Most of you know that
we lost our good boy,
Buddy, this year.
This will be the first Christmas without him in thirteen years,
and when we get our first snow fall,
we will surely think of him and miss him even more
as snow
was his favorite thing.
He always made us laugh
and he was the best maker of snow angels around.
His most favorite holiday, though, was Halloween.
He loved to be in the front line when the door opened
and his nose would be headed right for the trick-or-treaters
bags of goodies.
When Buddy passed, we had just bought a new large bag of dog food.
We thought we should donate it to the shelter where the Captain walks the dogs.
But, each week, he conveniently forgot it,
and I couldn't remind him
because I knew he was feeling that would put a period at the end of a chapter
that he wasn't through writing yet.
A few months ago, a new neighbor moved onto our street
and we just found out that she accepts donations of dog related items
to give to the homeless for their dogs.
We have a fairly large contingency of homeless people in our area
and most of them have dogs that act as support and family,
something that is usually in short supply for them.
It was an idea which was beyond wonderful
and was a release that was needed for our healing to begin.
This is the time of year when we really see the generosity and the glad tidings come forth for our fellow man.
It is important that the good spirit extends to all God's creatures.
This lovely lady is an angel in my book,
and we delivered to her front door,
Buddy's bag of food, his two good leashes,
his warm coat
and his Thunder shirt.
Merry Christmas, Buddy
Thank you for sharing your legacy with those less fortunate,
and thank you for making us be better humans
than we ever thought
we could be.
...Judy...
I would like to thank Patti and Paula, the lovely ladies of Ivy and Elephants for featuring the Cottage's guest room. I am honored to be among all the beautiful features and I appreciate your kindness so much.
We are going away for Christmas so want to tell all of you to have yourself a merry little Christmas with your friends and families. Will be back around the New Year.
Sharing today with:
I am so sorry for your loss. That was a very touching post. I lost my sweet Pippy 3 weeks ago. I still can't believe that she is gone. We had her for 13 1/2 years. It's so hard to say good bye, isn't it? I understand the hesitation in letting go of the dogfood. I haven't let go of Pippy's yet. I still have her bottle of insulin in the fridge and haven't been able to toss it yet. I guess it makes it all so final. I need to do it because I think if I wait, it will be harder to do.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you have a Merry Christmas, although I know that your heart is aching. Time will make it easier but our girls will always be in our hearts.
Oh Judy, I'm just tearing up here. This must be such a difficult time for you and your husband thinking of dear Buddy. The 'firsts' are always the hardest and I'm sure you think of him so much throughout the day. What wonderful memories he left you with. Did I tell you that he was one of the luckiest dogs to have such a loving home? I'm sure you realize that when your husband walks the shelter dogs. He deserved the beautiful life he had with you so consider him one of the luckiest dogs on this earth. Sending a hug and wishing you a very peaceful and love-filled Christmas. Hugs, Deb
ReplyDeleteOh Judy, this post made me cry -- it's so sweet. The pictures you included are precious, and they really let Buddy's character shine through. I understand your feelings; we still miss MacDuff. Duncan is cute, but he is SUCH a wild child; some days we're just at a loss with him. We're hoping things will get easier. I'm so glad you shared this sweet story with us, and it's nice to know that so many homeless people have a dog to love.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you, my friend, and safe travels!
XOXO,
Denise at Forest Manor
What a beautiful post, Judy. And such a heart felt tribute to your Buddy. I so enjoyed seeing his pictures so thank you for sharing. I hope a little of Buddy's love rubs off on the lucky dog that receives his things. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you lost Buddy, our pets are definitely family, aren't they! It seems all things work out just right, holding that bag of food was meant to be! Have a safe journey wherever you trip to. And, have a Merry Christmas! Blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteSweet, sweet post. What a lovely dog Goldens are just the most loving wonderful friends. I think he would be very happy to be a part of this.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Oh what a beautiful post Judy. I lost my Whoopie on Christmas day 6 years ago - she was 17 years and was a rescued dog. I still miss her so much, but she brought me so much happiness. I know how much you and the CAptain love Buddy. He is at the Rainbow Gate waiting for you and the Captain. That is what got me thru.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind woman and I know Buddy is happy that you donated his things for a good cause.
Wishing you and the Captain a Very Merry Christmas.
Mary
How sweet that you and your neighbor share with the homeless - too often people sneer and shout at them and their dogs. That is so sad, but this story has cheered me, thinking that perhaps there are others doing similar things for the homeless and their pets. I always wonder, when I see a homeless person and a dog, if the dog helps to keep them warm on these cold and wet nights.
ReplyDeleteDear Judy, this post really touches my heart!! How wonderful that you were able to donate and give those precious things of your Buddy along with the food. I too lost my dear sweet Miss Beazy Lee also a Golden in 2012 after she was hit by a car. It is still very hard for us and I can so relate to how you feel. We raised 4 Golden's over the years and they all looked like your Buddy. In fact, we had a boy named Buddy too. Miss B was only 8 years old and her life was way too short. She brought great joy and went to work with me everyday in the studio. I will miss her always. She loved Christmas and opening her presents. She too had a thunder shirt as she was always so scared of storms.
ReplyDeleteI think my Miss B and your Buddy are probably playing together and having a grand time at Rainbow Bridge. I am so sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you in your remembrance this first Christmas without Buddy.
Wishing you and your Captain a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the new year. So glad we connected this year through our blogs. You are a blessing.
Love to you!!
Judy, you have me in tears. What a sweet tribute to your Buddy and such a great cause. I can imagine how some of the homeless appreciate their 4 legged companions and it's good to know that someone is caring enough to provide for them. I wish you and the Captain a blessed Christmas! Enjoy. Hugs. Pam
ReplyDeleteOh Judy, I am in tears here at this very moment. What a heartfelt post and my heart truly goes out to you. My little Yorkie dog has some issues that have made me think about what we may have to do next, which makes me cry for days even contemplating the thought. I just don't know what I would do without her (I'm crying all over again!) and I can't imagine our home without her. So please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you now. If the pain for me right now is so great and she is still with us then I can't even imagine what your pain must be like.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got to share her things with a dog in need. :-)
Sending hugs,
Gina
Dear Judy,
ReplyDeleteI am crying reading this lovely tribute to Buddy. He was in so many of your posts.
I lost my little Lady around november 2 years ago.. one of many of my wonderful pets..that gave me so much love.
I am writing this now with my 5 loving babies lying around the woodburner..
I am so pleased that you found somewhere for the food and Buddies things to go.
He will always be in your heart...
a lovely post Judy..
Wishing you and J. a very happy christmas..with lots of good cheer.
Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog ..
looking forward to next year.
love val xxxx
Judy this post made me cry. I lost my best friend Blizzard almost 7 years ago and I still to this day miss him. He was there with me through a lot of difficult and good times, from a marriage breakup, through nursing school and finally to my new marriage to Mr. Rosemary Lane and a New life here in NJ. He died at the age of almost 16, a remarkable age for a lab mix. The passing of our furry 4 legger friends marks time for us, ends an era and reminds us that it is now time for a new chapter in our lives to begin. Your Buddy is there at the rainbow bridge playing with my Blizzard and waiting for us to come along to take the trip with them over to the otherside where they will be with us...Forever. I know there is a debate as to whether or not dogs have souls and can enter in to heaven. But in my book they are angels sent from God to teach us about unconditional love, and heaven could not be heaven without unconditional love! Your Buddie's gift to the dogs of the homeless is a wonderful idea...I am sure his tail is a wagging!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, keeping you in my prayers, and sending to you big hugs.
XO Barbara
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas Day! Treasure you memories this Christmas and everyday.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post! What a treasured friend you had.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your beloved Buddy...my heart is heavy knowing how much you miss him. We lost our Henry this year, too. It is especially apparent during the holidays that we are missing a piece of our family. Merry Christmas to you and the Captain, Judy. I hope Buddy and Henry can share a treat and have a game of catch on this Christmas day...along with all the furbabies that were lost this year. Merry Christmas, Buddy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute to your pooch. Have a very Merry Christmas Judy!
ReplyDeleteSherry
Awww Judy, Buddy was such a lovely dog. It's difficult losing one of our fur babies. They are so loyal and loving. I know there is sadness in your heart. You wrote such a beautiful tribute to Buddy. May God bless. Merry Christmas to you and yours and a happy bright new year. xo
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ReplyDeleteFeliz Navidad, espero que el próximo año venga cargado de proyectos mágicos, y mucha ilusión. Un abrazo y muchos besos des de elracodeldetall.blogspot.com, Os espero .( • ~ • )
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I understand how you feel. This is our first Christmas without our sweet Paris. We also have a bag of items that we keep "forgetting" to donate. How wonderful that Buddy's love is continuing on earth by helping the homeless. It's amazing how these precious creatures expand our capacity to love. Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year.
ReplyDeleteYour sweet Buddy was most blessed having a family like yours Judy. What sweet memories you have of him and darling photos too. It's harder at the holidays to see the hole that's left when one of our sweet animals leave us. But then again...everyday is hard for awhile after they have gone from us.
ReplyDeleteI want to wish you a wonderful 2015 my dear!
many hugs...
Ohhhh Judy your sweet Buddy was adorable and had soulful eyes. How sweet you could donate those precious things to your neighbor's cause to help others out. You see so many seniors and homeless that have to give up their beloved pets because of the cost of food. So happy your neighbor does this to help others. What a blessing she is and what a blessing for you and Jerry to have this opportunity in Buddy's memory to help.
ReplyDeleteKris
Our fur-babies never leave our hearts and I'm sure Buddy was watching over you all this holiday. REST BLESSED SWEET BUDDY oxox
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