At 12:20 p.m., Buddy in Florida crossed over The Rainbow Bridge.
He had licked away some of my tears before he left us.
As I had promised Jackie, he was on my lap during the entire procedure;
he was loved on by many at the Clinic before he passed.
(And, I must add, we could hear RicoBadBoy screaming for his lunch in the background;
he was, as always, doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.)
Buddy's ashes will join those of Misha the Airedale, April My Heart Dog,
CariTheCairn, Chrissi-One-Eye; Luuceee You Got Some 'Splainin' To Do
& RosieVi the Shy; his soul has become part of my heart,
and I will forever remember this Old Man of Florida,
who was such a sweet guy, and whom Jackie saved so we
could give him a few months of doggie heaven and an easeful death.
My gratitude goes to Dr. Hathaway and the Staff of the Vet Clinic of Palm Harbor,
especially Danielle, who carried him away with such respect;
to those who donated to give Buddy these four months of comfort;
to Peggy of Groomingdale's, who made him look so handsome;
and to RicoBadBoy, Daisy2Legs, Heather & SweeTea,
who welcome every foster and doggie houseguest with open paws.
Buddy was welcomed and moved right in, back in July.
He often slept on my bed; learned to run free in the yard,
and to use the doggie bathroom;
he immediately knew which door led to outside.
He wasn't a cuddler, altho he did learn to sit on my lap
for short periods of time, for ear and tummy skritches.
He quickly decicded that when I nap on the couch, so does he,
and he asked to be put on the couch, at my feet.
He followed me EVERYwhere, and, when I left the house,
greeted me with subdued joy when I returned;
I could hear him snuffling under the door from the garage to the kitchen,
so I called him my Snuffleupagus. He liked car rides,
but in the front seat; no back-seat driving for him!
He was, in short, an endearing sweetheart of a dog,
and we will miss him.
Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really.
- Agnes Sligh Turnbull
PAM SIMPSON:
I am so sorry. You did well by him and gave him what he needed
at the end of his time here! Bless you all.
BJ ISAACS:
Fostering tears our hearts. Tears fall when we lose them or adopt them [out]. My tears are falling now as I feel your loss and pain. I thank the heavens above for you and Jackie. Thank you for giving him those four months.
NEAL SKRENES:
I am so sorry to hear this, but we knew the day was coming. You did the best for him that you could, that actually anyone could.
I said you would know when it was time, and you did. Hugs all around.
JACKIE IKE:
Rest well little man . . . God only knows how much you need it!
DOREEN MUNDIE:
Love to you all . . . He lived to a grand age for a pup and died surrounded by love . . . a very blessed way to walk the Bridge . . and thank-you for letting him into your heart . . . we will be thinking of you and I will tell Keefe, soon, to look for that beautiful fellow when she makes her journey.
SANDY CHECK
(FosterMom toTEDDIE FROM TAMPA):
Awwww . . . so sorry. It's always heartbreaking, no matter what the circumstances. Poor Buddy could not have landed in a better home than yours for his last days.
JUDY JOHNSON:
Blessing to you, Buddy and all.
ELAINE ALGER:
It is with tears in these old eyes and an ache in my heart that I write to thank you for taking in this little guy, and for making his passing peaceful. How special you are for showing the little guy love before he continued on his journey.
TRACIE COTTON:
So sorry . . . thank you for loving him so well for the last four months. RIP Buddy.
CHRISTIE HANSEN:
I'm so sorry to hear about Buddy. . . at least you know he had four months with your pack . . . .
LINDA SAVAGE:
I am so so sorry for your loss. It never gets easy.
PEGGY NALLEY:
So, so sorry. He is at peace and suffering no more. We are the ones suffering and grieving for one of our own! RIP Buddy, you stole all our hearts, but especially your foster Mom's. We love you for giving him so much love and constant care to Rainbow Bridge . . . all the ones that have gone before you are happy to see you.
PATRICIA YARNOT:
I am so sorry. I know how you put your heart and soul into every rescue you take in. Buddy sure was special. I know he's happier now that you have given him such a loving sendoff. RIP dear Buddy.
BOB ANDERSON:
I shed a tear for Buddy . . . I'm so glad that he got to spend four months with you before his crossing!
JACKIE PARKER
In England:
So sad to hear about Buddy. It seems like a lot longer than four months and you know he will be waiting for you at the Bridge because you are the special person that loved him after he'd been abandoned. I'm so glad you were there for him.
EILEEN KEMP:
It's hard to believe that you had Buddy for four months, it didn't seem that long ago that you and Jackie were working to get him. I am so sorry for your loss. Far too many lately.
MARY BRABENDER:
You have walked this way before, but I would imagine each time is specifically different in your heart space. and Buddy and Rico were very present to me today. I feel as if we all were holding the both of you during this passage.
Am glad you are writing an In Memoriam webpage for Buddy. Take your time and breathe in between the sadness. Your love made his ending time very special for him. Having your presence and arms around him with all the others sounds quiet and restful for him. And I am glad there were others who shared this time with the two of you.
KATHY WALKER:
I'm very sorry. Your open and loving heart is such a gift to these Cairns. But I know each one of these losses takes a piece of your heart with it. I send you a big hug . . . . Take great comfort in knowing you did everything you could . . . and probably more.
PERLA CHIAFFITELLA:
So sorry, the hardest part is always letting go. Thank you for giving him the best four months of his life and thank you,ÊJackie,Êfor pulling him and YES he was ready; his eyes spoke volumes.
MARILYN ROYLE:
I am just so saddened by this. I thought about Buddy all day and I knew it was his time. I am so grateful he had you for the last four happy months of his life; he was safe and secure and he had love. There is nothing better. Thank you from all of us at CRUSA for giving him his chance at happiness. He most certainly found it with you.
NORA DONALD:
I am so very sorry. RIP little Buddy.
SHELL LEWIS:
So very sorry for your loss. Our hospice dogs need love and care too. We're beyond lucky to have you.
MARSHA AARONS:
I'm so very sorry to hear about your sweet old man. You gave him so much in the short time you had him. It is heartbreaking when they go and as someone said, losing one is a loss everyone feels. You have been a treasure to all of your rescues. My heart and thoughts are with you.
GAYLE KIESOW:
So very sorry, lucky little guy to have you in his final days.
GINA WALKER:
Oh, my heart was so sad reading this - poor little Buddy and poor you, Andréa. I will say a prayer for your family. You were a saint to welcome him into your home so he had a wonderful ending to his life.
SHELLY SIMINSKI:
I'm so sorry for your loss of Buddy. I know you gave him your very best and more. God bless you and Buddy.
SHANNON RADOSEVICH:
My heart is just breaking. I could !hear how much you cared for Buddy in the words you wrote. I'm so happy he had the best damn end-of-life care with you. The love and care you gave him was probably just what he wanted and deserved. Thank you for loving him Andréa; any dog that ends up with you is one lucky dog.
SUE LOSINGER:
My beautiful Buddy from Grand Rapids is waiting to show your beautiful Buddy the ropes of The Rainbow Bridge. God Bless you for loving this guy. Here is a picture oF Sir Budrick of Grand Rapids.
HEATHER SHEA:
I am so sad to hear this, I love those special old guys; they warm my heart. I am so glad he had a few months of love and comfort.
BOB SHIRE:
Thanks, for giving Buddy those few months of happiness and doing all that could be done for him.
BJ ISAACS:
I waited to read this til this morning. As I read it, I could feel and see he was ready to go. I cried as I read it. Thank you so very much for being there for him.
PEGGY NALLEY:
BJ, we both were reading it at the same time. It has taking me this long to stop crying so I can type this. So . . .
I know you don't think you need any thanks for doing what you love to do, but you are an angel when it comes to giving all you can for these precious babies. I knew several days before he went to the Bridge that it was time. I was told a long time ago that once they refuse or don't want to eat, their poor little body is shutting down and they don't need to eat, but that is hard for us as humans to accept, because we want them to not feel hunger, but they don't feel hunger when they are dying. So again, you were so blessed to have him for just a little while to give him the comfort and peace that he needed to go and greet his owner at the Bridge.
VIOLETTA ARGUETA:
I want to thank Andréa for loving this little boy and giving him the best four months possible after getting getting out of the shelter. To Jackie Ike, who pulled him, and to those who donated money to make his last four months easier.
As I look at his website, and read, I cry. I type this and tears run down my face.
Run free, little guy, and know that you were loved by many.
SCRUFFY DAVIS:
You have been an angel to so many needy Cairns. I cried when I read Buddy's story . . . both for the loss of a dear little dog and for the wonderful four months that he enjoyed with you and your furmily. We are thinking of you at this difficult time!
MAUREEN SCOTT
In Canada:
Fly high, Buddy! You were such a lucky boy to spend your final days and hours with Andréa & her pack . . . Andréa, your care and kindness to these poor little souls is beyond belief. Even cooking 4 Buddy? Now that is sheer devotion!
ALSTON LAUGHLIN:
Buddy's last days and the photos with Daisy are beyond beautiful and touching. Thank you for sharing your story. I can hardly see to write this and Winston looks perplexed. I cry every moment I imagine living without him.
BETTE BOYERS:
Poor Buddy. My condolences to you. Thanks for what you do for all the fur kids.
JUDY GRIMES:
I'm so sorry Buddy's earthly life is done. He is happy in his new place. It is so hard to lose a pet.
Jan Wightman:
Heartbreaking, so glad Buddy had a wonderful last four months with so much love.
Ellen Markley Cada:
Prayers, Bud.
Kate Grise:
Oh i loved him. Jack will make sure he gets settled ok in Heaven.
Ann Hamrick:
Sweet Buddy. So thankful he had much love his last few months.
Britt Jorunn Astad:
RIP little friend.
Ray Byers:
So sorry for your loss. Gone but never ever forgotten. Benji, Benji, Honey and Berri. Always in my heart.
Geri Sonnenberg Marion:
Thank you for loving Buddy.
Melanie Casper:
So sorry! Prayers and hugs to Andréa for loving this sweet little man.
Cina Cavaness:
Prayers for your Healing Heart.
Elizabeth Betty Buenning:
Thanks for all you all did to give him all the love for the last of his journey!
Sandy Sharples:
I'm sorry for your loss. Buddy knew he was loved and now he's well and young again. God bless you and all who cared for him.
Eileen Piersa:
Very sad. So sorry.
Lori-Ann Migliore:
I'm so sorry . . . Rest in peace little pup
Debby Sodders:
Hugs!
Carol Doggett:
Thank you for loving Buddy so well to the end! I know he was grateful for your loving care.
Paula Hughes McCombs:
Poor baby I'm so glad he spent four happy months before he went to the Bridge.
Jodi Feinsilver Koblick:
Andréa, I am so sorry that you had to let Buddy go.
MARY BRABENDER:
This was beautiful. . . . it feels as if everyone had a piece of making his last months on earth a fulfilling, loving and safe place. Your presentation honors everyone who does this very important work.
MARY BRABENDER:
I'm so sorry to hear about Buddy. He was a lucky fellow to have ended up with you for the short time he had left!
I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives,
and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race;
for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years,
what would it be if they were to live double that time?
- Sir Walter Scott
RAINBOW BRIDGE
Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all
of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine
and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:
they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.
They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass,
faster and faster. You have been spotted,
and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face;
your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together . . .
Author Unknown
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