R.I.P. Buddy
We have very sad news to report. Tonight we said good-bye to Buddy, our 8-yr-old, bouncy, big-nosed, tender-hearted Catahoula Leopard.
Kari took Buddy in to see the vet this morning after a couple of days of noticing that Buddy did not seem to be acting like his bouncy self. After analyzing his blood, the vet narrowed her diagnosis down to either cancer of the spleen or an autoimmune disease. The treatment options we had were limited to combinations of high-risk interventions and debilitating long-term medications. Several layers of moral calculus (which we had worked our way through once before) led us to the decision to euthanize Buddy.
Hard as it was to say good-bye to Buddy, the hardest part was having to explain it all to Christopher, who has been shaken by the idea that Buddy will not be coming back home. Seeing the boys' reaction (and Sam's) reinforces to us just how much he was loved. Perhaps more than anything else, Buddy was a lucky dog. And we were lucky to have him.
Comments
He had some good years with you, but not enough...
I recommend Judith Viorst's book, The Tenth Good Things About Barney to help the 4 of you process this.
Posted by: Erma Mae Perkins | July 15, 2009 9:17 PM
Sorry to hear Ken/Kari and family....
Posted by: richcaffelle | July 15, 2009 10:10 PM
So sad, but it's nice to know he was so loved!
Posted by: Adam Durand | July 15, 2009 10:57 PM
So sorry to hear the news, guys. Buddy was awesome! We know how much he was loved, and he knew it all along, too!
Beastie died in January the exact same way, exactly, exactly. I know how hard it must have been. I console myself knowing that he will be among the first ones to greet me when my time comes. I have a best friend in heaven waiting for me, and you do too with Buddy.
Posted by: Viviane Stover | July 16, 2009 5:51 AM
So very sorry. He was a wonderful, goofy, lovable, friend. We will all miss his huge splashes in the pond. Be assured he won't meet you on 'the other side of the river', he'll meet you at the shore and cavort across with you. Love and hugs to all.
Posted by: Mom | July 16, 2009 8:29 AM
I will miss Buddy and his happy, excited greetings on my visits. My condolences to you all.
Posted by: jane | July 17, 2009 11:03 AM