We lost our sweet dally Buddy yesterday morning. He was a true companion to the whole family. We got him right after our oldest son was born. That was almost ten years ago. He was nine months old and his owners were giving him away b/c they didn't know dallys got so big. It turns out that was fate that we answered that ad. He died of labored breathing, due to an unknown heart condition. We didn't know he was having trouble, but that's the way he was. Even the vet that took him to xray on his last day on this earth commented on how sweet and cooperative he was despite his current condition. He was the best thing that happened to our family.

I'm so sorry you lost your dear Buddy.

My border collie, Luba died of a previously undetected heart condition too. She had just turned nine, and she was gone within 48 hours. It breaks your heart.

I'm glad that you found this site. The people here are wonderful.

I fully understand the pain you are feeling over the loss of your beloved Buddy. It's great to know what a wonderful life he had with you and your family....he was obviously loved very much.

The pain you are feeling over his death is very real and very justified....don't ever let anyone tell you it isn't. Only other pet lovers fully understand what you are going through.

I'm very sorry for your loss. The grief process is a long hard road, but all of us here at LS are traveling it and we will help you find your way as best we can. I hope we can offer comfort and understanding to you during this most difficult time.

You're in my thoughts,
__Jim

I am so sorry you lost your sweet dalmatian Buddy. He sure was a beautiful boy and I can see that he was loved very much. This is a terrible journey that we must walk filled with longing and so many tears and heartbreak. We all know the pain and sorrow so this is a wonderful place to come and share your story and pain of your beautiful boy. Please share more about Buddy with us and tell us more about his life.
Ann

So sorry for the loss of your dear Buddy. I know the pain you are feeling. It's been 4 weeks since my boy left us.
The people on this site are so warm and comforting.
I come here for support and encouragment and hope you will do the same.
My thoughts are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
Fran

I am so sorry about Buddy. It is such a hard thing to lose our friends, and members of our family. We are all here because we are hurting to so we understand the loss and the blessings. Pamela

I am so sorry that you have lost such a dear friend who has been so much a part of your life for these last ten years. He is such a beautiful boy and I am sure you are missing him so badly.

It comes as such a shock when we realise that our beloved furbaby who we thought was in good health, suddenly becomes ill and dies. There is no time to prepare and it is hard to believe its happened sometimes.

Please know that my thoughts are with you and with all your family in your loss.

Bless dearest Buddy

with love
jilly

Thank you for all the kind words. Part of my original post was written by my oldest son, Jacob. Jacob and Buddy grew up together. Jacob is having a particularly hard time with this. Buddy was a great protector of Jacob and always looked out for him. Once when Jacob was just two he wondered off, my husband was frantic searching for him (I wasn't home). Finally a guy driving by asked my husband if he was looking for a small child and my husband said Yes. The guy went on to explain he found the child a block away and tried to talk to him but a dalmation would not let him come near the child. Buddy did not have a mean bone in his body and we never, ever heard him growl or sound threatening to anyone, but his was protecting his Jacob. There are countless other stories I could tell as I'm sure you all could tell about your own babies. I never imagined it would be so hard. He was so healthy right up until the end. He had been having trouble breathing all weekend so we took him to the vet Monday, I was thinking Pnuemonia or some sort of cold, the vet told us to go immediately to the emergency room. They did x-rays and tests and two hours later they said basically there was nothing they could do. The vet said he had an enlarged valve to his heart and that soon his heart would just quit and he would collapse. At this point Buddy was breathing extremely heavy and he was in distress but despite this he was still loving to us and his tail was still wagging. (he had one mean tail whip) So we decided to just take him home and love him. I stayed up with him all night and he finally stopped breathing at 7am. I still expect to see him around the house, laying on the couch or recliner or our bed, (he refused to lay on the floor, he didn't know he was a dog). Walking past his food bowl is just shear torture but I can't stand to get rid of it either. I keep telling my son that every day will get a little easier but its hard for either one of us to believe it right now.

Dear Buddy's mommy,

I am SO, SO sorry about Buddy
I know the pain is SO intense right now. It just brought tears to my eyes reading your latest post, describing your precious Buddy and his final moments. Our furbabies are so strong, and instinct tells them to hide their illness or any weakness.

My sweet Rachael stayed strong for me, like your Buddy did. We discovered she had cancer that had gone way beyond help. By the time her body slowed WAY down she had already been bleeding internally for some time. We discovered this on a Tuesday evening, and by that Saturday morning, I had to help her go, and end her suffering. It was SUCH a shock to us. Even that morning, she was very alert. She could no longer stand up, but she raised her head to look at us when we entered the room and wagged her tail. Just like Buddy, she was VERY loving and happy, right up until her final breath.

I posted in this forum with the same intense pain as you. I asked if it would EVER get better. I felt like my heart and life went right away with Rachael. I couldn't imagine EVER smiling again or feeling like life was worth living without my Rachael. She had been with me for almost 12 years. However, these wonderful people assured me that one day the pain would be bearable. They were correct. I know that right now it doesn't feel possible, but one day you and your family WILL be able to get through the day without that heart stabbing pain. It's been 4 months now and I still miss Rachael TONS, but I can get through the day without crying now. Only now and then I will have a good cry.

Some things that helped me were writing my feelings in here often. Everyone here knows how you feel and we are all healing ourselves. It gives comfort to read the other postings of how others are getting through the day. I made myself a little memorial for Rachael. I got a shadow box and now display her collar and tags, her tennis ball, a poem made for me with Rainbow Bridge poema nd Rachael's face, etc. At work, I have a wall in my cubicle devoted to her. I have pictures of her and some poems. I got a sticker on my car with her name and dog paws with a halo over them. I think if you make one for Buddy (later, when you are stronger) it will help you feel better too. Then, I just cried and cried for weeks. The tears sting, but they really are healing tears.

Again, I am SO sorry for your loss. Buddy is happy now and free from pain. You gave him a wonderful life! Unfortunately, our furbabies just don't live as long as we do. However, I'm sure you feel like we do...that we wouldn't give up this pain if it means never having them in our lives at all.

My thoughts are with you all!
Cheri

Hi,
I'm so sorry you lost your precious Buddy. I know how hard this must be for your entire family. Sometimes I believe the death of a furbaby is more difficult to accept because they depend on us for everything and love us unconditionally.

How is Jacob? There are some very good resources regarding children and pet grief at the entrance to the site that you might find helpful. I can only imagine how much he is hurting and missing his friend. Please share as much as you'd like with all of us. I know that when we first lost Dieter it really helped to write what I was feeling and the wonderful people at LS will be here for you.
Your in my thoughts and prayers
Libby

Hi there Jacob

I'm so sorry you lost your good friend Buddy. He was a very good dog who loved you soooo much. You gave him such a wonderful home. You were a very, very good brother to him! You and your mom should come here often to share your feelings and to share with us all the happy memories you have of Buddy!! I bet he was a lot of fun! Dalmations like Buddy are the best!! You and your mom take care of eachother, ok??

Love,
Punky's Mommy

I'm so sorry for your loss of sweet Buddy. It sounds like he and your son had a remarkable relationship. I know your son must be taking Buddy's loss very hard.

You're all in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen

Dear Buddy's Mom, Jacob and family,

I am very sorry you lost your sweet Buddy. He was a wonderful dog and friend. LS is the best place to be as you travel this sad road.

You're all in my thoughts.

Lynn