Buddy crossed over the rainbow bridge today at 14 years old. His nerve sheath tumor was too aggressive, he lost the ability to walk at all and was in a lot of pain even with meds. Radiation treatment isn’t an ER service and we sadly didn’t make it in time. This morning he couldn’t even sit up and wouldn’t stop crying. I knew it was time. I took him to his favorite park and sat with him in the hatch while he ate a Bojangles biscuit. It’s the best I could do given the can’t walk situation. He loved the smells and never lost his appetite. I could write so much here but the truth of the matter is that words can’t do anything about what Bud and I had justice. I adopted him when he was 3 years old from a shelter. I don’t know his past, but they had pulled him from death row at the pound. How such an amazing creature ended up there I’ll never know. But through some weird fate I saw his picture online and fell in love. I walked him at the shelter and at the end he licked my face. He felt right and felt like home. Since that day I have spent every single day with him for nearly 11 years. Not a 24 hour period went by where he wasn’t with me, even on the surgery days I’d take him in in the morning and pick him up the next day. Every vacation he’d come with me. Every camping trip he was there. We clicked in every way. I have never connected with another living creature like I have connected with Buddy. We did it all. We traveled several east coast states and lived out of my vehicle for a month. We hiked trails to beautiful waterfalls. We scaled mountains. We watched wrestling weekly. We went on walks nearly every day; it was his favorite thing and soon became mine just because it made him so happy. Buddy saw me at my lowest. At my highest. At my happiest. At my saddest. At my healtFriends for Animals--Humane Society of Burke County He was there for me no matter what every step of the way. He was my rock, and I can genuinely say his existence alone saved my life. Thank you to my local shelter for saving Buddy’s life 11 years ago so that I could find my soul dog. Please, I beg you, adopt. Shelters are overcrowded and buying puppies and kittens from breeders is silly. You will find the most amazing dogs and cats ever here. You’ll feel their energy and know which one is right for you. It will feel like home and will change your life for the better. I’m attaching two pictures. The first one is when I adopted Buddy in April 2014 and first got him home. The second one is him at the vet passing over today in 2025. He never lost his smile from the beginning until the end. Below I will share pictures of all the moments in between. Rest in peace Sweet King, Sweet Pea, Bud Bud, Big Bud, Dawg, Budward, Cheese Goose, and any other stupid nick name I am forgetting. I loved you so much and truly would do anything for you to make sure you were safe, healthy and happy. I truly believe you were sent to me by God so that I could become a better man. I now help shelter dogs and network lost pets and it’s all because of you. You will forever be my best friend ever. I will never stop missing you.

@TommyMissel Beautiful duo

@roper_trace He’s beautiful

Today was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It feels like a piece of me is missing. Life just feels hollow now without my soul dog. I don't know when or if I will be back.

@intervention302 I'm sorry for yours too. Stay strong.

He got to eat chocolate in the company of me, the nice nurses and his favorite toy. He died peacefully and happily as I petted him. Thank you all for all the kind words, prayers and love through the screen for Buddy. He really was the best thing that ever happened to me.