In Memory of
Buddy Parker

Buddy, the Uncommon Dog

   I realize that everyone thinks that their pet is special. And I'm no different. But Buddy truly was special. Buddy was a gorgeous mixture of golden retriever and black lab. He was a big, tall boy who eventually grew into a 90 lb. frame. I remember being somewhat aggravated with my ex-boyfriend for naming him Buddy since it is such a common dog name. He turned out to be a very uncommon dog. Somehow, though, the name really did seem to suit him.
   From the get-go, Buddy proved to be very intelligent, picking up obedience tips from Harley, my chocolate lab, who was four years older. Best of all, Buddy came when you called him! I used to love taking the dogs out for our long morning walks. Buddy would come alive out on the trails in the woods, running and leaping over obstacles with a big smile on his face. Sometimes I would throw the ball for the dogs as we walked along. It never failed to make me laugh to see my huge boy leaping up and down, running backwards and sideways in anticipation of retrieving the ball!
   I can remember a few years ago going for a big dog walk with several co-workers and their assorted dogs. Buddy would trot up ahead and then come running back to me periodically, smiling and wagging his tail as if to say “Oh mom, this is so much fun!” One of my co-workers wanted to know if he always did that (which he did) and she immediately fell in love with him. 
   I can also remember being at a big outdoor party when a man approached me and said “I've been watching you for 20 minutes and that dog hasn't left your side. How do you get him to do that?” I shrugged my shoulders and said, “That's just the way he is.” Of course, the guy hadn't noticed that I had been chasing around my chocolate lab who was busy snorkeling for crumbs!
   At some point, Buddy decided that he was Harley's bodyguard. We were at a doggy playgroup one time when Buddy came to Harley's rescue after a big 100 lb. lab who was very enamored of Harley got a little too aggressive. Harley is extremely handsome, but very submissive. 
   Buddy climbed on top of the offending dog in a dominant pose and growled “get off of him - now!” The other dog very slowly got off of Harley and went slinking off with his tail between his legs. A group of us witnessed this, and we all looked at each other in stunned silence until someone said “Wow, that was powerful!”
   On the other hand, Buddy loved everyone. Once while walking through the pet store, Buddy trotted right up to a store employee who was sitting on the floor taking inventory and got him with a big slobbery wet kiss. The guy fell over backward laughing. He was such a flirt!
   I noticed over the summer and early fall of 2001 that Buddy wasn't eating well and was losing weight. I thought he was being fussy. I took him to the vet in October, and the doctor immediately realized that there was something wrong with his liver. Unfortunately, I didn't know there was anything seriously wrong because he was still dragging me down the street for our walks. 
   After undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis, an ultimately fatal illness. No, please not my Buddy. He is so vibrant, so alive. I was heartbroken. He was only seven years old. I was encouraged when a specialist felt that, although incurable, the condition could be managed on medication. Buddy made an amazing rebound on meds, eating like a horse and gaining back 10 lbs. and the last liver profile taken in December showed the toxin levels to be almost normal. 
   I was elated and thought he was in it for the long haul. I was fooled. He had a huge setback in early January. After a brief period of hospitalization and complications after he was discharged, I knew I had done all I possibly could for the brightest light of my life. On a very snowy Sunday morning in January, I said goodbye to my cherished pet. I am still haunted by that day, but am comforted that I was there with him and saw him leave this world very quickly and peacefully.
   The same afternoon that Buddy passed away, gale force winds blew in causing power outages everywhere. I know that was because the heavens were putting on a big show because someone very special would be arriving! I can just see Buddy now, riding on a big gust of wind with a big smile and his big floppy ears flying back in the breeze on his way to doggy heaven.
   Buddy far surpassed the definition of the word “dog” with his loyalty, devotion, boundless energy, calm disposition, and uncomplicated and unconditional love. I am very sad at his passing, but feel that I was extremely blessed to have shared my life with him. 
   I have so many wonderful memories and pictures of him. I especially miss his greeting at the door – the smile, the swishing tail and the entire body language that said “I'm SO thrilled to see you, Mom!” 
   I was always thrilled to see you too, Bud. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for you. Now Harley and I have a real guardian angel up there looking out for us. Until we are reunited . . .

  Julie Parker, Bellingham, Mass.