04/08/2023
This post and the preceding posts over the next week, are to give honor to our first dog, “Buddy“. We had to put Buddy to rest yesterday.
His name was Buddy
Born December 2009 in Adddis Ababa, Ethiopia
Laid to rest August 2nd, 2023 Scottsbluff, NE.
Survived by his canine sisters Belle, Daisy, & Bobbi
Proceeded in death by his best friend Samson.
Buddy was born of Canaan descent, Israeli Shepherd, but not full-blooded. In his early days he served as an exceptional guard dog. He and Kebede, our house guard, would patrol the courtyard in the evenings. He would also, bark at intruders, we had a few, howl at hyenas, and sleep upside down in his dog bed. During the daytime he would chase his ball, lie at my feet while in study, or try to escape to the outside world to run with the big dogs.
His favorite food was always what you're eating, and he loved his ice cream. He loved to sing. Anytime Jervaun would practice her vocals, Buddy would accompany her in howl. His favorite song was “How Great Thou Art”
Buddy was well traveled. His first long journey was to take a plane ride from Ethiopia to LAX. He had his own passport to get through customs. He actually cleared customs faster than we did on our return home from Africa. He loved a ride in the car and to hang his head out the window. Even when I would take long trips, driving, 60 and 70 miles an hour, his head would be out the window, taking it all in the wind. Buddy has visited 15 states. He pretty much rode on the driver side floor of the car in my Toyota Camry on our cross country trip from San Diego to Georgia. He was happiest laying at my feet, whether that was in a car ride or at my desk when I was working.
He did probably have the stinkiest dog breath ever. We tried brushing his teeth, doggy breath, mints. Teeth cleaning, we even bought this dog breath spray that we would rub on his gums. It would last for about an hour, and then the stink breath would be returned.
Well, buddies probably greatest feature was that he was the softest dog in the world. Hence, his page buddy, he’s so soft, Trier. We once were hiking, a Fourteener, and two girls came up to us, said “can we pet your dog”, we responded, yes, and the first words out of their mouth when they pet him was, “he’s so soft”. That was just about everybody’s first three words. He loves to be petted. You could pet him for hours, and then, when you stopped, he would put his paw on your arm, which felt like the weight of 100 pounds, requesting you continue to pet him. He’s probably the most petted dog in the world alongside being the softest. To be continued…