From commentor GrammyPat:
April, 2010: … I give you Li’l Buddy. The first pic is of him four years ago (in all of his patient, 13 yr old, unflappable glory) with my granddaughter, the second is recent. He was not always so encumbered, but he has always been this sweet and tolerant. While he’s still with me, I want to honor his contributions to my flawed existence…although I still haven’t figured out exactly who was rescued by whom.
__
Sixteen years ago, soon after losing my 18yr old Sammy dog to a car, I saw what looked like a black dust mop wandering (and totally oblivious to everything beyond the end of his nose) in the middle of the street in my native northern Kentucky. I was in the process of relocating to a ranch in the desert of southern New Mexico and the last thing that I needed was a little fru-fru dog. But there he was…and I wasn’t going to let someone find their baby like I had found my Sammy. I picked him up, spent the next two weeks making calls, putting up signs, taking him to every vet in the area, running ads…all to no avail. I was reluctant to give him a name and get attached to him because I truly expected someone to claim him so I’d just say “Come on, little buddy” whenever I had to run errands while preparing for the big move. When moving day came and no one had claimed him, I couldn’t just abandon him. So I loaded the 1yr old, 12 lb, poodle-lhasa apso mix into the moving van and off we went on our big adventure across the country. The nickname became his official name but he’s been called a lot of other things over the years: Pun’kin, Stinky, Damn-You-Dog, Sweetie Pete, and Old Man, among others.
__
At that time, and ever since, he has taken everything in stride. He is the most stoic, big-hearted, good-natured, and even-tempered animal that I’ve ever encountered. His philosophy in life is, “If it doesn’t involve Food…it ain’t worth gettin’ excited about.” (Now that I think about it…That’s not a bad philosophy for all of us.) He gets along with everybody and everything…especially if the encounter involves Food. Feed him and he’ll be your “best friend in the whole, wide world” but then completely ignore you if/when the Food runs out. Over his long life, he has had a bite of everything that I’ve eaten…including fruits and vegetables. He has joyfully eaten raw broccoli and celery, sauerkraut, jalapenos, bananas, grapefruit, pickles, and would do back flips for strawberries.
__
He attracts admirers wherever we go… Over the years I’ve had neighbors from the age of 4 to 84 knock on my door(s) to ask, “Can Buddy come out and play?” After meeting him, business associates on phone calls from around the country have inquired about him before asking about me or getting to the reason for the call. He has traveled with me without a whiff of anxiety regardless of the situation, mode, or locale. He’s accumulated more air miles than most people and would sit, holding up the security line while I got checked, until I called him to walk thru the scanner by himself. After getting a “pat-down” from TSA because his collar invariably set off the sensors, he would calmly climb back into his carry-on bag for the flight. If “Food” was his favorite word, then “Go” was a close second. Go…any where, any way, any time…it was all good.
__
I’m sure you’re wondering about the contraption that he’s wearing in the second pic. Two years ago (when he was only 15, young, and stupid), he was romping and rough-housing with a young dachshund that outweighed him. At full speed, the dog plowed into him like the classic T-bone car wreck. He rolled over a couple of times, twisted his spine, and in the process, damaged the nerves going into his rear legs. The damage was not evident at first but over the next year, one leg became progressively weaker until I knew that he would need a cart to continue getting around. Before I could get the cart made, the other leg suddenly went limp and overnight he was paraplegic. He wanted (and still wants) to keep going, and I will do everything in my power to help him do just that. The flag on his cart is necessary because we are now retired, full-time RVer’s, there are plenty of large vehicles in RV parks, and he remains car-stupid after all these years.
__
At about the equivalent of an 80 yr old, the Old Man is on the wane. The eyes and ears are going, but the nose still works. He’s got some arthritis (but don’t we all) in his front legs. But it’s that big ol’ heart of his that will be his downfall. During a checkup about 6 months after his accident, he was diagnosed with a heart murmur that is inexorably leading to congestive heart failure. He sleeps a lot nowadays, waking only to eat (go figure!) or relieve himself. Yet, when I ask, “Want to Go for a Buddy Walk?”, he perks up and the front legs start moving as soon as the back legs are picked up. He has the outdoor cart (seen in the pic) and I’ve also made him an indoor cart that takes up less space in the RV. Either one serves his purposes and, although he becomes fatigued more and more readily, he seems reluctant to get un-hitched and be confined to the bed.
__
Down to our souls, we all believe that ours is the best-est, most wonderful animal to ever walk this earth. Li’l Buddy is all that and more; his legacy is that he is more than I deserve. Over these many years, miles, hardships, and adventures, he has always been there. There next to me. There for me. Calm, unquestioning, and, unconditional. That’s more than we can say about too many of our fellow human travelers. I believe that’s why we share our lives and love with these critters.
__
November 2010 update: The Old Man is fading fast. I’ve added a pic of him with the tongue that now protrudes when he’s relaxed/asleep. It doesn’t get much more precious than that. He no longer has the strength to pull his outside cart and is barely able to move in his inside cart. He still uses the inside cart to stand and eat (duh!) but doesn’t move far from the food bowl. His favorite place to sleep is in my lap and, although this means that I get nothing done these days, it’s an honor to be able to comfort one who has given so much. He’ll be leaving me soon and my sorrow, as deep as it is watching his decline, will only intensify with his passing.
Lysana
What a sweet and touching tribute to a wonderful dog.
/*sniffs*/
JWL
OK, so I’m clear. We’re talking a heart-grabbing tribute to a dog?
Right.
I’ll see that, and raise your fading 16 year old canine with my fading 16 year old feral cat.
My hole card is my 89 year old Mother.
Joseph Nobles
Hey, Li’l Buddy! I bet you’d like GrammyPat to cuddle you close and read you this EPIC Motor Trend takedown of Rush Limbaugh pooh-poohing their choice of the Chevy Volt as the Car of the Year. Did I say epic? I meant most royal righteous.
Maude
Li’l Buddy enjoys airport pat downs. It’s all a matter of perspective.
What a wonderful dog.
Keith G
Wow. Sniff.
WarMunchkin
Very sweet tribute to a wonderful pet.
I just got through reading this thing that digby linked, and I’m all :( and >:O and stuff.
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2010/11/have-contributions-from-donors-been.html
I wish I had a pet… or rather, a lifestyle that would allow me to get a pet.
JPL
What a sweet story and Buddy seems to be an apt name for such a good friend. Since I can’t give him a little hug in person, I’ll just send hugs.
Montysano
Wonderful story. Give Buddy a skritch for me.
jeffreyw
Before it’s too late.
abo gato
Oh man, these early morning stories. I am crying, so thanks a bunch. It didn’t help to click on Jeffreyw’s link either.
snnnniiiiiffffff
bookcat
oh man i’m gonna have a full blown sob going on in a minute. My dachshund Hamish had 2 spinal surgeries this past year. I’m so afraid he’ll wind up in a cart before he gets to romp on a beach again (I have a photo of him as a puppy doing this and hoping to move back to this place to give him that joy.)
My heart goes out to you and Buddy. I feel your pain and know that he had an amazing life because of you.
ok, time to snuggle the pups.
debit
I’m tearing up every time I scroll back up and look at his sweet little face. Thank you for sharing his story.
Ash Can
Hats off to GrammyPat for giving little Buddy such a good life with her, and especially for taking such good care of him in his decline. What a wonderful story.
Kristine
Hugs for Buddy.
My two won’t stop barking this morning, but I think I’ll hug them anyway.
Maody
We are all better for the love we give and receive from our furry companions. ‘Who rescued whom?’ is the ultimate Happy Thanksgiving to GrammyPat, L’il Buddy and the rest of y’all.
Kitty_Sanchez
Grammy Pat,
Thank you for sharing Li’l Buddy with us. What a wonderful relationship the two of you have had! I’m so glad the two of you found each other. Hugs to both of you.
WereBear
What a wonderful story.
What a wonderful dog.
Joy
This brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. How lucky for both of you that you found each other that day. You been great companions for each other, and that’s what it is all about. What a great story and thanks for sharing it with us.
bystander
You said it all so well…
Kudos on the cart. Not everyone would not have gone that extra step. What a lucky Li’l Buddy.
neill
What a delight to read your and Buddy’s story, and to have my early morning grumpy anxious mood instantly and deeply changed just by reading it. Looks like he’s been doing that for folks all his life.
I thank you for the wonderfully writ sharing of Buddy’s life.
As he heads on toward the elysian fields, I bow to him — hope he finds where the wild strawberries grow…
Carnacki
Too sweet beyond words, GrammyPat. Peace to you and your true companion.
Charity Froggenhall
What a great dog. My cats Fido & Tulum (also black) send their fuzzy regards.
Jacquie
A charming tribute for a sweet L’il Buddy. We’re all richer for your sharing it.
And I LOVE the tongue.
Svensker
@Joseph Nobles:
That was awesome and made me laugh.
The story about Buddy was awesome and made me cry.
xian
reminds me of Li’l Brudder
Elizabelle
Grammy: beautifully written tribute, and I love that Buddy has two wheelchairs and is/was a frequent traveler.
A word from someone who just lost her own loved dog to congestive heart failure a few weeks ago: the final episode of straining for breath can come on very suddenly. In our case, we went to bed fine and I awoke at 2:00 a.m. to find my dog struggling to breathe. Kept her as comfortable as I could and caressed her throughout. Some terrible hours before we were able to get to a vet. My pup passed on her own after I’d given permission for euthanasia.
Her sudden death surprised my friends; she’d been in the midst of everything that last afternoon, curious and vital and puppyish for 13 or 14.
It did not surprise me, because she’d stopped eating well about 10 days before — her last meal turned out to be two smallish helpings of specially prepared pot roast, which she relished — anything to tempt her.
But twice her last week I found her looking at me and telling me “why don’t I feel better? What is wrong?” and knew I’d be making a decision to euthanize within the next week to ten days.
The sudden downturn took us all by surprise. It’s sheer bad luck the timing was middle of the night, although vet’s offices are generally open only half of a day’s hours, when you think of it.
What to do, really? I wish I’d had the foresight to let her go gently (I was about 2-3 days from that). You always say “I will let her go when it’s time” but you love her little face so much, and pets are so resilient. Lazarus dogs.
And I would have been haunted by taking some remaining days from her. You never know how many, or if they could have rallied again.
But I think she was telling me it was time, and I just did not want to hear. She paid the price.
Carnacki
Elizabelle, peace be with you and my condolences for your loss.
comrade scott's agenda of rage
Please give him a scritch for me and on behalf of another old BJ dog, Bozo.
He’ll have a forever home in your heart. So thanks for sharing!
cckids
Buddy, what a love! Seems that he more than pays you back for any & all efforts on his behalf. A good Thanksgiving to you.
asiangrrlMN
Buddy is a beautiful boy. What a wonderful, amazing life. Now I’m all teary. How I love these morning animal rescue stories.
@Elizabelle: My deepest condolences to you for the loss of your loved girl.
ruemara
I’m glad I took the day off work so I can get misty eyed without witnesses. Buddy is the sweetest and the tongue pic is to die for.
@Elizabelle:
My condolences. Don’t fret over your choices. I say this as someone with a very senior cat who has been visiting death’s door, then rebounding, for several years now. She knew you loved her and you were with her as she passed. It’s enough.
Dreggas
What a great story.
trollhattan
@Elizabelle:
Elizabelle, yours is a timely reminder. In our case our dog was diagnosed with lung cancer, manifested by a persistent cough. We were shocked of course, and as he was my first and only dog I naturally wanted to keep him with me as long as possible. He was too old for surgery or even treatment so we were left with taking extra good care of him while watching for the inevitable.
Things got gradually worse but Bruno’s heart, like GrammyPat’s Buddy, was too big to throw in the towel. Caring for him became a full-time occupation but hooray, I’d been laid off of work so time I had. We had a lot of slow walks around the block, day and night, and we made as many comfortable “nests” for him as we could. Dogs seem to know things aren’t right and need the reassurance of snug, safe hideouts. I suspect this was deeply ingrained back during their wild past.
We had another consult with the vet so I was able to ask the critical question: how will I know it’s time? She showed us how to check his gums. If you press against the gum, release your finger and it remains gray, he’s not getting enough oxygen in his blood and at that point is struggling for life. In Bruno’s case that meant the tumor had blocked off too much of his lungs.
Sure enough, one morning I got Bruno up to go out into the yard and he began staggering around, clearly in distress. I performed the gum test and knew. Called my spouse, got somebody to watch our daughter (then three) and took Bruno on his last ride.
An hour later we were back home with just his collar and fifteen years of memories. In reflection, I would not change how we handled his last few months although I will not claim it was easy. Coincidentally enough, in writing this I realize Bruno’s last day was exactly five years ago, today. I miss him still.
Elizabelle
Thank you all for your kind words. I miss my girl so much, but am glad she’s beyond health troubles.
Ruemara, asiangrrl, carnacki: you are all the best. (Although I already knew that.)
Trollhattan: thank you too, and for sharing that tip about the gums. I never thought to ask the precise “how will I know?” persistently (my very gentle and taciturn Korean vet responded “you will just know.”)
Ya know, pets are lucky to belong to Balloon Juicers.
Also.
sgrAstar
Thank you for the lovely, heartfelt story, GrammyPat. Dogs rule!
wonkie
Thank you for the sweet story about Buddy.
RedKitten
What a beautiful story. Buddy was very, very lucky to have you, and you to have him. You’ll miss him sorely when he moves on, but your memories of him will always bring happiness and comfort. Thank you for sharing him with us, even for this brief period of time.
And please give him a nice scratch behind the ears and a “Who’s a good dog? YOU are! Yes, YOU are!” for me, okay?
tina connor
A lovely story. Buddy is the double of my Bobby – my Lhasa and he is 8 years old and a little love.
Tina UK
JR
Old dogs, and cats, and watermelon wine… wait, that’s from a song.
We had a similar event, our black fuzzy dog, Clyde, gradually lost use of his hind legs over a couple of days. Our local vet couldn’t identify a problem with his x-ray, and the next evening my wife took off for a veterinary hospital in Columbus, OH.
She said it was like arriving at any big city ER, with trained vet techs running out in scrubs, with a gurney. The next morning they took him tlo Children’s Hospital, for an MRI, \which showed disk damage and adhesions on his spinal cord. A very brilliant neurosurgeon operated almost immediately, and a couple of days later they sent him home to recuperate.
We used a belly-band to hold his rear end up to take him for walks in the woods, we live in wooded near-wilderness in Lincoln Co, WV. He was very vocal about not liking the crate we had to keep him in to keep him from re-injuring himself. After 3 weeks or so, he regained the ability to walk, with odd gaits, and now he acts like a regular farm dog, with additional gaits.
I think he fell off the back steps, where the rail would allow a low-slung dog to fall through. He moves both lefts together, and then both rights in one gait, and sometimes runs the front legs alternating while the back legs move in unison.
He’s 14 now, I think. He was a little black wad of fuzz walking down the hill in the snow one December afternoon. Very smart, very opinionated, very in charge.
We have a big old cat too, who is off the scale for cat-years::people years, the chart only goes to 15 = 80 and he’s 18, so that’s probably 98 or 100 people years… Takes laxatives and thyroid meds, and sleeps against me to keep warm. Across the top of my head, usually. I’m willing to put up with it, as he purrs a lot late at night.
We have 2 locally rescued dogs, and one from the vet, where no one goes unadopted, and 2 locally rescued cats, one alley cat rescued from downtown Charleston, and 2 kittens from the vets, for a total of 3 dogs and 5 cats. One dog weighs 88 pounds, and is in charge of security. Just last spring he caused a sneak thief, who didn’t know I was watching, to hop back into his primer-gray pickup – he really earned his kibble that day!
We love ’em all, and are lucky to have a good friend willing to house sit when we travel. They love him a lot, it’s like going to grandma’s for them, as he’s allowed to spoil them shamelessly.
I’ve made 2 flavors of cranberry sauce and a punkin pie, and we’re going next door (about half a mile) in a couple of hours for a very traditional neighborhood Thanksgiving dinner. My wife is working on a corn pudding as I type.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hug your critter once for me!
JR, in the WV woods
JR in WV
Hi
The Brilliant surgeon’s name is Jennifer Lang, whose name I tried to add to my post about our fuzzy children, but didn’t get the save button clicked in time, as the punkin pie reached perfection as I was typing. She was really sweet to Clyde and my wife, and called us often as Clyde recovered to be sure he was doing well.
If only people were treated as well as the MedVet hospital treats our fuzzy loved ones.
I give thanks every day for Dr. Lang’s expertise and Clyde’s company here on the farm.
Peace,
JR