^"I wrote this on Monday about Buddy, a big white longhaired German Shepherd.
Not long after I'd got to know the rescue which I now help out at I had to make the awful decision to say goodbye to my gentle giant of a longhaired white GSD, Shane. Shane had Degenerative Myeleopathy (DM), a terminal condition akin to human's MS, which left his back legs paralyed and would lead from there to any of a variety of problems and then his death. I had to make the decision to say goodbye as his suffering was beyond my ability to help and there was no cure. I was in bits, Shane was all I could ever have dreamed of in a dog.
Buddy's owner was my rock. Despite living miles away she was a frequent comforter with kind words, little tales about Bud. She understood how I felt as Bud, from all I understand, is just like Shane was. She sent me photos of Buddy - I had my virtual furry comforter in him.
Now J is having to make that same awful decision. Buddy is getting old now, he's epileptic and he can no longer walk, being reliant upon being carried or the use of a doggy cart wheelchair - the vet believes that he too may have DM. Buddy's dignity and strength are slipping and there is nothing that the vets, J, I or anyone can do. sad
I'm so so sad for them both, I can't put into words how anguished I am for J and for Buddy."^
Buddy has gone, helped on his way by his vet at home with J by his side. J says "Heaven now has a big white fluffy angel". I can't put into words my feelings of utter sadness for J, her husband and her little girl... and for Buddy, the dog I never met but who I fell in love with all the same.
Run free Buddy darling.