RIP

Buddy

4/23/98 – 1/3/11

I'm not sure how to post this … can't find the words. They say a dog is man's best friend – and that's true. But some dogs are something more. Buddy was that dog. He epitomized love and you saw it in his eyes, felt it the way he curled into you and everyone he charmed everyone he met and they fell in love. A piece of my heart is forever empty as I had to help him over the bridge on Monday. I don't want to go into the details of why. It doesn't matter. What does is that he was at peace at the end, loving and sweet until his last breath. I held him until the end. Now my heart's breaking and I'm trying to find a way to go forward without my best boy.

I used to tell Buddy, "you're on the not allowed list" – not allowed to get sick, not allowed to die. I think he listened because he gave me 12 1/2 years. I can look back now and see the last six months he wasn't my Buddy. He was skin and bones, his ribs stuck through, but he was bright eyed and I wanted to believe there was more in him. In the end, I think we did this before he started truly suffering but after the true ending began. I'm trying to find some peace. It's going to take awhile. My girls are devastated and my husband tries not to show it, but every time we all look at each other we start crying all over again.

I'm coming to hate the word "Time" – Time heals, time will tell, Bailey does need time, as do we all. It's just that when are dogs are with us, time goes too fast, and when they're gone, time seems to drag.

RIP Buddy Boy. You will always be loved.