My Best Buddy
It is not very often that you are blessed with a dog that is loyal, obedient, trustworthy, and a best bud like my Buddy. Even though he was my aunt’s dog, Buddy was like a light that shined on my path. I was always overjoyed to see him and his fellow companion, Chelsea. His eyes seemed to never go dull, and a huge doggy smile was always plastered onto his large, furry face. I never imagined him to be dying, or dead, for I never accepted that nothing in life lives forever. It all started last summer, at my grandparents’ cottage.
It was located almost next to Lake Erie, with a path just leading down to that sunny, windy beach. Many dogs passed the residence, tongues lolling out in the humid air. My aunt was here, with Buddy always at her side. Buddy was very protective of her, and would start barking when he couldn’t go where she was. But this time, I do not think Buddy was feeling at his best. It is hard to remember already, but Buddy was supposedly sneezing when he got excited, and sometimes had a hard time breathing through his right nostril. After a few days of worrying, my aunt decided it was time for Buddy to pay a visit to the vet. She soon departed with Buddy, and I kept hoping with all my heart, that Buddy was going to be okay.
About a week later, the results were in, and my aunt had called us about Buddy. The poor animal had cancer which created a tumour in his nose. Apparently, this tumour could happen to any dog or cat. I was heartbroken; there was no medication that was known to cure it, just painkillers. Surgery would take the tumour away, but it would just grow back all over again. I had to resist the urge to cry, and in that horrible moment, I finally did realize that nothing ever does live forever. It made me feel so helpless; I couldn’t really do anything to help him, just treat him the best I could, and ease his pain temporarily.
We all had to accept that Buddy might have his last summer at the cottage, and would probably not survive for Christmas. He would have sneezing fits when he got excited, like when he would go for walks. That would be because he needed to breathe more air, and the tumour sort of blocked one of the passages. Also, mostly at night, the tumour would bleed and make stains on the floor. Suddenly, our whole family started treating Buddy even better than before, knowing that that time might be the last with him. I was quite miserable then, knowing that someday, my Buddy might be taken away from me.
Today, Buddy has passed on to a life where he will not ever be in pain again. All I have left are happy memories, and a few videos, of my loyal friend. This all comes to say that life is short, and you should learn to appreciate and enjoy it one second at a time. I strive to someday own a dog as beautiful, and jubilant as he once was.
The End
Well, what do you know? Buddy survived for longer than Christmas- until the week of February 11, when his nose was so bad and messed up and bloody thsat the final decision for Buddy was made. Apparently, it is a disease that runs in Buddy's family. His sister was put down a week after he was, and possibly also his brother. So Buddy lived up to 10 great years, in which we are so grateful. I have never seen Buddy as a puppy, but we always used to joke about a big-headed puppy (that's my Bud!!).
