Well, the loss of Buddy is still strong and will always be but some fun and joy with the cats has helped this weekend. Shaun and I bought harnesses and long cords and have had the cats outside in the backyard with us. Jack loved it the first time and Caleb didn’t; however, this morning both cats walked the perimeter of the yard, just like Buddy use to do (Caleb even peed to mark his territory – Buddy’s legacy). It was wonderful and sad to see at the same time. Both Caleb and Jack looked like they were big, tough, mountain cats exploring the wild as they walked under plants, chased “helicopters” off the trees, and ran through the grass to attack one another. It was just pure fun for me and a treat for them.

Grandpa I don’t think they will be ready to walk the neighborhood anytime soon but they might be able to keep you company as you have a coffee on the deck in the morning. (Though my tea got cold since I wandered the yard with them)

What a great start to a day of remembrance!

Wednesday, May 25th, 2005 is now a permanently sad day – it marks the loss of a friend, a “kid”, a big brother, and most of all a very very very loved Buddy! Buddy Hardimon, born 11-11-92 left this earthly world to go to a place where he is constantly petted, fed and can pee wherever and whenever he feels like it. Even more importantly, where he plays with all the “babies” (toys) he wants to play with and be part of a pack, maybe even the leader of the pack.

Buddy was struggling with a few different medical problems in the past week or so, but Monday he really began to show signs of being sick when he refused to eat – even CHEESE and ground beef (made for him at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning). Tuesday night he lay on the floor with his “dad” and let him know that he was a happy dog but not feeling well at all. So, in a rush between classes on Wednesday, I dropped him at the vet for more tests – knowing that the news was not good, but never expecting it to be as bad as it was. I was expecting the call to say “Come pick him up.” But the call came and it was news that said just the opposite. Sadly, Buddy is never to return to his home; to play with his “brothers” (Jack and Caleb); to bark at the kids on bikes going by the house; walk with grandpa; demand his place in the bathroom next to the tub after Shaun’s run and drop food all over the living room rug to spite me.

Shaun and I met at the vet and spent hours sitting on the sidewalk out front just petting, loving, and looking at our special baby. The bad times of peeing on the wood floor, taking food out of the trash can and spreading it all over the house and challenging me to power contests, were forgotten. Our hearts broke as he let out a couple of last barks at the cars driving by and wagging his tail when Shaun spoke to him. At 8:30 pm I sat with him as the Dr. proceeded to quietly end his discomfort. He slowly lowered his head and left this world. The moment just SUCKED – there is no nicer way to put it! It was one of those moments of “it was the right thing to do” but it didn’t make the pain any less.

We walk around the house now waiting to see him, or step on him, or hear his toes tap dancing on the wood floors – but we hear silence. As Shaun said, “the house is filled with a heavy humidity that lingers in the air”. With each day we hope it gets easier to live without our “oldest baby”, but the one thing is for sure, he is still loved and sorely missed!