Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Buddy, we hardly knew ye.


IN MEMORIAM
BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO
circa 2006 - January 10, 2017

Mike here, with what will be this blog's final post.

It is with deep sorrow that Jeannie and I announce the passing of Buddy, our wonderful Canine Couch Potato. Crippled by arthritis and hip dysplasia and suffering from a number of chronic medical ailments, he was gently euthanized at home around noon today. He spent his last hours and final moments lying outside on his "blankie," enjoying the warm sunshine of a beautiful day.

We were blessed with almost seven years of Bud's loyal companionship and feel that a gaping hole has been torn in our hearts. In tribute to this amazing stray dog--who in the opinion of some animal rescue experts "might as well be considered feral" and "would never be happy living in a house"--we present strong evidence to the contrary. Here are some of our favorite Kodak moments (with captions as we imagine Buddy would write them):

"Life on the run was not much fun."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"But raw sirloin steak tidbits heal a lot of wounds."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"After weeks of M and J plying me with food and drink, I let their friend Davina put this stupid lasso around my neck. Big deal."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"April 13, 2010 - My first day at home with M and J, where I immediately laid claim to their couch. Didn't even stop to take my leash off. Me--feral? Not very likely!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Lilliann's the nice lady who let M and J trap me in her backyard."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I show Davina the proper way to maim a toy."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Does this bed make my butt look big?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Ahh--a perfect fit!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Our first family portrait, as it appeared in The West Volusia Beacon."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Friends gather to celebrate my new life as a housepet."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"My new digs came with a liveried chauffeur!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

 "On the road again . . ."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Pardon me--was this seat taken?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Whaddya mean your English muffins?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"My favorite yoga position--upward-facing dog!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"A dream is a wish your heart makes . . ."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I'll have the McDouble, plain--and hold the fries."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Thang you--thang you vurra much."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I thought I told them to hold the fries."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Uh-oh, we're walking the plank. I'm gonna drown!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Can we please go back up on dry land now?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Ding-durn it, I said pleeeze!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"This is better, I guess--but not much."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"All that beach combing wears a body out."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"You can call me Corporal Buddy, USMC. Semper fi and Ooh-rah!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I won't wear a silly hat unless I can sit beside a sillier one."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"You say it's my birthday, and we're gonna have a party?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Okay. Bring on the dancing girls!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Awww--nuts! I'm in for it now."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"When you lie down with dogs, sooner or later someone will take your picture."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Look, J--I'm a reindeer!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Central Bark Dog Playground is a great place to celebrate Jenny's birthday."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"What am I supposed to do up here--tap dance?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"How long do I hafta keep smiling?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

The Big HalloWeenie is on the march. Trick or treat!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I guess this makes me and Arlo BFFs. Truth be told, I'll do most anything for a daily head bath."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Fred and Ginger came to visit, and I got to show them around. (Not Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers--the other ones.)"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I like me some flowers. I'm just a big ol' nature boy."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"How many dogs you know look this cool in a Glengarry?"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"Honestly, what is it with me and cats? Say hello, Rocky."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I love helping M with yard work. We take lots of breaks!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"One of M's favorites is called coffee break."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I don't mean to sound rude, but boy, I thought my ears stuck out!"

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

"After our walks, I get a treat on the front porch. This sure beats living rough."

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

Yes, it does, Buddy. And how we wish you had more time to savor it. We love you!

Note: For several years, Buddy and I enjoyed walking from our home down to a footbridge and back, a round-trip of about a mile. Usually we went farther, and often we did it twice a day. But in recent months Bud's infirmities made it hard for him to walk more than a short block or two. On January 7, 2017, to my surprise, he made it all the way to the bridge. But at that point, afraid that if I let him go across and beyond it, he might not be able to walk home, I insisted we turn back. I could tell he was disappointed.

Two days later we made it down there again, and this time I took him across--and we ended up going perhaps a mile-and-a-quarter! This would turn out to be be his final trip across the bridge. I celebrated the event with this photo, adding the rainbow colors for symbolic effect--and because who doesn't like rainbows?! Today he crossed the mythical Rainbow Bridge, and we wish him a happy journey.

BUDDY, CANINE COUCH POTATO

Good dog!


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