He loved food and going for walks, specifically looking for cat poop in the bushes, but most of all, Buddy loved his family. He was a part of our family for over six years. Buddy had hip dysplasia and DM, and the last eight months, his mobility was rapidly becoming debilitating; we knew that it was just a matter of time, and finally, the time
came. I had used Home Pet Euthanasia of Southern California in 2010 for Buddy’s older sister Blackie, and I knew Buddy deserved the same. I wanted Buddy’s last moments to be spent in his house with all the familiar sights, sounds, and smells.
Dr. Meg came to our house on Thursday, March 22. She sat on the floor at Buddy’s spot with our entire family. She explained the procedure with a calmness I appreciated. She also gave us advice on how to help Buddy’s Labrador sister, Bella, deal with the loss as well. She was concerned for all of us.
Buddy was very alert mentally. His mind was full of life. It was just his body failing him. His rear legs that once ran after countless balls and swam in oceans and lakes could not support the life we wanted him to have. Dr. Meg let Buddy smell the things she brought. He was curious. She waited and did not pressure us to hurry. When we were
ready, we told her.
Finally, at 8:33 a.m., our beautiful boy went to Rainbow Bridge. Buddy’s daddy who is a strong military veteran could not contain his grief. As for me, the pain was insufferable, and I yelled in utter anguish when I knew my boy was no longer here. Our house is now empty. Our perfect life is no longer perfect. Before Buddy passed, we prayed as a family. We thanked God because amid this pain, we know how blessed we are that Buddy was ours.
Buddy spent the first five years of his life neglected and unwanted, until he found his family, who wanted and loved him so deeply. He was our boy. Ours. Ours. We would have done anything to prolong his life, because the pain of a life without Buddy is unbearable. However, we had to think of Buddy first. As much we hurt now, we know it is because we loved deeply. Home Pet Euthanasia helped us give Buddy one final gift. We were able to trade his suffering for ours, and Buddy was so worth it.
We love you, Buddy Wade. You will forever be our boy.
Lance and Elizabeth Wade
Fountain Valley