Friday, June 28, 2013

good-bye, Buddy


Buddy passed away yesterday afternoon.

Sal and I are beyond sad... deeply sad.  We loved Buddy so very much, and felt an extra special bond with him after years of helping him fight terrible diseases.  He was a precious member of our family for 16 years.  I feel a void like none I've ever felt.  I can't cope with this, I'm devastated.... 

Arriving home after letting Buddy go, I collapsed on the kitchen floor.  Buddy is everywhere here!  I'm hallucinating... I see him laying over here, walking over there.  I reached to fill his dish at dinnertime.  Such emptiness, loss, pain.... Sal and I are leaning on each other, sharing memories.

Lung X-rays taken while he was in the hospital this week revealed that his cancer had returned.  Another lung tumor, plus tumors had spread to his spine, and were fracturing it.  I was sobbing and Sal had to continue speaking with the vet.  How could this be happening? Cancer was ravaging Buddy's adorable little body.  He was so full of miracles all along, living longer (and better!) than many predicted, but he had no more miracles left in him.  Buddy died in the same hospital where his life was miraculously saved by cancer surgery over 4 years ago.

Actually, Buddy did have one more miracle for us!  Buddy was always so affectionate, giving lots of kisses, especially if he sensed we were upset.  But, in his final months, his kisses waned... he was a tired old man who preferred just to cuddle.  Then, out of nowhere yesterday, shortly before he passed away, he looked at me and Sal and gave each of us 3 kisses !!!!  I can still picture Sal's stunned face!  Such a tender and special memory that Sal and I will CHERISH forever !!!  Buddy was saying good-bye.

One of the ICU veterinarians spent time with us and freely shared her sympathy in Buddy's final hours and moments.  She cried with us... we felt blessed by her compassion on one of the worst days of our lives.

Buddy had several bottles of prescription medicines leftover.  Because they're expensive, I was hoping they could help another animal in need.  In Buddy's memory, I donated his medicines to the hospital, for anyone in financial need with a critically ill animal companion.

Sal and I must turn our attention to Aruba.  She's grieving too, wandering around the house looking for Buddy... it's heartbreaking.  Her fur is soaking wet from my tears.  When we rescued Aruba, Buddy was about 2 years old, and we were unsure how he'd react to a new (canine) member of the family.  But as always, Buddy had a loving spirit!  He welcomed her tenderly, altho he was quite befuddled by her obsession with his toys... she had never seen toys before and went nuts over them!

Thank you for sharing in my grief, for letting me ramble on.  Thank you for all of your love and prayers for Buddy through all of his illnesses.  It meant so very much !!

Good-bye, sweet Buddy.  Please wait for us in Heaven.  I love you !!!!!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

we love you, Buddy!

Sal and I had a very painful visit with Buddy at the hospital last night.  



He's not doing well, and the doctors say he may not come home.  Trying to find a way to cope with this devastating news..... {heartbroken & hoping for a miracle}

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Buddy's (still) in the hospital

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments here at WITW, your emails, texts, and prayers for Buddy.


Although he's still in the ICU, our visit with him last night was encouraging.  He was able to walk around, which was much better than the 'limp' Buddy who was unable to walk when I visited him earlier in the day.


Sadly, the update from his nurse early  this morning was not great.  He's still not eating, his kidneys appear to have a problem, and he spiked a fever overnight.  I'm waiting anxiously for the doctor to call with details/prognosis and then will head up to visit him.  

Hoping to see Buddy recovering and back home with us soon, our sweet angel.  Aruba is looking for him too.....

Monday, June 24, 2013

Buddy's in the hospital

Buddy was admitted to the ICU today, he's not doing well.  :-(


He was limp, dehydrated, his electrolytes all out-of-whack, and some blood values off the charts.  And it all came on pretty suddenly....

Thinking his symptoms might be related to his chronic heart condition, we rushed him to his cardiologist.  She stabilized him a bit and thankfully found no cardiovascular complications, but said he needed to be hospitalized right away.

As in the past, he's in a top-notch, high-tech veterinary facility, with 24/7 expert care.  It's an amazing place, and is where he had lung cancer surgery and care for heart failure.  And it's comforting that I can call anytime, day or night, and get a detailed update on him.  I miss having him at home, caring for him, so this way I can feel connected to him when we're not there visiting.

It has been a sad and hard day.  We're so hoping that Buddy can once again make a strong recovery--- he's known for it!

As always, I appreciate your prayers for our precious Buddy.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wednesday wanderlust

Monday, June 17, 2013

hello, summer!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Wednesday wanderlust

Saturday, June 8, 2013

stencil magic

So excited about this new online class by Heidi Swapp (a.k.a. scrapbooking rock star) !!!


Interested?  You can sign-up at www.heidiswapp.com

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Hello!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wednesday wanderlust

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

because I'm a "travel girl"

So excited that scrapbooker extraordinaire Debby Schuh will be teaching a class with the fab & fun new collection called Travel Girl by October Afternoon!  How cute is this "My Great Adventure" album ?!




I've signed-up to attend the class at Whim-So-Doodle in St. Petersburg later this summer... such a fun store and only 30 minutes from my parents!  So, Sal and I will make a long weekend visit of it too.  Such a bonus that Buddy & Aruba can have more "grandma & grandpa" time!

Something fun to look forward to for sure!  :-)

Monday, June 3, 2013

a soggy week ahead....


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Boston Strong!

Love this T-shirt from my friend in Boston... thanks, Teri !!