budmemorial

In Loving Memory of Budzo the Hound
1993 - December 23, 2007

I have been blessed to have had a number of good dogs in my life. I have never had a dog, however, that touched so many lives as Budzo did. Here, in tribute to a precious Hound, are comments and some stories about him from those who knew him - in person or through the internet. Thank you all for the love you showed him over the years.

He was a very dear pup and was loved by so many of us. My heart aches for the two of you...

I was "between dogs" when my dear vet called me to come look at a dog. When I arrived at the clinic there was a scared, skinny little hound mix. He was 10 lbs underweight, limping from a leg injury, and scared from an unhappy previous home. I looked in his eyes and knew that he just wanted to love and be loved. Doc gave me the old con job "Just take him for a week's trial." I called him up at the end of the week and told him that the con job worked. I was keeping the Hound, now named Budzo. It took 2 years of work to get him over the fears from his previous life. Thank you, Shirley, for all your help.

Bud and his Auntie Shirley

I'm so sorry to hear about Buddy Boy.
I'm glad that he was at home surrounded by those who loved him best.
He lived the best life a dog could ever want to live while in your loving care.

Bud had learned early that he needed to protect what was his. No chew toy was chewed, they were always hidden. It would drive him crazy trying to find the perfect spot to bury a rawhide bone. No pillow, sofa cushion, or blanket was safe from his efforts. Of course that led to some surprises, usually as we would prepare for bed. We never knew what we would find in our beds after he had been given a toy or a treat.

Sweet Budzo was never just a dog. All of us on the board will miss him greatly. I think I'll always remember Budzo for the pancakes under the pillow ;)

Budzo soon became a fixture on the eBay Q and A board. He even had his own ID and did some selling. It was amazing the number of people who would send a little extra money with their purchase and tell him to get a couple treats with it. When I had enough money saved up we would head to a pet store where he would pick out a new toy or treat. He was like a little kid in a candy store on those days!

I think I can speak for everyone on the board when I say it is like losing one of our own canine family. :( What a precious gift he was and how fortunate you and Mother Dear were to have him in your lives for so many years, not to mention the scores of people whose lives he touched in such a meaningful way. Words cannot adequately express my profound sympathy for you during this time . . . Bart, Shep and Nikki send very sad and subdued tail wags and many sloppy doggie kisses.

Dogs who have had a rough start can so often turn mean. I was so fortunate that Budzo instead turned empathetic. He knew when someone was hurting and would just velcro to them. One time I had to go to the home of an elderly lady who was selling items out of the house each week so that she could keep her blind, bedridden husband in the house one more week. He wanted a dog, she had all she could handle without one. She saw the Hound in the car and asked me to bring him in. I brought him in the old man's room, signaled the Hound, and, knowing exactly what I wanted of him, he jumped on the bed, laid across the old man's chest and snuggled his head under the gentleman's chin. He was petting Bud and crying. The wife was crying. I was crying. Bud just looked at me as if to say "This is what I am supposed to do, Mama."

If Memories Live

It is all one to the dog and all one to you, and nothing is gained and nothing lost -if memory lives.
But there is one best place to bury a dog.
If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call--
come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death and down the well remembered path, and to your side again.
And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl at him, nor resent his coming, for he belongs there.
People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper,
people who may never really have had a dog smile at them,
but you shall know something that is hidden from them and which is well worth remembering.
The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.
"It is all one to the dog and all one to you, and nothing is gained and nothing lost-if memory lives."

Your heart can be comforted in knowing that you gave him loving care those years you've had him. He surely knew how much you loved him and showed you his love. He surely recognized the difference between the life he had been leading and the life and love you gave him.

Bud and his 2 favorite cats, Christopher and Betsysueann Boots

I really enjoyed Budzo when I met him at clutter's house. Such a nice dog, with a great personality :)

Bud loved people, he loved greeting them at our store, people watching in the car at malls, or meeting them at the post office. Of course he always had an eye out for a treat from his friends. He had a regular route around the village and a 2 treat limit. He knew that, too, and would walk to the door once he reached his limit. He also knew who was a softy and would give him an extra treat when I wasn't looking! Some of his special friends who came in the store had alzheimers, another was autistic. Bud could charm them with a snuggle and a slobby doggy kiss, allowing their caregivers to shop while he kept them company.

Budzo was truly an exceptional dog.
He had such character and class and always made me smile.

Budzo would run into the store as soon as he heard the bell ring, indicating a customer had come in. He had a set of tricks that he would do, and would stand in front of the customers until they noticed him and would let him perform. One day a man came in who was just enthralled with Bud. He said to me "I want that dog. Name your price." I told him there was no way Bud was for sale. He said "You don't understand. I want him. Whatever you want for him I will pay it." I told him "You don't understand. I don't care how much money you have. You don't have enough!"

I'm so sorry for your loss. Budzo was a wonderful and loved member of your family. Your memorial page is beautiful and captures all the special attributes that he had and shared with everyone. Please accept my condolences and sympathy to your and your family on his passing.

Budzo loved trains. Each time that we would go to our friend Ellen's for dinner we passed train tracks and he would watch for a train. What a toothy doggy grin when he saw one! Each time he saw one on those trips it was out the passenger side window. One day I had to go in the opposite direction and the Hound was with me. A train came down the tracks and I called to Bud "Look at the train!" He immediately looked out the passenger side window, didn't see one, and looked at me so puzzled. I could not convince him to look out the driver's side where the train was. Yes, I stopped, turned the car around, and let him watch the train on the "proper" side.

My Buddie is gone - on to a wonderful place I know. I loved how he used to come down the stairs - ready for a walk - as soon as I came into the store. He was such a happy doggie and I will miss our walks up the street with people stopping to pet him and give him love. I really believe our precious Sham Blee is welcoming him home. God Bless you both, Love, Auntie Suzanne

Budzo especially loved Christmas. He loved watching the Christmas lights as we drove around our village. His favorite Christmas lights, though, were the display that the Amsterdam NY Marching Rams Band puts on each year. What a magical time it is to drive through the woods where the thousands of lights and scenes are set. We had to go extra slow when the Hound was with us. His little head would be turning from side to side, trying to take it all in. Thank you, band and supporters, for making all of us, even a little hound, so happy.
He also loved opening presents and always knew which ones were his. He would grab one, race to "his" couch and tear the wrappings off. Then he would "show" us his present, but never, never let us take it from him. (Of course, if it was one of those infamous chew toys it might end up under a pillow!)

Christmas Without My Dog
The tree is all trimmed.
The gifts are all wrapped.
The hymns are all sung,
Ant the travel plans mapped.
And still there's a sadness
That lies in your heart,
For a dog that was lost
And a love now apart.
A stocking is missing,
With toys and a treat.
A lap is now empty,
A space at your feet.
Yet remember this season
God's small gift to you,
Wonderful memories
To treasure life through.

Budzo was THE Hound! It was wonderful to know him:)

No words can say how sorry I am. Please try to take comfort from what a wonderful life Budzo had with you, how lucky you were to find each other and how much he was loved.
Never, never, "just" a hound, but a very important member of the family

I so enjoyed the many tales of that fine doggie. I hope you are comforted that so many people beyond Budzo's physical reach were touched by his gentle soul and slobby doggie kisses.

Thank you for Sharing Budzo with us!

I'll always see Buddy walking with you. He never failed to walk up to me and "say hello" and get a pat. I miss him.

I gotta say it's a sad day for this dog lover! I've always enjoyed Budzo's spirit, his humor and his "smarts"! I'll never, ever, forget the time I was lucky enough to have Bud as my Secret Valentine! Talk about a sweet treat! Many hugs to you and Mother Dear--I know the loss is tremendous, the pain deep! May your memories of Budzo always warm your heart!

Buddy was a sweetheart, I will truly miss him coming to greet me when I came in the store.

...I will miss Budzo...

He was truly an angel in a dog suit.

Your Pets In Heaven

by Ken D. Conover

To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat
and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss,
but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives.
My life was fuller because you were there,
not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth.
The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers
and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth.
There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever.
For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Psalm 36:6 "Oh Lord, you preserve both man and beast."