Buddy

We had to have him put to sleep on Monday, July 28, 2003. Buddy was a chocolate lab, and a beauty at that. He had the most wonderful temperment of any animal I have ever been around. You see, I was always afraid of dogs, actually sometimes terrified. Buddy took that all away. His gentle manner and his true devotion to our family will never be forgotten. Although he was only 6 1/2 years old he had many health problems. He suffered from allergies to just about everything on this planet. We used to take him for a run quite often to an area called the "floodway". He would howl and yelp as the truck neared the field. He was excited and never lacked showing his enthusiasm.

On his last trip to the floodway, he jumped from the truck and tore the liagaments in his leg. The vet checked him over and told us that the other leg would break very soon as his bones and muscles were detiorating. His allegies were becoming quite severe. He had been on a mild steroid for 5 years and this drug was taking its toll on him too. Buddy had lost about 10 lbs two weeks after his last visit to the vets.

We think now there was more wrong than we knew. His coat was no longer shiny and his skin was dry and flaky. Our pet was suffering, but in silence. He was starting to go down the basement and hide in corners. Once outside he would last 2 minutes as he had this terrible obsession with flies. He hated them. Buddy was a hyper dog, but never growled or barked at anyone welcome in our home.

Everyone who knew him has shed many tears as I have. I never knew what it was like to love an animal so much. I do miss him and it will surely be awhile before the pain goes away, if ever it does.