My Dear Friend Buddy Has Left This World Too Soon!

If someone had told me that my last walk with Buddy would be on Thursday, October 8, I wouldn't have believed him because this handsome boy was a bouncy, talkative, and enthusiastic walker who loved 

our three day a week routine of stopping at Profile Gas and Auto Repair to snag milk bones that were on top of the gas pumps. I tried very hard to get him to pose in front of the gas pumps but he was so ecstatic about getting a snack that he couldn't sit still or concentrate on my direction to back up!   After munching on his treats he loved to hurriedly walk downtown so he could browse inside his favorite consignment and hardware stores and then greet a construction worker who knew Buddy by name.  

Last Tuesday I was all set to walk Buddy but got an unexpected text from his mom saying she needed to cancel because Buddy hadn't eaten in three days. The following day I got another cancellation because his appetite hadn't improved but she was hopeful he would perk up. By Thursday he was taken to the veterinarian who discovered that he was suffering from kidney failure as a result of dormant Lyme disease. By this point he couldn't sit but could walk and lay down so we were all hopeful that his condition would reverse and that day came on Friday when he perked up, gave the family kisses, wagged his tail and was basically the same Buddy but the even still the vet said that his time was limited even with multiple medications to ease his pain. 

From Sunday through Monday I didn't hear any news from Buddy's mom and I feared the worst and unfortunately I was right. On Tuesday afternoon, October 20, I received the news that he had been put to sleep that morning because Buddy let his family know it was time for him to cross over Rainbow Bridge. He was only 6!

Even though I was Buddy's walking partner for three days a week for only six weeks I was devastated by this news because we bonded immediately and he was so much fun to be around. I considered him as one of my favorites because of his personality and because he absolutely loved life and now he is gone way too soon! 

I am devastated by his loss but I am grateful that his family listened to Buddy when he told them he was in too much pain to stay with them any longer.