The transport was late, having suffered a mechanical issue on the long journey from Tennessee. We were all anxious - excited to meet our new fur baby. We had adopted Naymer a month earlier, the hound dog who doesn't bark. Since I work from home, I was adamant that we have a dog who barks, so I had campaigned for a second fur baby. The final decision came down to two dogs, one already being fostered in New Hampshire, and one who was in Tennessee and ready for his forever home.
Our cat, Ripley, in October. He was the second of three fur babies we had adopted in England. Chaos was our first cat and Ripley was the mellow male companion our vet recommended. A couple years later we adopted Jessie, a shiba inu mix from the small litter our friend's dog brought into the world. Some time after we moved to New Hampshire, Jessie abandoned us for my mom and Aunt Pat. Their house was always warmer and someone was always there (this was before I started working from home).
Ripley never made much noise, but the house was eerily quiet once he left us. I had sworn off pets, resolute we would not have another pet after Ripley was gone. I lasted two weeks before I was desperate for a fur baby. I wanted a dog.
I found Naymer on Petfinder and connected with the rescue who was looking for her forever home. We drove to Maine on November 9th and all fell in love with the shy and skittish girl. We all knew we could give her a loving home, so home she came with us that afternoon. Once I convinced my husband we needed a second dog, the search resumed. Ultimately, the kids chose Buddy, a black and white tuxedo dog with piercing blue eyes, who reminded them of the tuxedo-ed Ripley who they sorely missed.
Buddy was scheduled for transport and we had to drive three hours to Connecticut to pick him up. The long drive was topped with the delay, and all we wanted was our new baby.
When the transport finally arrived, Buddy was the first dog out of the trailer. Boy was he excited. He was a little lovebug from the moment we met him. In the car, each of our kids got a turn with him sitting on them, claiming them as his. We got home over three hours later and introduced him to Naymer outside. They hit it off until he tried to get in bed with us. That was Naymer's territory and that first night, she wasn't willing to share. It didn't take long before she did, though, and thank goodness we had a king size bed to fit both our babies.
Eventually, Buddy would leave the bedroom for the night when the light went out, only to return for morning cuddles. He loved to chase the RC kids that the kids raced around the yard, and boy could he run fast. One time, when one of my neighbor's chickens went rogue, Buddy got out and caught the chicken. He immediately felt bad, dropping his head and walking away in shame.
We had many nicknames for our baby. Grumpy Dog was an early one because around 7pm each evening, he was ready to wind down and didn't like anyone in his space, so he would growl in warning. Dapper Dog, because of his permanent tuxedo and the way he crossed his paws when he was relaxing. Serious Black Dog because sometimes he just looked so serious. Baby Puppy, because he was such a sweet baby and Puppy Dog because he just acted like a sweet little puppy most of the time. Budinator, the Budster, Farty McFarterson, Handsome Boy. All very appropriate and deserving. And, of course, Head of Security, the job he was born to have.
Buddy's favorite toy was his cheeseburger. He received it one year for Christmas from my oldest son and it lasted for years. He would chase it around the house and make it squeak and bring it out to us on the porch or protect it in his kennel. After he finally tore it apart, about four years after he first received it, our second son bought him a new one. It remains in his kennel at the moment. I haven't had the heart to take his kennel down. We'll find a fitting place for the cheeseburger.
When I had kidney cancer, and then a small spot of skin cancer, Buddy was the first one to know. He was glued to my side well in advance of being diagnosed and stay there until surgery removed both cancers. He always knew when we needed a cuddle and was there as one half of the doggie throne, the most therapeutic seat in the house.
Of course, Buddy is most famous for his stares. I started documenting it on Facebook more after the divorce, but the staring was a thing for him from Day 1. Most days, I loved his staring (some days it was a bit unsettling, but that was my issue, not his). I just knew he loved me and wanted to keep his eye on me all the time. I will miss his staring and his cuddles the most.
Over the past couple years, but has been suffering with Cushing's Disease. We never got his treatment quite right and about a month before he passed, I noticed a significant difference in his health. We adjusted his meds, but his health took a dive and we started talking about end of life decisions. On his final day, after he dragged himself across the floor, unable to use his hind legs, I knew it was time. I sat on the floor with him, me in tears and him looking at me as if he was asking me to let him go. I did not want my poor baby to suffer, so with the help of my ex-husband, we made the decision to let him go.
Our vet was able to get us in and we had a couple more hours with him before he got all the peanut butter he could ever want and then went into a peaceful slumber. He looked so much like our baby puppy in his eternal sleep.
Our lives are better for having had this baby for over 8 years. I will hold on to the memories and I will never stop missing him.
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