Here’s the story about our best dog Buddy who left us too soon.

One certain day, 15 years ago, Andrew was driving home from a motor bike riding and saw a sign on the side of the road out in the country that said “Border Collie x Kelpie’s pups for sale.”

Although I didn’t get to meet Buddy when he was a puppy, I was able to see lots of pictures of him when he was tiny and they were so cute. There are still times I wish I had I met him much earlier than I did.

I came into Buddy’s life when he was 7 years old. He was very high spirited and full of life, and I LOVED him the moment I met him. I remember the first day I was to meet Buddy; Andrew was to bring him to Canberra, where I used to live, and I was so excited.

I went out to get Buddy a new bed and a small footy ball that he ended up falling in love with. When they arrived, Buddy was so excited to see me and I was glad he also loved the gifts I had bought for him.

He especially loved me spoiling him, you see, he’s never had a human mum until me. I gave him so much love and truck loads of attention, and we became best of friends.

However, I was no match to the kind of bond he had with Andrew, they were BEST mates! They had the special closest bond I have ever seen between man and dog.

You couldn’t interfere with their bond.

Buddy and I had a special bond too it was a bond I had never had in my life. We did a lot together everyday we would be doing something fun. We had our daily routine. 

Buddy also had travelled to many places. I loved it when Buddy talked to us. I would watch Andrew talk to Buddy and he would answer back.

Buddy enjoyed going on walks, which most times ended up with him running after rabbits. I loved it when we went for some of these walks together, Buddy would be far ahead of us then he’d come back to see if we were coming. It’s like him hurrying us so we’d match up with his pace.

He enjoyed his treats, his favourite was the pig ears. Though Buddy loved and appreciated anything you gave him.

Buddy loved sticks and balls. He especially loved his football, he would go mental playing with it. He knew where it was and would tell you to play footy with him.

He loved all of his toys we had given him his favourite was the piggy it used to drove us crazy with the honk, honk noise. He also loved his squeaky cake toy he was always squeaking the toy.

I will never forget the day I bought Buddy a duck toy it had that squeaky sound, the funniest I had ever heard.

I remember watching Andrew giving it to Buddy, he didn’t know what it was or what to do with it, he was scared of it at first, then we showed him how it works we laughed so much on that day even now when we think about the memory.

Soon as Buddy learned how to squeak the toy he wouldn’t stop he loved the sound. Whenever Andrew came home from work, you would see he and Buddy running around in circles, chasing each other and playing ball.

It was special to watch them; they were always so happy and Buddy would be barking that happy bark we will miss forever.

My favourite thing about Buddy was that he was always by my side, he never left my side.

Every time he sees me he would come racing over to me, even when I check on him while he’s asleep and he knows I’m there, he would get up. Buddy loved his cuddles, he had a cuddle every morning till the day he died.

I remember when I first cuddled him, he didn’t understand it and it felt strange to him but I kept giving him cuddles every single day and he eventually loved it. He loved being loved, he was a happy dog, always looking happy.

Another favourite memory was when we went camping, Buddy loved it whenever we did. He would bring over so many sticks for us to throw, even if you were sitting on the chair he would dump the sticks on your lap. If you didn’t throw them,

he would annoy you until you did. He just loved sticks! Sometimes he would be a little naughty at the camp, he’d annoy all the kids there because he kept taking their ball. The poor kids would then cry, but all Buddy wanted was the kids to chase after him for the ball.

I loved dressing Buddy up he didn’t like it, it was like oh no not this again. I was always laughing whenever I dressed him up. 

I also remember when we walked up this very steep hill. It’s the steepest hill I have EVER walked, it was such that if you turned around without being careful you could fall. Buddy was able to walk up with no problem, but I struggled a lot.

Buddy noticed my difficulty and came over to help. He allowed me to hold on to him while he guided me up the hill and also when we were going back down.

Buddy was so helpful and supportive. He knew I was deaf and I am most times unable to hear someone was at the door. He was so good like that.

Few months ago,

Buddy was looking a little strange we were told he has arthritis he was on medication it helped although not for long, then other issues started to happen like his eye sight he was going blind in one eye and slightly in the other eye he had the most beautiful loving eyes and he struggled to get up his legs were starting to give away and it was getting worse.

We had to make the hardest decision of our lives to let him go.

I found this very, very hard and difficult to deal with…. It was breaking my heart into million pieces. 

Leading up to the day I took special photo’s of Buddy and a few with us. We spend every precious moments with Buddy.

When the day finally came,

Andrew and I had our private moments with Buddy. When it was my turn, I laid my head on Buddy’s back and stroked his head. He always loved it when I massaged him like that.

About 15 minutes before our vet – Nigel, and his assistant arrived, I brought Bella inside so she could have her moment with Buddy.

She kissed him nonstop, she knew he was sad. She then laid beside him and propped her head on him. Buddy normally would move, but he didn’t this time, he just laid there soaking in the love. I am glad I was able capture those moments in a video and some pictures with my phone.

When Buddy left us, I shook so badly as anxiety took over my whole body and I was crying with desperation of wanting him back.

The hurt was almost too great to deal with and I had to get out of the house, so we went for a walk and it helped a little.

We eventually decided to go for a drive out the country where we stayed overnight. We did our best to having a nice time and it helped us to begin our healing.

It’s my first week without Buddy, my whole routine over the years have one way or the other involved Buddy, and now I have to change my routine.

At the moment I am devastated and heart broken, I’m feeling lost and empty.

I miss Buddy so much,

it’s like having a gaping hole due to the loss of a special one and not knowing what to do with that hole, or how to fill it. If only I could have Buddy back just to cuddle him again.

However, I know he is in better place and most importantly without any more pain and that makes me feel better.

Rest in peace special Buddy we miss you…

Above photo was taken the day before 

Buddy went to heaven on the 6th December 2019