Buddy's Farewell

Our dear Bud went missing last Saturday while we were camping with our family at Emigrant Gap. We have not been able to find him or gain any insight as to what may have happened to him. After much searching in the mountains, over the phone, online and driving to shelters, I have laid him to rest in my heart. Bud was nearly 17 years old. He's deaf and almost completely blind. He had severe hip arthritis. He was the world's best hunter. His nose was amazing. I saw him catch a duck & a pheasant in mid air. He was a die hard bird dog!!! He didn't like to fetch sticks or toys. He was happy to just sniff around. He was a very mild mannered dog and couldn't be better with my kids. They loved him so much. They would lay on him and try to ride him. He put up with alot of annoyance between the kids and Magnum(our black lab). I've decided that Buddy knew Bruce could never let him go...so he found a serene spot in his favorite place on earth, the outdoors, and took his last nap... All other possibilities are too cruel for me to think about. I feel guilty that for so long I have tried to convince Bruce this dog was suffering and to put him down and now this. I feel like I wished this on him. Only I never wanted him to go this way. Everyone that knows me knows how much I hate the dog hair in my home and the messes that Buddy has left as of late. But I am a good person and I would never want an animal harmed. So, today I am letting Bud go and wishing him a wonderful life in heaven. I hope he has found a duck pond to rest at eternally!!! Good bye Buddy!!!