When my dad passed away 6 years ago, Buttons came home to live with us. I was so worried how our other dog Casey would accept another dog in the house. The night we brought her home from my dad's house, I slept in the garage with her until morning so that I could slowly introduce Buttons to our dog Casey. They became such great friends. Buttons took the dominant role, as many woman do in a relationship!
My husband and Buttons would play a special game when he would come home from work. He would give her a treat and she would turn her head so that he would twirl the treat around and around. She continually would turn her head away from the treat that she desperately wanted. It was their nightly routine.
She hasn't been feeling well the last few weeks. The last few days she hasn't wanted to eat. I made her chicken and hamburgers to get something into her stomach. The last two days, however, she hasn't wanted to eat anything. I was able to spoon yogurt and pudding into her little mouth to get some calories in her. She was not in any pain. I know that for sure because we would carry her up the stairs to make it easier for her to get from one level of our house to the next. She never yelped or cried to indicate anything was hurting her. We were going to take her to the vet tomorrow, knowing that they would probably tell us to put her to sleep. She's 13 years old. I begged her to not let me have to make that decision.
Last night, when we arrived home from the wedding, I couldn't find her. She wasn't on her beautiful new orthopedic bed in our bedroom. She wasn't on the cool bathroom tile that she love to lay on in my bathroom. She wasn't anywhere in the house.
I went outside, knowing she was somewhere in the backyard. I found my precious Buttons laying peacefully in my flower bed. She died while we were at the wedding. My little Buttons timed it so that she didn't die before the wedding. She didn't make me have to make the decision to put her to sleep. She rested in my flowers and had a peaceful look on her sweet little face.
My husband and youngest brother dug a hole for her in our flower bed. My sister, niece, her boyfriend, my best friend and her daughter all picked a daisy and put it in her grave. I picked additional daisies for my boys and their girls, my mom and dad, our other animals and for my brother and his family. She had a beautiful funeral.
I feel so empty without her. She is the last thing that I have of my dads. Our cat Emily and dog Casey already miss her. Where ever I go in the house, the animals are always right there by my side. When I'm in bed, all three of them are always with me. My husband calls it "Sharon's Arc".
I miss my Buttons so much. I hope that she is with my dad, wagging her tail as they met each other again after many years apart. My heart is torn into little pieces.
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| Buttons loved Christmas morning. |
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| When she slept on her bed, I would always cover her in the winter months so that she was nice and cozy. |
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| She would hide under the tissue paper on Christmas morning! |
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| Buttons loved her bed. Her new bed was even better than this one! |
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| Casey and Buttons were such buddies. He already misses her. He keeps looking around for where she could be. We let him be with us last night when we buried her. Casey needed to understand what was happening. |
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| A happy picture of the dogs in the truck while we were outside one day. |
Buttons, I love you my sweetheart. I miss you so much. My arc will not be the same without you in it. I will envision you now with daddy, wagging your tail, being so happy to be with him again. I will think about the two of you playing the treat game. We loved you being a part of our family for 6 years. We will all miss rubbing your soft ears. Good Bye my Buttons...........
4 comments:
Oh my, Sharon - I checked your blog expecting to sob at seeing a beautiful picture from the wedding. Instead, I find myself sobbing at the loss of Buttons - yes, tears are running down my cheeks. I am so very, very sorry, Sharon. My heart aches for you, as it is obvious from your pictures that you and your family loved and cared for Buttons deeply.
I can't help but think that a very special part of your Dad was left behind in Buttons' heart when your Dad passed several years ago. Through Buttons, your Dad knows the health challenges you have had this year. I've always heard that as our parents get older, they don't want to be a burden on anyone, particularly their children. I think that your Dad knows that the next few weeks and perhaps months are going to be challenging for you, and I feel that he didn't want to burden you further with caring for his precious, and now your precious Buttons. He wanted you to concentrate 100% on yourself and your recovery. I think your Dad's spirit is further evidenced in the place that Buttons chose to let the angels come for him - your beautiful flower garden, a place that Buttons and your Dad knew brought warmth and joy to your heart, and a place that they knew you will visit often and be reminded of them.
It hurts deeply, I know, and there is absolutely nothing that I can say or do to take away your pain, but remember this - though Buttons is gone, you DO have something left of your Dad, and now of Buttons . . . you are blessed with beautiful memories of two lives well-lived . . . and those memories, my dear Sharon, are something that no person or no thing can EVER take from you. Your memories may bring tears now, but in time, the tears will fade and your memories will bring comfort and joy to you as you think back on these two very special beings, and the special place that each holds in your heart.
Praying for your comfort and peace, Sharon, as well as that of your family.
Love,
Kelli
Buttons you were so loved. Thank you for all the happy memories you gave Hank,Sharon, Butch, Bradley, Gregory, Casey and Emily. Rest in peace in your mommy's flower bed. I am sure you are with Mr. Lafferty cuddling together and enjoying hotdogs and sheet cake.
Awww Sharon, My heart goes out to you. What a beautiful tribute to your dear Buttons. What a lucky girl she was to have been loved so deeply by all of you. And... How lucky all of you were to be loved so deeply by her.
I'm so sorry...
Rosemary
Dear Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear about sweet Buttons. I know that I told you my beagle when I was small was named Buttons. I remember when I was at your place and the dogs were barking, you said you were concerned. What a wonderful and heartfelt reminder of your dad-and now he is complete in heaven with his great friend. May memories be your comfort. Alexis lost one of her dogs a few weeks ago and she was inconsolable, for weeks. Dibbs was 8 years old and I always called him a "big 'ol lug"- he would st on my feet and then I could hardly move, which meant I could sit and pet him until the twelth of never. Love and prayers.
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