Yesterday I lost my Buddy. Buddy had been with me almost 13 years. I got him in December 1997.
Buddy was a rescue dog who I took in from the Fredericton SPCA, when he was found running loose in downtown Fredericton in the middle of the coldest December in years. At the time the staff believed him to be a whippet, which is why I was called. I was known to be a sight hound person—borzoi specifically—and so they thought I might want to adopt him.
When I got down to the shelter it was quite obvious that this little guy wasn’t a whippet—he was way too big for that. Buddy was a mixed breed dog, but one who definitely had a lot of whippet or greyhound in him. He definitely needed a special home, not only because of his sight hound blood, but because of what had happened to him.
Buddy had been neglected, and most likely abused prior to running loose. He was emaciated; had frost bite on the tips of his ears; and was wearing a spiked leather collar.
Once he was released into my care, it became obvious how emotionally damaged this little guy was as well. He had clearly witnessed domestic violence. He had real issues with people standing with their arms crossed—especially in the kitchen. A play fight with someone in the kitchen resulted in Buddy panicking, and jumping up and down between us and barking, in an effort to stop the fight.
Buddy also had real anxiety over food. He seemed to always think he would never be fed, despite never having missed a meal since living with me. This food anxiety was never something he was able to overcome.
When I moved from Fredericton, NB back to the West Coast, I wasn’t sure how he would endure the move. His anxiety disorder was so bad that he was one of those dogs who rarely left the house. He wanted to go with me, but when he was out, all he wanted to do was go home.
Because we had to live in a hotel for a month in Fredericton before flying out to Vancouver, I consulted with all kinds of experts, and implemented their advice. It worked. Through medication, and Buddy’s and my bond, he was able to endure the craziness of the month of hotel living, and a flight to British Columbia that involved a change of planes.
Once he got to our new house, he found all his furniture, because the movers had already delivered the house full of stuff 3 weeks earlier. He knew this was his new home. I made a promise to him then, that he would never have to move again. I lived up to that promise.
This past May, Buddy’s vet—who I’ve known for 18 years now—diagnosed him with renal failure. Unfortunately dogs don’t do as well as cats do with the disease. Despite the special diet we had him on, Buddy was losing weight. Sight hounds don’t have much to lose to begin with, so every pound makes those ribs and hip bones very obvious.
Buddy had been showing other signs of aging as well. He had lost much of his peripheral vision, and also a great deal of his hearing. His back end was also starting to go.
Last Wednesday I made the tough decision. Because Buddy had always been a very proud and dignified dog, I believed he needed to go out that way. The situation should be controlled, and not emergent because he fell down the stairs and broke a leg, or something equally traumatic.
So yesterday, at 10:25AM, my longtime companion Buddy, who had done a remarkable job at overcoming so many of the challenges he was handed, passed away with dignity, and with his loved ones, and his compassionate and caring doctor by his side. We should all be so fortunate.
Hey Helen,
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Buddy. He certainly was a special dog whom I loved very much and feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to spend some time with him again when I was in BC in 2008 b/c I loved him very much. I hope he and Jazz & Serenade are all reunited somewhere over that rainbow bridge. Take Care!
Hi Michelle.
Thank you. You and Jazz were a very important part of Buddy’s life. He loved you very much as well. And Jazz… Well, she was Buddy’s one true love. He had other companions over the years, but never another girlfriend like Jazz. (Remember the daily 4:00 sex show?) 😆 😆
Years ago Marge had put together this photo of our 3 canine companions on the train bridge in Freddy Beach. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen it. Today it seems like a fitting tribute to our friends, and stands as a pictorial representation of the rainbow bridge we hope they are together beyond.
Peace & love…helen
I hadn’t seen the pic…it is very fitting and I love it!
Hi Helen,
I’m soooo sorry to hear about your loss. Nothing can replace the metronome of a happy dog’s tail, or the wet nose and elated eyes when you come home.
Happy Tails to all and have a great thanksgiving.
Thank you Chris.
Buddy was not a fan of my playing sax. He would run out of the room at even the first hint of my getting my sax out. It wasn’t until he lost much of his hearing that he would stay in the studio with me for a while. Even then some of the frequencies would still bother him, and he’d leave.
He was also sight hound enough that he wasn’t a big greeter. Unless he wanted out, or we brought groceries or food home, he would more than likely stay where he was. It was our job to greet him. Yup… That’s a sight hound for you.
Sounds like Buddy had a great last three years. Kudos for rescuing and caring for him. The pictures really tell the story, at least to me.
Thank you Jim.
Sorry for the confusion. I realized that I had written that I got Buddy in December 2007, when it should have been in December 1997. That’s why you thought I only had him 3 years. In fact I had him 13 years. (I’ve corrected my typo now.)
Yes, the pics do tell the story. He was a very calm and satisfied dog when he was with me, and in his home or yard. In the last few years he was even able to travel in the car and no longer cry.
I remember something that the announcer for the Westminster Dog Show said a few years ago. It went something like this: Now that you’ve got the pure bred dog of your dreams, go to your local shelter, and give a mixed breed dog a good home as well.
That’s not an exact quote, but the meaning is there. When I heard that, I thought of my Buddy, and thought: Yup, more people should do that. But I also thought… More people should get there pets spayed and neutered, and then we wouldn’t have as many dogs in shelters in need of homes.
Now I’m starting to sound like Bob Barker and Drew Carey. 😮
Oh ladies.. i am so sorry to hear of you loss. i know how much Buddy meant to you Helen. all our love to you both. hugs & kisses from the east cost
Hello Diana.
Thank you very much. Buddy was still the same lovable & playful guy you knew in Freddy Beach. He had slowed down a lot in the last couple of years though, but it was really only in the last 18 or so months that he started showing his age.
He had a good 13 years with us. He was most likely at least 14 years old when he passed away.
Thank you again for your kind words. I think of you lots. And miss you lots. My band’s shows are just not same without you. I think you’d love the G-string tossing at our bass player that have become the norm.
Lots of love…helen