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In memory of Buddy, the best dog that ever lived.
In the late afternoon of October 15, 2010, “Buddy” my best friend was hit and killed by a car driven by an unknown person. Buddy, a golden retriever was born April 6, 2009. He was given to me by Edgar Rodriquez on July 14, 2009.
Buddy changed my life. He taught me what love is. Until I met this very special creature my daily routine was generally unexciting and boring with prospects of more of the same. Now that he is gone I am unable to adequately express my grief. I have lost family, friends and other cherished pets; but never have I felt this deep sense of loss. It is like a part of me is gone forever and his absence just makes me want to cry. Until Buddy’s tragic death I can’t remember the last time I wept.
Everyone who knew Buddy felt instant affection for him. Without exception when neighbors learned of his demise they openly sobbed. I’ve never seen anything like it. My next door neighbors, O.D. and his lovely wife Carol helped me bury Buddy a short time following the incident.
Buddy didn’t chase cars. He was chasing his best friend “Remy” and when Remy crossed the road in front of a speeding vehicle, Buddy, who was close in pursuit of Remy, never saw what hit him. I had just glanced in that direction when I saw his body thrust into the air and then suddenly drop. He attempted to rise but could not. He rolled over a couple of times and then lay still. At first I thought he was just playing which he was prone to do. After several moments it dawned on me that he had been hit by the vehicle and was probably dead. My own heart almost stopped at that moment. I still don’t know how to get over it. Almost everything around me reminds me of him.
This morning, when I went to get the Sunday morning paper, I cried all the way to the box and back. Getting the paper was Buddy’s job. When I first got Buddy he would follow me to the road to get the paper. After two or three times I noticed Buddy eyeing the plastic paper wrapping hanging out of the box. The next day I surreptitiously placed an animal cookie (one of his favorite treats) in the box beside the paper. I told to Buddy fetch “Treat” which his nose led him to do. I then instructed him to fetch paper which he quickly learned to do. He would tug on the plastic until the paper fell to the ground. He would then bite the center to secure a better grasp on the paper and follow me to our rear patio facing the lake. As a pup he had a tough time with the Sunday paper. He would grasp the paper in his mouth and throw his head back so his neck and shoulders could bear the extra weight.
Later, when Buddy was enjoying his morning breakfast, I would ask him to fetch paper and I’d head toward the road. First, He would run along beside me and then began leading the way to fetch paper. The distance I walked with him became less and less until Buddy would respond to fetch paper by going solo. Within a short period of time Buddy knew his early morning job and no longer had to be cued to get it done. Unwittingly, I had created a canine kleptomaniac. He began stealing the neighbors’ papers and it took me almost a month of returning papers and scolding Buddy to break him from his one bad habit.
Buddy loved everyone especially children and the sentiment was infectious. Reactions to his somber, friendly eyes and cheerful demeanor were almost always met with a welcoming pat on the head or a hug. Children and other pets immediately recognized that Buddy did not pose a threat. And, he wasn’t a threat. Even when approached by unfamiliar dogs Buddy wouldn’t even growl. He would gently lie down and other dogs would soon recognize that he was a lover not a fighter and eventually become another one of his many friends. His many friends included neighbors who enjoyed Buddy joining them in their daily walks. Special times for Buddy was when he joined his best friend “Remy” in boat rides with Remy’s master.
If there is a God, he sent one of his Angels disguised as a dog to spread his eternal love. He sent me Buddy and I’ll never forget. And, if there is a Dog Heaven, it just became a better place. Good bye Buddy!
John Koraska, October 17, 2010
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