and nurture him. Blessings to you. Hugs. Pam

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  11. Dear Judy,
    I am so very sorry for your loss... Buddy will remain in your hearts forever and he will be waiting for you both at the Rainbow Bridge.....
    We lost our sweet Savanna several years ago and her passing devastated us so that we chose to remain pet free because we could not go through it again.....

    Many Hugs to both of you ,
    Debbie

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  12. Such sadness - yet such happiness in memories. We lost our Miss Kitty not long ago - we feel your pain - and your joy. My favorite story about Miss Kitty was one day we had just put a chicken dinner on the table and were about to sit down to eat - we entered the dining room and there was MK - standing on a chair with her front paws on the table - a piece of chicken in her mouth. When she looked at us I swear she smirked and then jumped down with her catch. It was almost like she was saying - easiest bird I ever caught - thanks.

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  13. I know how hard it is to loose a beloved pet, they are such a part of the family and give us nothing but love. Goldens are very special dogs, so gentle, beautiful, and loving. With animals it is so hard to tell when is the right time, they depend on our love to help them through...but it is so difficult.

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  14. Oh Judy, tears are rolling down my face because of your loss. My heart feels so sad for you. Pets are such a precious gift from God and I pray that He will comfort your aching heart in the days to come.
    Take care,
    Gina

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  15. Poor Judy! I have tears in my eyes reading your post. Our pets are more than pets, they are members of our families and to lose them is so difficult. Thinking of you XXX

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  16. So sorry for your loss. I do know that pain. It will be eased though with the wonderful memories..

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  17. Oh Judy, this post has made me cry. I'm so sorry and sad for your loss! I love these pictures; Buddy looks like an absolute sweetheart. He was lucky to have had you and the Captain and you were lucky to have him. Dogs bring so much to our lives; I empathize with your loss, having so recently lost MacDuff. My thoughts will be with you. I know you both will miss Buddy, but how blessed you were to have had him.

    Thinking of you, my friend.

    Warm hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  18. Oh so beautiful! So sorry! I know how sad you must be. My baby girls dog got sick while I was there this weekend. It was just a virus but he was only pooping blood. I thought to myself if this baby dies we are going to be all to pieces. I know how much a part of the family our canine humans are. Bless you, my friends Hugs to You!

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  19. Sorry to hear about Buddy's passing ,it is hard but I know Buddy had a good life with you. Buddy left you with lots of nice memories.

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  20. Dearest Judy,
    I am crying reading your post. I am so so sorry for you and Jerry .. Its so sad to loose our good faithful friends.
    They never complain.. are always close . They love without asking for it back..
    My heart is with you.
    You know that I lost my dear beloved lady just before christmas.. its heartbreaking.
    You have some lovely photos of him.. he will always be in your hearts..
    god bless Judy. Buddy is up there playing with lady and pals.
    your friend val xxxx

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  21. oh Judy, so sorry for the loss of your special friend. He looks so lovable. You have some great photos here to remember him by.

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  22. Oh Judy, I am so very sorry for the loss of Buddy. It's so hard to put them down, but when they are sick it's the kindest thing we can do for them. I can hardly write this reply because I am crying so hard. Buddy was a beautiful dog and I know that he gave you unconditional love. I am such a pet lover and couldn't ever live without a dog.
    Take care my friend.
    Mary

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  23. I have enjoyed reading many posts here with Buddy and will miss seeing him. So sad to hear. He has given you so many happy memories - blessings, Betsy





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  24. So sorry to hear your sad news Judy. It must be a very difficult time for you. I'm glad you have so many beautiful memories of Buddy and my thoughts are with you. Take care x

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  25. Judy,

    I am so shocked and sad to hear this. He always looked so healthy in your pictures. I know this must be really sad for you and the captain. May you find comfort in your hearts.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  26. I'm so very sorry. Wish I could give you a hug. We all know how you feel....but I know it doesn't make it any easier! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  27. Oh Judy..
    My heart breaks for you! I am truly sorry.
    I hate that our furry family members can't live as long as us humans!!
    How blessed we are to have them in our lives, and their un-ending love and companionship.
    Sending you hugs.
    K.

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  28. Buddy sounds like a wonderful friend! You were so blessed to have him as part of your family. I know how hard it is to make that decision. We've had to do it a few times and it's never easy. Prayers and comfort are coming your way. Mimi

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  29. I am so, so sorry. What a joyful life you provided for Buddy. If only more people knew how much taking a little time and effort with a dog can honestly change their entire lives. I'm sorry for your heartache. Buddy is making snow angels across the Rainbow Bridge now. Beautiful photos.

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  30. I am so sorry about your loss. We, too, just said good-bye to our 13 year old golden. Payton loved making snow angels. Right now they are both up in heaven just rolling around with no aches or pains!!! They are both cancer free!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. I am very sorry for your loss also. I couldn't find any other way to answer you. I can't bring up your blog but I did sign up as your first follower. At least that is what it said. I am so glad that Buddy will be making new friends over the Rainbow Bridge. He was always up for some hard playtime..Judy

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  31. found you blog today. I am sorry to hear of your lose of Buddy. I have a lab mix and May is her b-day. I always have a party and candles she will be 10 yrs. old. Yrs. ago we had a springer and she was fine except ear infects we had to deal with. I came home one day and she was outside acting funny. I called my husband at work and while on the phone she just dropped over and died. We did not have the reason ck. we felt she was at peace and it was so hard. we love our pets like family and part of us has to give them up when they get sick or old. Happy Easter He is Risen

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy