Buddy Boy.

I was going to give a recap of my weekend today, but instead will be writing a kind of tribute. I got a call from my best friend (we'll call her Flower) today. She was very upset and I kind of already knew what she was going to tell me before she could say the words. She and her boyfriend (Hubby's best man) had to put their dog, Bud, down this weekend. This upset me a lot- even though I was warned months ago that it might happen this year. I didn't think it wold happen so soon- I don't think Flower did either.

It may seem silly to be so upset about the passing of someone else's dog, but I have good reason:

One day about five years ago (or was it six?) Flower and her boy stopped by my Hubby's house (he was my boyfriend at the time) and I went down to talk to them by their truck. They had something to tell me, but I couldn't tell anyone else. I guess I was the first/one of the few to know and that made me feel special. The thing I couldn't tell was that they were going on a trip that day to pick up a puppy.

Hours later they came back to town with a fuzzy Rottweiler that was so small he almost fit in just one hand and barely spilled over into two hands. He was absolutely adorable and everyone quickly fell in love with him- well, especially me. Flower and I talked about the importance of him being socialized and we agreed that this wouldn't be difficult with our group of friends.

Quickly Bud began to grow and become a friend to all of our friends.

He was there when we went to visit Flower

and her boy's various apartments...He was there when we played card games

into the wee hours of the morning...He was there when the boys played darts...He was brought to outdoor

parties and indoor parties...He was even there the night

of my bachelorette party...

Bud was a part of our little family of friends and he will definitely be missed. I could not stop thinking about my Flower today and how she has to be alone this week because her boy is working out of town. I wish I could teleport up there to give her a hug, but I guess the best I can do is pray she remembers the good times and the happiness Bud brought her and so many others.

We'll all miss you bunches Buddy Boy and hope you are already enjoying your time in the sky with a big bone filled with peanut butter and a field to run and pounce about in like you love to do.