Forever our Buddy
December 12, 2011 Barney, Buddy, Danny 23 Comments
da Budman
Thirteen years ago they sat in the lounge at race track. It was time to name the new litter of pups heading off to training camp. Winnie Whiskey, Ritchie Rum, Kooky Kahlua, and our very own Barry Bourbon. All eight pups where named during Miller time.
On March 6, 2004 we wandered over to an adoption event. We had just adopted Joey and Talley and we wanted to say hi. The most beautiful fawn boy with a black mask was standing there, waiting for someone to love. He’d been in a home and there was some story about a bite, but we didn’t care, there was an instant connection.
Rayetta smiled her coy little smile and said she was running a special, adopt two, get one free. We took a quick walk around the parking lot to talk it over, walked back in and took the leash.
Buddy took to the acre like it was his and he was sharing it with us. He was home from the very first day.
Buddy, Danté, Danny, Barney
The more dogs we fostered, the more he took it upon himself to make sure they knew how to act like “dignified and stately” greyhounds.
Danté went to one of the best homes ever, Danny became a garden hound and Barney went to a home for six years, but now he’s back. Buddy did a pretty good job fostering those hounds.
Back at the farm
Thanks to Buddy, we met the most wonderful people. We became friends with the kennel owners that raced Buddy. They loved him as much as we did and were always delighted when we took him to the farm for a visit.
Buddy was a wonderful ambassador for greyhound adoption. Who wouldn’t fall in love with such a sweet, sweet dog?
Buddy aged so gracefully. Just enough silver in his muzzle to give him that dignified look. He was totally toothless, but it never bothered him. He had a healthy appetite until the very end.
About six weeks ago, Buddy had a serious episode of laryngeal paralysis. We made an emergency run to the vet clinic; he couldn’t breath. I was scared and he was really scared. Our vet was so wonderful and she pulled him through. We knew when we brought him home that afternoon that this was something that he would have for the rest of his life.
He was just one week shy of turning 14 and we opted not to do the surgery. Instead, we would do our best to keep him calm and cool so that we didn’t exacerbate another attack. He did great for six weeks.
This morning he went out for his first potty break at 5:30 am. It was time for breakfast and he ran from the back acre to the back door ready for breakfast. He began struggling to breath. We had sedatives here and promptly gave them to him, but it didn’t help.
I loaded him in the car and raced to the emergency vet calling them on my way to tell them I was coming. When we brought him home after the first time, I promised him it would never happen three times.
Karen followed me over as soon as she got the other dogs in the house. We held him close to us as we told him how much we loved him and that he was the best boy ever.
Buddy aka Barry Bourbon • November 7, 1997 to December 12, 2011
Our hearts are shattered in a million pieces tonight as we miss our boy.
Udder budder boy, you will be forever our Buddy.
23 Comments to “Forever our Buddy”