Hi Dear Friends,
I’ve loved animals from the time I was little. In fact, I had more animal friends than kid friends.
They just understood me better and I, them. Much to my Mom’s dismay, I was always rescuing someone. Frogs, cats, inch worms—everyone was welcome in my home. I even made little outfits for them by cutting holes in my baby clothes—another thing she wasn’t too keen on.
My beloved pets helped me through college, heart-breaks, job changes and moves. For me, life just isn’t the same without furry friends. Cut to today. We live on 17 stunning acres in beautiful Woodstock, NY—my sanctuary. When we moved here, I dreamed of rescuing lots of animals. I also dreamed of expanding our human family—but that wasn’t in the cards for us.
Living with a rare, slow-growing stage IV cancer, with no cure or proven treatment options, has had some consequences. But the hardest one has been having to potentially choose between my life and having children.
My oncologist described it like this: “Picture your disease like a rock balancing on top of a mountain. Right now, that rock is stable, not causing you any harm. If something (like pregnancy) were to change that, your rock may start tumbling down the mountain. If that happens, there’s a chance we can catch it. We just don’t know if we can put it back on top of the mountain—where you’re safe. There are just too many unknowns, so think hard before you potentially wake the sleeping giant inside you.”
Now I’m a risk taker but this was too big of a risk for me. And sure, there was adoption, but it’s a lot harder for a stage IV cancer patient like me to qualify as a candidate. Plus to be honest, we just weren’t up for the journey at the time.
So my rock-solid husband and I made the tough decision not to have children. We vowed to live big, fully and out loud to squeeze the most out of the life we did have.
Though our decision was right for us and even healing, it was also the only time I’ve ever felt broken. Fuck you, cancer.
Now as I was processing all this soul-growing stuff, I decided it was the perfect time for a second dog! I was a mama to our gal, Lola, and my aching heart wanted more unconditional love and sloppy kisses. So, I started to petition my man. Though he shares my love for animals, he didn’t exactly have more fur-babies on the brain. In his mind, I traveled too much for work and life was too complicated—bad timing. “It’s not a no, it’s just not a yes right now,” he said.
But I grew up with parents who used that kind of mumbo jumbo on me, and I do not give up easily. So my petition turned into an all-out marketing campaign for our next pooch. A week didn’t go by where I wouldn’t pitch my “top 3 reasons why our new dog would transform our lives.” Complete with infographics, pie charts and analytics.
Finally he relented. Praise God! It felt like Christmas, my birthday and the time the Easter Bunny gave me a training bra in my basket—monumental. We celebrated our glorious decision (AKA my hard-fought win) by going on a long hike on our favorite mountain trail. Naturally, I couldn’t contain my joy, and I expressed it with each strenuous step.
Then the miracle happened.
We rounded a corner and there he was. Our miracle boy. Our Buddy dog. He was emaciated, matted and covered in filth—we fell in love instantly. Through the kindness of strangers, a group of people helped us slowly get Buddy down the mountain. Someone offered a blanket and a nice man gave him part of his sandwich for strength. Brian took off his belt and made a collar and leash and, when that wasn’t enough, he carried him. From that moment forward, it was a collective #gobuddygo rescue effort.
As we quickly learned, Buddy was in bad shape, days away from dying. The vet informed us that he was about 50 pounds underweight and very lucky to be alive. Due to certain clues, we think he either ran away from an abusive situation or was dumped. I scoured the local papers, Facebook posts and lost pet registries, but no one was looking for him. We even went town to town looking for posters and fliers—nothing. (Thank God! We didn’t want to give him back to anyone.)
As we were trying to understand what happened, we learned that Buddy’s breed is often used for hunting and our gentle fella probably wasn’t very skilled. Sadly, it isn’t uncommon for hunters to abandon animals that don’t perform. This isn’t always the case, there are many hunters who love and care for their dogs. It’s just more of an issue with Buddy’s breed than we knew, so we couldn’t rule that out. Especially because he hated guns, thunder and raised voices. Think more Turner Classics and less NRA.
For months, we poured our hearts into helping our new boy heal.
I often joked that his angels instructed him to be at that location on that very day. To look for a yammering blonde and her patient hubby. “She will know what to do. He will do whatever it takes.”
We researched the best diet, supplements and holistic remedies. We even brought in an acupuncturist (until Buddy signaled that needles weren’t his thing by trying to bite the nice man who was thankfully very understanding!).
When the weight wasn’t coming on fast enough for his recovery, we added softball-sized servings of raw ground beef to the mix. Twice weekly, this vegan would head to the butcher in a baseball hat and sunglasses. I even ran into Elizabeth Lesser there once. “Of all the places to bump into you!”. Yeah, tell me about it.
Over time Buddy went from looking downtrodden to totally radiant.
It was amazing to watch his spark come back. His matted coat became shiny and his body functions normalized. But as he was healing, his energy was introverted and cocoon-like. He didn’t like to be touched too much or handled in an unconscious way.
Once, I plopped down on the sofa he was sitting on and unintentionally startled him awake. Well, he snapped at the air like a Great White Shark leaping for a seal. Buddy’s message was clear: “Be mindful around me, especially when I’m in a vulnerable state.”
I can only imagine how scared and alone he felt while starving in the woods. Were there predators? What about all the rain and thunder? Did he think he was going to die? It was traumatic so, naturally, any sudden movement when his defenses were down wasn’t gonna fly. “Got it. Sorry, Buds.”
After a long (mindful!) winter, Buddy totally recovered and then blossomed. His personality slowly emerged and we were delighted to meet the real, funny him. A gentle, goofy giant, who went from being frightened of touch, to moaning for ear noogies and full-body hugs.
When he wasn’t holding court and welcoming visitors as the mayor of the porch, he was on patrol checking the perimeter. Thankfully, six of our acres are fenced and dog-friendly. It was my guess that his nightly missions made us safer (or so he believed).
And boy, could our fella move! We called him a shape-shifter. One minute we were on one side of our football field-sized lawn, the other minute he was on the opposite—until you said the word “cookie”. Then the woods would shake as he suddenly appeared, galloping full-speed toward his treat.
Buddy fell in love with everyone, especially butterflies and small dogs and gentle winds that brought worlds of information to his gigantic schnoz. He even loved his little sister, though it took her a while to return the feelings. I swear that boy taught me more about kindness and resilience than some of the greatest teachers on this planet.
Especially after what came next.
For a while, we thought his gait was weird due to an accident or perhaps an issue from birth. His left leg made these goofy little half-moon circles when he walked, and he often stood like a ballerina (with his back legs in second position). Odd. Hmmm… Though we didn’t think too much of it, we thought we should get it checked out. So we took him to a specialist, and that’s when we learned that Buddy had Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a disease that’s similar to ALS in people.
Like ALS, there’s no cure and the end isn’t easy. Paralysis would work its way through Buddy’s body until he couldn’t move or breathe and there was nothing we could do about it.
Maybe he has 6 months to live, at best. Fuck you, DM!
Then I really knew why he chose us as parents. His angels said, “That one. See her? She’s your new mom and she has a chronic disease, too. She and your new dad will know what to do and they’ll give you the best, longest life possible.”
And that’s exactly what we did.
As Buddy’s disease progressed, he started to lose his ability to fully use his back legs. So we bought a harness and held him up as he walked. At first, he only needed us to stabilize him but over time his backend got heavier and heavier. When we could no longer be his legs for him, we had Buddy fitted for a wheelie cart—which he loved and zoomed around in—often flipping it while chasing squirrels or his little sister.
When his front legs started to go, we got him a super-Cadillac cart that supported both his front and rear (Thank you, Eddie’s Wheels!). Around this time he stopped being able to relieve himself without assistance, so we learned how to express his bladder and his bowels. To say I’d be a good proctologist is an understatement.
We didn’t think it was gross (ok, sometimes we thought it was really gross!) and neither did he. Right before each bowel expression, I’d sing “someone’s knocking on the door, let me in, let me in”. He’d dance. I’d get a poop out. Sorry, I know this is really graphic, describing how I put my gloved finger in our dog’s ass to stimulate a bowel movement, but it’s the truth. And you thought my life was glamorous!
As the months went on, caring for Buddy became a nearly full-time job.
And to be honest, sometimes it was really frustrating, especially in the snow and rain. But it taught us lessons in patience and the values of showing up every day. I stopped traveling for work, cut back on speaking engagements and socialized less (sorry we missed your wedding Kate and Mike, and sorry to so many other friends). But as many of you with pets who are like your children know, there’s no difference between our love for them and other family members. It’s unconditional.
So we carried on. But we also looked for signs from Buddy. Was this the life he wanted to live? The shitty thing about DM is that animals who have it are often still fully themselves, even as their bodies are dying. Even though he was bed-bound, he still took his job as mayor of the porch very seriously. He was still full of life and love and so much personality and possibility—a gentle ambassador for rescues and disabled animals—but his body was failing and his time with us was slowly coming to an end.
I talked to him about dying, and I asked him to signal us when he was ready. I also prayed to God to help us know when it was time. We didn’t want him to suffer or be unhappy. He deserved peace.
I also asked God to let me know if we were being selfish. Were we keeping him around because we couldn’t bear to lose him? Or were we doing what was right and giving him the best life?
I talked to our vet and he said we were doing the right thing and praised our efforts and love. I even invited our dear friend, Kathy, over for her professional opinion. Kathy is the founder of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and I knew she’d tell me the hard truth. This tough and wonderful broad has rescued thousands of animals and she’s also had to compassionately put some of them down when they were suffering. No one knows this journey better than Kathy.
“Girrrrrl, this fella still has a lot of life in him! Keep going, he’s not ready.” Oh what a relief! More days… More months… More precious time with our precious miracle boy…
And then, one day, he was ready.
Though we had some damn good times in those last months, Buddy’s symptoms progressed and he started letting go. I watched as he retreated back to that internal cocoon-like state. Though he still loved our attention and cuddles, his spark was fading. It was time.
On the day Buddy died, I told him that he was about to meet my grandma, grandpa and favorite cat, Crystal. That he’d see Brian’s dad and my biological father, who both loved dogs. Plus, he’d be embraced by so many other angels too, including my Aunt Maria, who jingled when she walked and was a fabulous Flamenco dancer.
I let Buddy know that I’d follow him one day, just not right now. And until we saw each other again, he should run in fields, play like a pup, smell flowers, eat way too many cookies and cuddle with the stars.
That afternoon we made a love fort in the middle of the living room. Our vet came over and so did Buddy’s best friend, Michelle (the therapist who lovingly got into a tank with him several times a week to give him the hydrotherapy treatments that extended his life).
We held Buddy in our arms and told him how much we loved him and right before he passed, he popped his head up and looked straight into my eyes. In that profound moment, I felt his love, gratitude and presence.
Then he peacefully left his body.
Buddy truly was a miracle, our miracle boy.
He lived a year and a half longer than the doctors expected, a year and a half more of joy, life lessons and bringing beauty to the world.
We miss him deeply but feel so blessed for the time we had together. I think our bond grew especially strong because he was so dependent on us. But what I hope he knew is that we were dependent on him, too. He helped me heal a grieving heart. He showed me a greater capacity for love. And he reminded me that life is very precious and all beings deserve a chance to live it.
Miracles come in all shapes and sizes. Little bundles of joy and big, furry hound dogs. Our job is to notice and thank them. The more we do, the more blessings we receive—they just may not always come in the exact form we intended. In the end, loving Buddy was some of the best loving I’ve ever experienced. Yet another blessing.
Thank you to everyone who cheered him on. Thank you for following our #gobuddygo posts on social media and for loving him from afar. Buddy warmed and brightened countless hearts around the world and I know many of you were deeply touched by him. Bless you.
If you’re ready to bring a pet into your life—go for it. And send me pictures! I’d love to see your fur-children. But please rescue. Adopt, don’t shop. And don’t forget the old ones, the banged up ones, the misfits and the rebels—the ones who are often overlooked—they’re the angel babies who will love you the most.
We love you, sweet Buddy boy.
xo,
Beautiful Buddy. How lucky he was to meet you that day. I did not have children so understand how important the love of my dog Lux is. I rescued Lux when he was three. I cried during your story about Buddy. And then I saw how lucky he was and how lucky you were to share all that beautiful love. You must be an extraordinary person.
Thank you so much for those kind words Lynne!
Today I came looking for this post. Less than a week ago I lost my Buddy. I can relate to your story as he was also a rescue and because I am also better because of him.
The emotional dependence is real. Buddy was my soulmate, my teacher, my guide, my best friend, my child.
Now in COVID quarantine I am sitting with the pain. It hurts beyond words and I know you have felt this way too, Kris. I guess the gift of staying home is having been able to spend more time with him although time was never enough.
He agonized all night and only left his body after I held him in my arms. What a gift! Now my broken heart is doing its best to honor Buddy by continue to do what was worked for me ever since I joined your CSY program back in 09/2016: eating healthy vegan food, hydrating, praying, sleeping, slowing down, cutting down on caffeine and basically loving myself every day.
I hope our Buddies have met and are spending time together. God bless ????????????
I am sending you so much love and healing energy, Diana. It’s never, ever easy but hopefully knowing our Buddies are looking out over us gives you some comfort. Take care, sweetheart, and be very gentle with yourself right now. You’re doing all the right things. Xo.
Good Morning Dear Kris,
Yes, the love for and by a dog is like no other!
What a blessing to have loved deeper and wider and to have been loved by Buddy!
SEQUOIA, was put into my life when i was in CA, traveling to NM.
She has OPENED me and my heart and my love for her is like no other love i have ever known.
Through her, i repeatedly find my COMPASSION for motherhood growing exponentially.
I find how inextricably linked we are. She wasn’t eating her breakfast and i am burping, clearing energy!
I live in the Berkshires of Western, MA.
What a journey to
find a Vet who speaks my language.
Often, it is my friend Linda, an animal communicator (Look Whose Talking) or Audrey, who does Reiki or Lori, who removed the sound/trauma from her ear who TRULY support me in caring and LOVING Sequoia.
She has communicated to Linda: “I AM THAT I AM,” along with a namaste above her head! Who is this BEING?! Clearly, an angel in disguise! An Avatar, an ascended master, and a saint…. who roamed the neighborhood yesterday as the front door didn’t close!
That all said, I wonder if you have a. vet who you adore?!!! One who knows of Light and energy and Magic! I thought since you have crossed my path, to ask, for I welcome having such a name in my tool kit!
Wishing you and your family, fur and ALL, a life of love,
play and adventure!
With a happy tale,
Rosalind
How beautiful, what a lovely story! Buddy knew the right people to get to! there is nothing about you that doesn’t inspire me! I have a dog sitter that comes over once a day while I am at work and is worth twice her weight in gold! Both my dogs are rescues and people laugh at me scrambling eggs for my 13-year-old toothless Chihuahua, the “Diva Doll”, Piper, who has her own Sherpa Blankie. Tigger is Man of The House…all 17 pounds of him. He is my little empath, giving me snuggles when I am sad, capering around and making me laugh. How can you not just love them with all your heart!
When I first got my cat Sushi, nicknamed Mama, she was a stray cat along with her brother. A family friend of mine was looking to see if anyone would take them in. She said she had brought them to the shelter, but if they did not find a home they would be euthanized. I had lost my cat Luna after she was hit by a car a few months back before getting Mama, so we felt ready to get a new cat. Mama was around 2 years old when we got her. She was found not in the best of shape, skinny and knotted fur, but after a few months, she was like a new cat. Knowing I helped a cat survive and helping her feel loved, makes me feel great, which is why when getting any pet, you should adopt instead of going to a breeder. The feeling it brings when getting a new addition to your family and giving her a home where she can feel loved and happy for the rest of her life is extraordinary..
Animals are brought to shelters for many reasons: either the owners are moving, can’t afford them, don’t want them anymore, or because they come from a bad background of abuse. A lot of animals have to go to the shelters, and there isn’t a whole lot of space for them. To make space, the shelter has to euthanize them even though they are in good health. I believe in giving a animal another chance at finding happiness, so adopting from a shelter to me is the best choice.
Adopting a new pet is a big step. When getting a pet you need to take a lot of things into consideration. One thing is the kind of environment you live in. Do you live in a small apartment or big house with a big gated yard? If you like in a small house with a tiny backyard with no fence, you most likely would want a cat or a small non energetic dog, such as a pug for example. If you are active and have a lot of outdoor and indoor space, then a dog like a pitbull or husky is perfect for you. When getting an animal you must look at your environment to make sure it can handle the energy and size of your pet. In summary, you should open your heart and adopt your pet from a shelter and get the amazing feeling of giving someone a second chance in life.
Lovely Kris Carr. I believe you to be a Soul Sister / Kindred Spirit / Guardian Angel.
About four years ago at the time of my melanoma diagnosis I went searching for someone, a young woman like me who was taking charge of her lifestyle as a cancer survivor. I found you. More recently I signed up to follow a cute little page called Dodo on Facebook after repeatedly seeing aninal stories that melted my heart. I found this page connected to you. And today, a week after making the hardest decision of my life to lay my beloved Cocker Spaniel Mel to rest, I search again for comfort and understanding and for the third time I am blessed to find the story I am reading is yours. Thank you beautiful woman for weaving in and out of my world. You are a gift to Buddy and all other beings. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with beautiful Buddy. I’m so very sorry for your loss ❤️
oh boy … thank you for sharing Kris … what a beautiful soul buddy xxxxxxxx I cried … sending love to you and through the ethers to Buddy xxxx
Chris you give us all hope. With all the hard things in this world what you and Brian did was an act of great Love. Your buddy is so happy with You in these pictures. I can tell that he didn’t think anything was wrong because he loves you. We are touched by these selfless spirits and it leaves us in awe. He was so worth loving and fighting for and he will be family for ever. I couldn’t of walked away either.
Great Buddy
He is now in ny heart too – deeply inside.
Thank you for this story Kriss.
Thanks for what you do and give….
big hug❤️
Not sure how long ago that this happened, but it brought tears to my eyes–all of it. Such a mixed blessing. What a blessing you all were to each other. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Kris, I would have to get back to your post, I couldn’t read it all, too sad and heart breaking. I admire you for having the strength to sit down and write all this, I am sure it was tough to relive in words what your journey with Buddy was. I’ve followed Buddy’s journey and yours too, and I know that there was so much love all over. You are an inspiration in all different levels. Thank you for sharing and letting us into your life and specially allowing us to get to know Buddy. Lots of love to you and Buddy angel.
Bendiciones! <3
Oh wow. Crying. You are a special soul.
This article made me cry. I have a dog that I rescued and I love him so much – he’s my family. Thanks so much for sharing xxx
Kris,
I love you. I am a writer, and I love the way your write. You inspire, challenge, and bring so much joy to me and to those with whom I share your musings. My rescued babies are the dearest beings in my life. So close, so tender, they are what no one else in one’s life can be. The passing of my 16 yr old schnauzer, also called Buddy thanks to my youngest son when he was little and wanted a bosom friend, was among the most precious chapters of my life. I love your Buddy, and he will never be forgotten. You are such a blessing. Warm hugs and kind thoughts and peace, Micki
Your Buddy is chasing rainbows with my girl Marnie.
Thank you for your beautiful story!
Also, in learning of your health situation- please check out Chris beat cancer.com & stories of other people who beat cancer.
Do you ever have a moment where your soul gets excited as you are doing something? It feels like the angels gather just to watch the unwrapping because it was meant to be? Karma. Everything Happens for A Reason. Preordained. I was meant to land on your website today.
I am a member of a Facebook cookbook group, and mentioned that I just had surgery for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, and will start 6 months of chemo and radiation this coming Tuesday. Other members of this group (whom I don’t know) offered advice and support. One lady suggested your cookbook. Being a crazy, sexy person myself I googled and landed on your page. As soon as I read about Buddy, I knew I was meant to be here. I volunteer for a Dog Rescue organization to help homeless dogs, so your story – and Buddy’s – resonated with my heart. I’m so very thankful he found you. Rescue dogs are the best.
Annie, my Husky x, was a very young and very pregnant stray dog who lived in Northern Ontario. She was saved from dying and brought into our rescue for the best care we could give her before the puppies arrived. While I wasn’t her foster mom, I met her because she stopped eating and knowing I cooked for my dog, the rescue asked if I could cook for Annie. I did, we met, she ate and we fell in love. She came home with me a month later once she was fully recovered and vetted. Annie has not left my side. She has cuddled and licked my tears through heartbreak and now … cancer. Rescue dogs give back so much. Buddy knew how much you loved him, and he loved you back.
My body has been telling me to go vegan for months now … so I am off to read your story and to order books!
Thank you!
Dear Kris: One of my beautiful dogs died yesterday…I think deep down I already knew it was going to happen and that’s why I read your email until today. I cried with every word you wrote. As Buddy, you are also an angel. How cool is that? Thank you for sharing this with us. I love you.
Kris, I can fully understand. I had to let my 13 1/2 german shepherd cross over the rainbow bridge, just last summer. The LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL & my baby is now running & playing too. I had awakened in am & he had a stroke that paralyzed him completely. Prior to that we found relief for him with cold laser therapy & injections infrequently of hyloric acids. This h estill had quality of life & love of life, when the day came that we took that ride to the vet, he just looked into my eyes, my husband held him around his heart/chest & WE never til the end lost eye contact. He’ll be waiting for me to help me cross over the Rainbow bridge one day. Kris, May GOD Bless You & all who understand, Love, Cyn
He was truly a gorgeous boy. Poor fellow to be left alone in the woods, but thankfully you found each other. It is heart stopping to lose a beloved companion and I hope comfort reaches you from every direction.
Buddy endured unmentionable hardships in his life, but he was ultimately blessed by meeting the family of his dreams who provided him with unconditional love and support. I, too, have lost fur babies..in my opinion, far too early in their lives. So I know the great heartbreak that accompanies their loss. Just like you, I am grateful that they were a part of my life and know they will forever be in my heart and memories. I’m so sorry for your loss. You and Buddy will be in my heart and prayers.
Sorry for your loss. I lost a dog this past summer and it is difficult.
Your loving Buddy touched my heart. I too, seem to be most wed to animals in this life. I love my pup Luna who I rescued three years ago. I hope one day to be able to rescue another dog when the situation and time is right.
I had a good sweet cry as I read your story as it opened my heart this morning. I know only pure joy will flow into it as I do my morning meditation…..I know Buddy will be there lapping my soul’s face, saying, “Go for it Lou, only love will come to you!” That’s what Buddy knew.
Bless you that he knew goodness with you as a family xx
*HUGS* I’ve been here. All the love is worth it, isn’t it? Blessings on you and your husband.
What a moving story about Buddy, I shed a few tears- memories of pets I have loved and lost over the years I still think of them bless them and ask the Angels to let them know how I valued their life. I now have a cat Rosie who gets told each day how much she is loved and thanked for living and sharing her life with me. The cat from next door Atticus a neutered ginger male spends most of his time with me much to Rosie’s annoyance, and I value his friendship too. Life would not be the same with out a furry friend. I believe it is good Feng Shui to have an animal in the house.
Dear Sweet Kris,
thank you for sharing these intimate moments with Buddy, and with us. You once again encouraged tears and laughter to flow freely from me and I am grateful. I’m deeply sorry for your, and your husbands loss. Peace to you both, and to Buddy Boy… Much love, Kate
Thank you for this note. I’ve been following you for years and wondered your thoughts on babies and if it was a choice. I , now just turning 40 have been going through years( 4) of awful tests to determine what is going on. Bone marrow biopsies body scans nurses scaring the shit out of me. It seems like we are on to something, an auto immune blood disorder ( with ugly ugly drugs to help) I pray they work. So long story short we too have not been able to conceive and were also given the direction to not and it’s been an awful sad reality. BUT I want to live. My pup is my life she has saved me. My husband is strong and supportive but I find it easier to talk and hug my Penny 🙂 she always senses whenI have to go for more tests and dr appointments and makes me feel okay. Thank you for your honestly, I am sorry for your loss and the decisions you have to make. You are adored and thank you . Love from Canada xo
Hi dear Kris, and everyone else who is reading this.
I thought it could be healing for you to hear the story of what happened with one of my dogs, so for the first time i will share it publicly.
When i was 19 there was a little dog of only 5 weeks up for adoption. His breed was quite special, and not planned at all. His mom was a small dog of only 8 kilos, his father a breed close to buddy´s. His mom didn’t survive giving birth, and now this tiny little one was in need of a new home who could give him all the care he needed. A week later we went to visit him, and there was an instant connection. The same day we took him home. Since i struggled with my health, i was home with him every day. He got older and stronger, i got weaker and weaker. On the days i was bed bound, my boyfriend would take care of the walks, but my dog would not leave me. He would stay in bed with me, his head lying on the places i had pain. Luckily i found medicine that made me better, and on good days we always had long walks in the forrest, running on the fields, and playing inside. Since i always where home with him, we got a strong and special bond.
But as he got older i new something wasn’t right with him, and when he was 3 years old he got diagnosed with a disease that is the same as schizophrenia. This made him scared of everything, and really protective of me. It got worse and worse until we had no choice but to put him down. It was the worst day in my life, and the hardest decision i have ever made. It felt like i was letting go of my child, but there was nothing else i could do for him.
When we left the vet, with his collar in my hand and tears streaming down my face, i heard a voice of a young boy. It was the clearest thing, and i looked around to see who it could be. No one there. But this voice kept saying “mommy, I’m still here. What are you crying for, I’m here”. Over the next day we kept getting signs from him. My boyfriend said to me ” He will come back to us, i just know. If we decide to get a new dog, it will be him, just in different “wrapping””.
And after a while we where ready to take on a new fury friend. One lady close to us had a dog who where pregnant, but the didn’t know how far along she was. We decided if she where to have a boy, we would have him.
The weeks went a long and we still didn’t know when the puppy´s would come, just an approximately date. One night i was lying in bed reading, and i felt something moving around me. A shadow went by me, as to get my attention. I looked around, and there was that voice again. Now he was saying “I just wanted to visit you one last time mom, because tomorrow I’m gonna be born”. I asked him if he could give me more specifics and he said he would arrive five in the morning.
The next day, 8 in the morning i got a phone call saying the puppy where born. I asked the lady if they where born at 5, and she jumped “how did you know?!” Two boys and two girls where born that morning.
A few days later the lady called me again. One of the boys had died because of illness, and she had two families that wanted a boy, but now only one boy to give away. My heart jumped! “but” she told me ” I dont know why, but i feel like he is meant for you”. 9 weeks later we went to pick him up. The lady told me that the dog already had some strange habits, one of them was pressing his nose into his blanket, the wall, his sisters or whatever was closes to him, overtime he was going to sleep. My last dog, had this exactly weird habit as well.
I know this story might sound crazy and like i am exaggerating, but i promise you, every word is true. When i looked into that puppy eyes, we recognize each other. I could feel that special bond.
When we arrived home, the first thing my new dog did was run to the bedroom and jump into the dog bed. We had quite a big apparent then, so he had to run trough both the hallway and the kitchen to get to the bedroom. The bed that was there, was the same as my late dog had. My little puppy pushed his nose into the blanket, and fell right asleep.
My baby was home.
Thank you for reading my story, i hope this brings you hope and love<3
Thank you for all your beautiful, wonderful love dearest Kris, you make this world a better place ? So much love to you ? And may your pain at letting Buddy go start to ease… you know he is shining and never far away… my gorgeous pooch passed away a few weeks ago … she was 10 and amazing to the very last minute as we held her and said goodbye … just 3 weeks after holding my darling father and bidding him farewell as he passed on… so sad and so missed … the pain and heartache is huge … but love and peace are bigger ???
What a beautiful and heart warming experience. I felt like I knew Buddy as you were describing him.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story, Kris. Buddy was certainly a special bright light, and yet you both were his angels too. Yes, a true miracle that you found each other and that you could walk with him, paw in hand, through his final chapter in this life. Somehow, just by being who they are, animals teach and heal us – aren’t they amazing 🙂 My dear rescued dog Dakota taught me so much, both about life and death, and I will forever be grateful that he graced my life for a precious and too-short 16 years. I hope Buddy inspires many people to give a rescued animal a second chance at a happy new life, filled with love and compassion and healing. Wishing you and your family peace and healing of your hearts.
Go Buddy go ❤
xo
Wow. Thank you for being so open to share such a great story. Buddy looks so joyful in all of his photos…it was such a pleasure to read your tribute as I too am vegan and have rescued some twenty unadoptable animals.
This story truly moved me as my 20 year old cat,my best friend, passed on just recently. I used an animal communicator to see what she wanted. She wanted to pass naturally, at home. Against the wishes of so many people who wanted me to put her out of her misery, I decided to honor her wishes.
For six weeks we were on a arduous adventure. I was afraid but I am so glad now that I trusted my divine intuition.
I, like you, expressed the bladder, hand fed her, bathed her, etc. etc. and I was so fatigued, and so often wondered if I was doing what was best. I was told by the communicator that she was not in her body, not suffering. I trusted.
She passed when she was ready. As painful as it was to let her go, I fully witnessed a beautiful, peaceful passing.
I am so glad I did what I did. Those six weeks were hard but she was happy and we grew closer.
I know you did the right thing too. It is just so nice to see other people are out there that share a similar perspective towards animals.
Thank you. Blessings, L. Wills
I felt heartbroken and at the same time full of love when I finished reading your tribute. This is what pets do to us. Thank you for sharing! You did an awesome job with Buddy and I am a firm believer in the rainbow bridge. We will see each other again!
We are all connected, all life, all spirits. You understand this. Thank you for enlightening and inspiring others. My first rescue dog, Rex, taught me that love transcends all species … and he made me the vegan that I am today.
There is a wonderful piece called “Rainbow Bridge” … it might be already in one of these posts, but if you haven’t seen it yet, take a read. It’s beautiful.
God bless you Kris!
Thank you for this beautiful story. I am a vetinarian who practises holistic therapies, including the dreaded acupuncture! I have helped many of our four footed companions slip gently into the next world and I never cease to be humbled by their dignity and the lessons and love that they bring us in life. We currently share our life with three terriers, all rescue dogs, all hugely loved. Thank you Kris for sharing Buddy and I wish you much love and peace.
Oh I love that Kris. It sounds like you did alot for Buddy. I’m sure he’s as greatful as you seem to have had him in your life. That’s such a beautiful post. I remember your posting about him when he got his new wheels. ?? What a wonderful and thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing with the world. I’m sorry for your loss. You’re absolutely right. Animals become family. You’re an amazing person.
Namaste
Angela
I hated and loved this at the same time. I recently lost my rescue, a Beagle. I adopted him on February 17, 2007 and he passed away on February 15, 2017 very unexpectedly from a ruptured tumor on his spleen. There was no indication of a problem until it was too late. To say I am in shock is an understatement. I never knew I would grieve so hard for a pet, especially growing up with dogs. But, my beagle, he was my first dog on my own – a single individual woman. He was my best friend and saved me from myself. Your story made me smile but I was so sad to hear about Buddy’s passing. What a soul you have and you inspire me to find the strength and courage to again, one day soon, rescue another hound (hopefully a Beagle). Thank you.
Jump back in the saddle and rescue soon … I’m speaking from experience … I am on my 4th rescue dog! They’re all different but they all love so deeply. Wishing you peace.
I loved your story, I have tears in my eyes. I am so glad you found him and he had a happy life! If you have a special picture of him along with the story, I love painting pet portraits and would love to paint him for you. You can send the picture attached to my email. Have a wonderful day!
Oh Kris, I joined many others in reading your profound tribute with tears rolling down my cheeks early in the morning before the rest of the family got up. Having lost our furry family member several years ago I know how deeply she has left her paw prints in my heart. My children ADORE you and especially love watching videos about Buddy’s story and they noticed how beautiful dogs (perhaps Buddy) appear in the Crazy Sexy Love Note cards. In case you haven’t heard about it yet, a gift that truly helped us is a Sark-like book called Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant which allowed us to visualize our animal friend in just the right happy place. We hope it may help you find comfort too. Sending sincere support, Christine
Ok, I’m crying:( We lost our dog Oreo from bladder cancer. I’ll post a picture…. She had to wear diapers at the end, but she rocked-em lol… She was a rescue and the best dog we ever had. You have some constitution Kris. Your amazing. I’m so sorry about Buddy.
I have purchased 4 of your Crazy Sexy Love Notes to give away as gifts. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for the meditation videos too.
Love and light to you, Brian and Buddy.
Such beautiful words Kris, I am bawling my eyes out! These four-legged people we share our lives with are such special souls. Much love to you and yours xx
Thank you for your beautiful tribute, Kris. I’ve been rooting for him and loving him from afar since that first post when you brought him home. I was so happy that you found each other and very sad when his illness was discovered but thought how lucky he was to have you and Brian to care for him and keep his life as happy and normal as possible. I hope he will get to play with my dogs Sir and Winnie and my cat, Chip who were well loved rescues too and I miss every day. Sending lots of love to you and your family.
What a heart warming story. Animals do bring so much joy and love into our lives. They are unconditional. We lost our girl Sheeba to cancer which i think could of possibly been prolonged but i didn’t want her to feel any more pain. It’s been 5 years and we haven’t replaced her as we haven’t had a calling i don’t think. We fostered 2 cats and ended up keeping them and my husband said i couldn’t foster any more as i’d never let any of them go. We don’t live on a large property so for now our 3 cats and 2 chooks will have to do but i have been searching for a new girl to come into our lives.
Holy mother of God. I can’t even. Tears everywhere. I’ve so love following your journey together. THANK YOU for including us. Love you! xx
I cried. Tried not to sitting in my car reading this after a manicure. But I knew. I knew something was wrong Kris because you’ve been different lately. You retreated and I could feel it. You retreated to give yourself to buddy. Rightfully so. You’re a good mom. (Can I be your fur baby some lifetime?). Giving you a spirit hug from San Diego. You’ve got an extra angel in the stars now. And what a job he’ll do for you! Love and blessings beautiful.
What a beautiful and inspirational story! You are such a great “mama”………….you truly have a gift to be shared.
Hi Kris, I’m in tears. You and your hubby are very loving and strong people. It’s not easy to let go. I feel with you. Buddy was a golden soul, as are you. Blessings.
Thanks for flushing out my tear ducts this morning! So sorry for your loss. What an amazing mama and daddy you both were to Buddy. God bless you for all the amazing work you do in so many ways!
Oh Kris i was so touched by your story of your gorgeous baby boy Buddy. Tears are streaming down my face as I type. I totally understand how much you loved him. How lucky you all were to connect. Yes there was definitely Angel intervention on that day. How much he taught you. You wrote such a beautiful story that I felt every moment the highs and the lows. I too want another puppy as we said goodbye to our last old boy a few years back. I think i need to take a leaf out of your book and start petitioning for a new furry friend to join our family. When my last puppy passed I use a service called Pets at Peace here in Sydney. They provide an amazing service. I have 4 of my pets ashes that will one day be joined with my ashes. Thats my death diary wish. I loved them all so much. Thankyou for sharing your story. I love your site. Your an amazing lady and i wish you all the very best. Take care.
If love could have saved Buddy, he would have lived forever. Bless you for rescusing and loving your sweet Buddy boy, and for giving him such a beautiful life. My heart aches for you and your loss. I lost my sweet Olive girl almost 2 years ago to cancer. She was the doggie love of my life and my best friend for 11 years. We have a house full now, all three dogs adopted from local rescue groups. I hope you will open your beautiful heart to another lucky pup again when you’re ready. It has helped my heart so much. Sending you love, hugs and peace.
Oh gosh, this touches my heart like you cannot imagine. We lost our 10-year-old “baby” right before Thanksgiving 2016, in a freak accident where she was hit by the mailman. Long story, but we live in a rural area with almost no cars, and it was just a case of several unfortunate events colliding. We are still heart-broken over the loss of our scruffy Border collie mix that we adopted from Tijuana, Mexico. I haven’t posted anything about it on social media because I still can’t seem to accept the finality of it. I continue to feel her spirit in our home, and keep waiting for her to greet us. Our pets represent the best human qualities — always forgiving, kind, loving, playful, silly, willing. We can learn so much from them. And really…is there anything better than those soulful eyes looking up at you? Thank you for your story and your sweet, loving care of Buddy. We are all so lucky to have shared a life with these special beings. And wishing you band-aids & hugs for your broken heart…I know how it feels. XO
Major tear jerker! Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful, inspiring story! Look at all the love and light Buddy brought to the world. Thanks to you, he was able to share it.
We’ve adopted all of our pets also. #AdoptDontShop. #PayItForward.
omg, Kris … tears (happy … sad) … my husband and I have had rescue dogs over the years … and have gone through hip-dysplasia … kidney’s shutting down (due to someone putting out food with auto anti-freeze mixed in) … cancer … I have always seen that last look in their eyes before their beautiful souls left their earth bound bodies … all the while I have been yelling fuck you MS for over 30 years … thank you for such a wonderful story … and thank you for sharing your beautiful soul !!!
Thank you Kris! What a beautiful & moving tribute to your fur baby! Tears flowed reading the love oozing in each carefully chosen word.
We lost our “princess” Sophie on Monday. She had only been with us two years. She was a small dog. Shi “Tui 7years old when we took her. Her Mom had to go into a seniors apartment. No pets. When we met ,she said hi to Ted-e our maulteese,then jumped up on my husbands lap and went to sleep.
She too sick two weeks ago, but it was her time and she knew.
I am crying as I write, so I shall say good bye
Kris, I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful Buddy. He was blessed to have you as his mom. They come into our lives and stay way to short a time but leave an indelible pawprint on our heart. Buddy looks like a Walker Coonhound to me. I have a beautiful rescue Walker myself. Like Buddy, loud noises freak her out. So I suspect, as you did about Buddy, that a hunter dumped her. His loss, my sweet gain. I’ve always thought that Miss Rose coming into my life was just a meant to be. That her guardian angels and mine made certain we were in the right place at the right time to connect much as Buddy’s and yours did for you. Amazing what those gentle paws from Heaven can create. We are blessed to be able to share the kissies and snuggles with our furry friends and thankfully we are left with wonderful memories. May your heart heal and your memories be good ones.
Kris, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I couldn’t fight back the wave of sadness and tears as I read your tribute to him. Both my girls are rescues and every night I hold them extra tight unable to imagine the day when my arms will be empty. I’ve experienced the lost of a fur baby before, and it feels like they take a peace of your soul with them they go. I pray that buddy is running and playing with all the others that left us too soon. Sending you lots of love, I hope that you find some comfort during this difficult time. xo David
Thank you so much for sharing this. It came on the four month anniversary of me saying goodbye to my 15-1/2 year old baby dog. My story is different but I can identify with the intense pain and sense of loss that you no doubt feel. Buddy’s final look into your eyes will stay with you forever. Bless you, your husband and others who gave this dog love and the ultimate care. You are special people.
I am so sorry for your loss, and so joyous for all you gained by sharing Buddy’s life. So happy to see you encourage your readers to adopt, especially the older and unwanted ones. And I totally relate to the vegan in a butcher shop story. I’ve been the vegetarian in the meat section looking for something, anything when one of my cats or dogs has been sick.
I cried and cried last night reading this before bed. I was so emotional thinking all of the love Buddy received. And how doggies have human angels that take care of them. I rescued a cat and she passed away two years ago. The sadness and grief over a pet, is an unique experience that only animal lovers understand. I think pets give such unconditional love without requiring anything in return. God bless you Kris and your hubby for loving the beautiful soul that was Buddy. We all fell in love with him and rooted him on and missed him when the posts came to a stop. I told my husband what happened and he doesn’t follow you but knew Buddy because I always showed him the pics of Buddy and his progress and recovery.
I know Buddy is in a better place this blessing us. I never met him in person but I felt his presence through social media, HE DEF WAS A MIRACLE and inspired us all!
Holy moly. What a wonderful love story. I’m so glad you shared with us all.
Wiping away tears so I can type…..my little furry guy knew I had cancer before anyone else did. He went from sleeping with our daughter to throwing himself against our bedroom door each night with such persistence that my husband had no choice but to let him sleep at my feet. He walked slowly with me when I was gaining back my strength and never even complained when I went vegan :). I’m still trying to figure out how I can make him my personal service dog. I think when you are given a shitty diagnosis (stage 4 lung cancer with 4 non-fur babies at home) you should automatically be able to take your little buddy with you everywhere. Although, he is so protective of me that he is nasty to everyone else, so it prob wouldn’t be a good idea, lol. Anyway, I’m sure Buddy’s back legs are now allowing him to run through meadows bigger than your 16 acres, Kris! XO
Made the mistake of reading this at work, with the tears flowing. Thank you for sharing, I know this was hard for you, but what a tribute to Buddy. He was so grateful to you and your husband, taking him in and letting him live like a king and then looking after him as you did, many people would have given up sooner. Bless you
I am so sorry for your loss but conversely, so happy for the time and learning you had with Buddy. Animals truly are our teachers, we only need to remain open to receive their messages. Love and Hugs.
Such a good boy! So sorry for that pain of loss. We are lucky to live 20 minutes from Eddie’s Wheels and they are wonderful people. We needed them for our boy Oscar and his sore hips. I’m so glad Buddy took to his wheels so well. These animals and their resilience….sigh.
As I sit here crying my eyes out, I look at my 3 rescues laying on the couch. I’ve always had a dog and in our married life it was no different. My limit is 2 months without a dog in the house. So, 2 months after losing our 14 yo shih tzu, I was ready. My husband asked, “When I’m gone are you going to marry again in 2 months?” I said absolutely not, but I’ll always have a dog. My husband passed in 2009, I was in the process of adopting Maggie. She is my best friend. I adopted 2 more, 1 each year following. Unconditional love. Thanks for sharing Buddy’s story. You are amazing.
Dear Kris, there are no words; just a lot of tears. I can relate to you through out your whole story. I too am a animal lover who would bring them home and dress them up in my doll outfits. ? I too, drove my mom crazy. My fur baby, Walter is my baby. I can’t have children due to my illness and I can’t adopt either. I like to tell people that Walter saved me! He is my therapy dog. He is not a certified therapy dog but he is my therapy. When Walter chose me, I truly believe they choose you, I was still pretty sick. My husband wasn’t convinced we should get a dog. But I knew in my heart it was time. At that time I could barely get out of bed or get out of my chair. I didn’t leave the house much or even eat, I wAs in so much pain everyday. In came goofy, loving, intuitive Walter. Walter brought me back to life. Everyday he would lie on me and gently lay where the pain was the worst. He got me out of bed every morning and out of my chair. Walter made the pain not seem so bad or my illness. It’s been almost 4 yrs and he still does that. He still makes sure I get out of bed and when I’m in pain he will lay gently on where I hurt. He is my angel. It’s amazing how they just know. Yes, Walter has a great home but it’s us that are blessed to have him. He has made my life better in every way. One day with Walter would have been a blessing than to not have him at all. I’m so so so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing, i can’t imagine how hard it was to share this. But it touched me in a way I can’t explain. You showed Buddy the deepest kind of love, unconditional. That’s is something he will never forget. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story about Buddy and the bonds of love.
RIP Buddy, you can now run and jump and eat as many cookies as your want, you beautiful sweet strong loving angel ?….
I am the proud owner of an adopted Coonhound that looks exactly like your Buddy. This story really touched my heart. God bless you.
how wonderful that sweet Buddy found you to love and cherish him for his short journey here on earth. You will hold him again – for all Eternity
Dear Kris my heart goes out to you and your family for your loss. I was particularly glad to see that I was not the only one to struggle with the questions about the right time to let my Benji go (he was suffering from cancer) and in the end he told me that he was tired fighting and it was time to let him go. I sometimes think he might have held on longer because of us. I still miss him terribly but we have adopted another, older rescue dog from our local shelter and although my Benji can never be replaced it was lovely to have another furbaby in the house again. Wishing you comfort in the knowledge that at least he ended his life in the heart of a family where he was not only looked after and taken care of but also truly loved. The saddest thing would have been for him to have passed away alone in the mountains thinking that he was not worthy of love and kindness.
Thank you so much for sharing Buddy’s story, Kris. I love animals with all my heart. I’m an artist who paints the relationships in nature, or the unity of all life. I also have a day job, working for Morris Animal Foundation which was founded in 1948 by Dr. Mark Morris, a veterinarian. MAF is little known, but does great work for dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife around the world. Dr. Morris helped a pup named Buddy, too. Buddy, a seeing eye dog, had kidney disease and Dr. Morris developed the first nutritional food in his kitchen with his wife, Louise. This food helped Buddy and the formula later became Hills Prescription Diets which funded the beginning of the Buddy Foundation, and later became Morris Animal Foundation. Your story of love and care inspired me to share the story of Morris Animal Foundation! MAF is also conducting an observational study for dogs to discover more about cancer and other diseases that affect our four-legged fur babies. It’s called the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, similar to the Framingham Heart Study for people. If you’re interested, the website for this project is caninelifetimehealth.org. We’re the only organization that focuses on animal health for the benefit of animals. How cool is that! Thanks for all you do, Kris! A big hug, Rebecca
Thank you so much for this story. Very beautiful and inspiring. I just want to say you are my favorite person that I don’t know personally. Thank you for all you do.
Patricia
Oh Kris, how blessed you were to have sweet Buddy in your life and how very very very blessed Buddy was to have found you. I am in tears reading this beautiful tribute while my little rescue pup is curled up in my lap. Sending you so much love.
Dear Kris,
So Sorry for your loss, I lost my rescue dog Scout, 4 years ago she was my third child and best friend, who I had the honor to be with for more than 14 years. I realized after some time that her death affected me so much more as time went by…I was depressed, yet not ready for another pet. It took me 4 years to open myself up to another furry little angel. I am now the proud mom of Oliver! My little tuxedo kitten that I rescued from a local shelter, and he rescued me!
Many warm hugs to you, Brian and everyone who loved Buddy. I’ve lost too many wonderful dogs but my heart is much bigger and more dogheart for having loved, and been loved, by them. One of my favorite dog books is by Suzanne Clothier. She talks about the loss beautifully. “Our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, us insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.”
Bones Would Rain from the Sky.
Maybe Buddy will get to meet Bear, Niki, Raina, Argos, and Goose. Godspeed, Buddy.
I am so sorry for your loss Kris! Buddy’s life was blessed by your loving heart!
Thank you Kris for sharing this warm and loving story of Buddy, your hound dog. While only being a cat owner over the last 25 years since living in apartments, I love all animals. I currently have 3 cats with the craziest black cat named Ninja. He’s 6.5 lbs. of crazy, doing his #2’s on the floor. Yes, we sacrifice for our pets and yet Ninja is so very loving, especially face nuzzling on the couch while I watch tv. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
Lovely Kris, what a beautiful tribute. I am in awe of your heart, compassion, courage, and generosity. What a blessed encounter with a furry soulmate. Thank you for sharing. I am moved to tears, cuddling with my beloved rescue Fizz. We send you and yours loads of love and light.
What a beautiful story Kris! Thank you for this. I love all animals too. Have 4 cats, and will get a dog one day soon. Now if I could only find a rock-solid husband!
What a beautiful story Kris! Thank you for this. I love all animals too. Have 4 cats, and will get a dog one day soon. Now if I could only find a rick-solid husband!
Thank you for sharing your journey and love for Buddy. It’s a wonderful and inspiring story and tribute to your beautiful boy. I have a 20 year old kitty, Miranda, and I cherish every day with her. The unconditional love and joy we reap from our relationship with our furry children is unlike any other joy! God bless you for giving Buddy a happy life and ending.
Thank you for sharing this deeply personal tribute to Buddy. My condolences on his passing. Recently I’ve been getting many signs that it’s time to welcome a pet into my life. Thank you for the reminder that I’ll know the right pet when it comes and that the right opportunity will present itself. It takes the pressure off and allows the miracle to occur.
Much Love,
Kathy
What a grand life you gave him…rest in peace and joy Buddy….adoption and rescue are the gift we give to ourselves as well as the spirited animals that become family. I recently lost a lot…my mom and my kids…one to death and the other to family differences, but it is a huge hole to fill. Fortunately I have Moose…my rescued Main Coon cat who is my companion and connection to love and teaches me to roll up my sleeves and keep going. He was left by an individual who took her own life for unknown reasones. The police took him to a shelter and I walked out with all 17lbs of furry love…the best friend and family! My heart goes out to you as you grieve…there will be others to care for…and in the end I see the sticker and am reminded…’who rescued who?’
I didn’t think I could love you anymore Kris. I’m also a dog mom, our first was a big Bassett hound now a mini dachshund. I also let Louie my Bassett tell me when he was ready, I really thought no one else would get that. Bless your heart, what a sweet Buddy and sweet mom you were for him.
Beautiful Kris, this is such a powerful story. I don’t think anyone who reads it won’t be moved to tears. Thank you so much for sharing xx
You have a special furry angel looking down on you. Sending you much love, sweet girl.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful soul.
Dear Kris,
Anne Lamott wrote-
“I do not fully understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
Buddy’s story has touched me deeply from the beginning. Thank you for sharing it and for sharing your heart which is as wide as the world. Many blessings and beautiful memories as you, your husband and Lola carry on your gorgeous tradition of love. I gave my two rescue dogs, Mike and Scout, extra love tonight in honor of Buddy.
with a ton of gratitude,
Dawn
From the heart of a mama of another “Buddy” to yours, love & light to fill the loss. ❤❤❤ I adopted my chunker when he was slated to be euthanized because he was “fear-aggressive” and his hind legs non-responsive -probably due to having been hit by a car or more abuse. I too dedicated myself fully to healing him -and myself on the way- by being present, having patience, compassion, and love. Stopped traveling, adjusted my work schedule, and routines in order to prioritize him. It took us close to a year of loving him 24/7 to reassure him there would never be anymore pain and to bring the real him out. Today, he is the happiest, funniest chunker I’ve known and my heart is not only fully healed, but immensely bigger thanks to his love and presence. Bless your #Buddy and you and the hubby for not givingup. #gobuddygo
Oh dear, Kris and Brian I am so very sorry for your loss of this wonderful animal and soul that graced your lives. Buddy was such a sweet and special dog and I loved watching his progression to his fullest and happiest self through your care and love. He was lucky to be your boy and you were lucky to have him. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. XOXO
I was just thinking about Buddy yesterday and had a feeling that he had moved on to another realm. What a powerful tribute to him. Thank you so much for sharing your love for him with us. I’ve enjoyed being part of his life through your posts. He was such a sweet guy. RIP sweet Buddy boy!
Lovely story. I appreciate your frank sharing, unplugging poo and all. : ) Hugs to you and your hubby.F
Dear Kris,
I cried as I read your story as I also lost a dear K-9 friend, Beethoven to the same disease. He was a abnormally LARGE greyhound and was so big he couldn’t race and flex in the spine like greys do when they run. He was a clown, a goof, my friend and the best ever. In the end he was getting electrial stimulation to relax his muscles which were turning against him. I would give him body massages to try to relax the muscles but if he was in too much pain he would wake me in the night – I would get up no matter what time and give him rescue meds and a massage util he fell asleep. My cutofff was if he woke me 3 nights in a row. When that day came it was terrible but I couldn’t watch him be in pain any longer. And like you I was trying to stay healthy with my own chronic disease ( Lyme) and dealing with my own pain and discomfort. Saying goodbye was not easy but he told me it was time. Bless you and your husband for giving Buddy such a wonderful life. Spirit sees when there is a dog void and one will find you as Spirit knows you are an excellent dog guradian. Hugs to you and Buddy from Helen and Beethoven.
Thank you for your inspiring story. It’s full of love, just like you are, and it reaches me (and so many others) and touches my heart, and then spreads out more, and comes full circle back to you a thousandfold! You are a blessing, and I love you.
So sorry for your loss, Kris. Beautiful story and beautifully written. Buddy was so blessed to have such a loving mom!
I know what it is like to loose a pet, (my children) and it is the hardest thing I ever had to do. I had more tears for my animals passing than I did for the relatives that passed. There is such a special bond and they give us more unconditional love then we could ever dream of giving them. My cats and dogs were practically the only love that I felt growing up. Reading Buddy’s story brought the ugly cry on but my heart goes out to you and your family. God bless you, yours and of course Buddy!
Oh sweet Kris…how I know this pain and joy, as so many of your followers do. All my pets have been rescues of a sort or another and NONE of them went on their own. The decision is the hardest part of the relationship. My first was a Coonhound/Beagle that had congestive heart failure. The next was a rescue with only 3 legs. She was only around for 8 months and I wondered WHY?
My decision is this…she and all of these rescues need to know love. Even if only for one moment, a few moments or many, many moments. They just need to know love before they move on.
Buddy knew such love from you. Know that. He did.
What a beautiful story from a beautiful lady. I am like you, I was unable to have children because of a chronic illness so I am a fur mama too. I had Comet a lab/spaniel mix for 11 years, then my husband and I rescued Buddy from a shelter. He had an umbilical hernia which is why he wasn’t being adopted but that didn’t stop. We love him to pieces- he is my baby for sure.
Such a beautiful story ❤❤❤❤
It was so caring of you to rescue buddy and make his remaining days happy, where he new love and passed his his loved ones instead of alone and scared.
Oh my gosh Kris, this is so beautiful. You two were meant for each other and this story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing Buddy’s journey!
I don’t think I have ever read a more touching and beautiful story. I can barely see the screen from the tears in my eyes. I am so happy you and Buddy found each other. I have been missing my dog Ted so badly lately and my husband has been putting the ixnay on another dog. I love my man, but he’s being a turd. Ted was a beautiful and very funny border collie whose whole butt would shake when he wagged his tail which is what I asked God for when I prayed. I still have my funny Fred, but I miss Ted something fierce and it is not going away after over a year later. Kris, thank you for sharing this incredible story. I think you are one of the most remarkable people on the planet. Much love, Lori
Oh my dear Kris, I am crying from reading your words, and I can feel your love pouring out through this page. Sending you all my love and knowing Buddy is smiling down on you. You are truly an angel and now you have another angel up above looking over you.
Beautiful!
you are such a pair of angels – Buddy was so lucky, and vice versa xxx
that furry children love I totally 100% understand = thank you for sharingxxx
What a beautiful story. The love in your heart for Buddy exudes in this article. Thanks so much for sharing. So lucky for both of you to find each other. And to touch each others lives in such an incredible way.
As I sit here drenched in tears, all I can think about is how lucky Buddy was to be surrounded by so much love and compassion. What a beautiful tribute you gave his life by sharing your story. I’m so sorry for your loss. I too had to send my sweet pug Zoe to the stars, and it was the most painful experience I think I’ve ever been through. I see her now in the dandelions, butterflies and rainbows that stop in for a short time and always leave me with a smile. Thank you and sending hugs.
What an amazing story, Kris! It made me laugh, it made me cry but mostly it warmed my heart. How beautifully written were your words. The true blessing for Buddy was to fall into the hands of 2 very special people. Two, who possessed this amazing unconditional love, sense of compassion and profound desire to give Buddy this amazing life for the time he was here on earth. Now his spirit will live on in all the stories you share as time moves forward. I can picture him scampering about up there in heaven, smiling down. Thank you for sending this along! God bless you, Brian, Buddy and his little sister.
Such a truly beautiful love story. I am so very sorry for your loss. Your words have touched my heart, thank you for sharing them. Thank you and your husband for being such special people. Buddy will be greatly missed. Sending you so much love.
Dear Kris, I am so sorry about Buddy…and so grateful he found you and your husband. One of my friends is convinced that even though we don’t know what “the plan” is, it involves animals choosing us to live life to the fullest. You done good, kid. 🙂
Thanks for your radiant love of animals Kris! I was the same way as a kid & on up to now–always wanting to be around animals & petitioning for them. I didn’t get any until I was an adult & bought a home with a yard. Then I overcompensated & had lots! I’ve adopted several rescued blind dogs, whom I agree with you, are the ones who will love you most! They’re angels, I believe–all animals.
Kris, I hardly have words.
Just feel filled with love and awestruck.
I am so sorry for the loss of Buddy. I cried as I read your blog. I understand how painful it is to loss a beloved animal companion. I have had to say good-bye to a number of cats over the years and each time I agonized if I was being selfish keeping them alive when I should be saying it was a life well lived.
All of my cats have been rescues of one sort or another and both of my dogs were adopted from the local animal shelter.
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved Buddy.
Kris….thank you so very much for this one!Animals,the dear-sweet animals,have always taken me around the Grieving Curve more than anyone/anything.It’s such an amazing gifted grace as they take us into the far corners of our hearts that no one else can.So yes,I know your Buddy experience well.I am presently in a difficult,dark place within late stage HPA-D and am supposed to be bedfast most of the day…but that’s too depressing so I squeeze what life I can from each precious day.Right now,there’s nothing more I’d desire than having a wonderful animal heart to share with…and you sure get that one.I have three rascally outdoor ”wild cats” but can’t presently have them spayed/neutered.So,this old house is beyond empty without a cat or dog to love now.So instead,I love all those that I pass and I love your amazing dog Buddy. Today,your beautiful story brought some of the final tears I seemed too weak to release.You and Buddy were such a Great Gift to me(..and I’m sure to many others.) I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! Buddy will definitely live on the brightest windowsills of our hearts forever! Again…thank you and Buddy for sharing your wide,wonderful and vulnerably courageous hearts! Rob
I’m very sorry for your loss. ?
Thank you for sharing your story. I am deeply touched. I’m so grateful you and Brian found Buddy and did all you could do to help him enjoy the happy life he deserved. Like you I have no human children, but I have been privileged to love 5 dogs in the last 23 years, 1 who is still with us. We lost our Ellie 16 months ago. She was a 3 legged rescue Chihuahua who constantly amazed me with her strength and spunk. She never missed her leg and went about her life living it to the fullest. I enjoyed reading your blogs about Buddy. My Heart goes out to you and Brian. Sending you all love and light.
My sweet Maggie could have been Buddy’s sister, long legged and beautiful mix of beagle and foxhound. We adopted her from SPCA at 12 weeks old. She was my constant companion. She died in November at 13. My fiance died in Nov. 2005 after a fight with cancer, he was 49, died the day before his birthday. Maggie helped me make it through the grief and now to lose her too, its very hard. I wanted to post her picture so you could see how much she resembled Buddy.
I have already rescued a few animals but one of my sponsored doggies at the shelter where I volunteer recently died of lymphoma, the same devil that killed my dad.
Here’s my tribute to him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VScjp_KRUoU&t=2s
I’m also fostering dogs lately, right now I’m fostering a sharpei and akita mix who was living on the streets and the last weekend went completely deaf.
I guess now we both have to learn sign language.
This tribute of Buddy made me cry. <3
Just crying uncontrollably… we love you, Kris, and the world is brighter and more compassionate for having you in it. (I had to make the same decision as you about children… and adoption… for a similar reason, and I’ve been feeling extra-broken lately for some reason. I needed this message right now, so I don’t feel as much like a misfit toy.)
I don’t know what to say. Its just that: I feel you.
Dear Kris,
I am so sorry to hear of Buddy’s passing. I knew you had a dog wth DM and I would follow anything you wrote about him or looking at pictures of him. I too have a dog with DM. Her name is Daisy and she is a 13 year old Border Collie. I cried while reading your story about Buddy’s last days. Daisy’s story parallels Buddy’s exactly.
She has now lost the use of her front legs and I have bought a doggie stroller to take her on long walks each day. Her spirit is still so good and she eats well. Yes, I have to do as you did, taking her out for potty duty. I too, have asked the vet when I will know when Daisy has had enough. I often wonder if I am keeping her because I can’t bear to let her go but her vet she isn’t there yet. I took her to water therapy until her front legs gave out. I still take her to accupuncture.
What you wrote about Buddy is the same for Daisy. I know the end result and I am trying like hell to brace myself for it, if that is possible. Thank you for writing this tribute to your puppy and know that way over here in the state of New Mexico, there is someone experiencing the same situation with her little dog Daisy.
Hugs and blessings,
Judi
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve had to say goodbye to many furry friends/children. It hurts like Hell. You were his Guardian Angel and meant to show him true love and kindness he hadn’t had before. Thank God for that. I love how you support animal rescue because all of my pets have come from rescue situations. Thank you for this story.
Oh goodness, I cried with you reading all of this, I can’t even imagine how you managed to write so beautifully and so much! Thank you for this: “infographics, pie charts and analytics”, it kept me smiling through the tears xxxx
Kris, I have so loved hearing your buddy stories and this is such a beautiful tribute. I cry with you in the loss of such a beloved family member and send love to you and Brian and Buddy Beyond. xo
Beautifully written!! Buddy did his job, and you touched our hearts through him!
Such a beautiful post. I’m sitting in my car sobbing with tears. Thank you for sharing your journey. So sweet and full of love. I had wondered if something happened to your furry baby when gobuddygo stopped. Wishing you peace and time to heal as well as fond memories and smiles with your buddy.
I understand how you feel about being healthy, and also understand the desire to help animals but I just cannot understand the use of such vulgar profanity! Please explain. It is extremely difficult to read your articles about health when you express yourself with such bad language, what’s up with that? And it is offensive to me.
I absolutely love you Kris Carr! Of course I’m sitting here at my desk in tears but I do not regret reading this beautiful blog post. Buddy was so lucky to find you and your husband and you in turn were so blessed to his mommy! You are an absolute inspiration in so many ways. I am reading your book and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Fuck you cancer 🙂 I am also a huge animal lover and dog rescuer and I volunteer for a dog rescue in Pennsylvania. I am mostly vegetarian (still eat fish). You are my hero xoxoxo
I’m so sorry for your loss Kris! What a beautiful tribute to your Buddy! I recently lost my dog Sadie and feel your pain! Our furbabies are the most special babies!! What a beautiful tribute…brought tears to my eyes! What truly wonderful parents you were to him! You are a blessing to so many but especially to Buddy! I’m so glad you got to meet each other and both share that love ❤️ peace to you and your husband!
What a beautiful tribute to your furbaby. I am very sorry for your loss. I did rescue (hello foster fail) and I ended up adopting 2 over the age of 12….they were able to give us love for several more good years and it was tough to say goodbye. I also want to thank you for your positive vibes. I saw your special on TLC long ago and was really interested in your story. That was way before I found out I had breast cancer and had to go through chemo and radiation to get the all clear. I thought about you some during and while I did not try all of the things you have (totally not a vegan) I really did feel like I could think of your positivity and carry on! Again this is a beautiful tribute.
Well, if I can type through my leaking eyes……..such a heart warming and wrenching story. We live in the country, currently have 5 dogs, all from either being abandoned or no longer wanted by their owners, and everyone knows we can’t say no. So it was quite a blessing to read this. And I know first hand how hard it is to say goodbye. Now that all of that being said….you are an incredible real life story teller and writer. Bless you, God has not only given you an enormous love, but also an incredible gift.
Kris,
Thank you for writing this! I have tears streaming down my face. Our sweet 13.5 yr. old Buster, who is a tripod and uses a wheel chair is nearing the end. He has also taught us so much about resilience and unconditional love. They truly are blessings! My heart goes out to you and your husband at this difficult time. You are truly an inspiration and gift to so many people! Xoxo
Kris and family, Thank you so much for your honest and love-filled sharing about your darling Buddy. My heart and hugs are sent with this to you all. We recently said a reluctant good bye to our family dog – Abel who was 14 and had been bred as a gundog but not “Able”, but super able to love and be loved. Years of loving memories will make it easier with time and even when sadness does come in waves, a happy memory and smile will never be far behind. He was such a big happy smiley dog. Much, Much Love to you and yours. xxx
Cried the whole time reading, I’ve been through it several times. A loving final gift that is always the hardest gift to give; we end their pain but create our own. Thank you for sharing.
Such a beautiful post – had me in tears. I remember losing my dog, Romeo, who was the love of my life and will always be in my heart. Thank you for sharing and for reminding me how special pets are and how we can make a difference in the life of another being. <3 God bless Buddy!!
Thank you Kris for this even though it might have been hard to write about. I was one of many here who loved Buddy through the internet. My family feeds and takes care of many stray animals and has for years. I believe for real that their spirit lives on in some form when they leave us. May God’s best angels continue to look after you.
You are such a beautiful soul. Thank you so much for sharing your love for Buddy with us. He had the best mamma in the world.
Dear Kris,
Dear Kris, Thank you for your story about Buddy. I’ve been meaning to write to you and ask if you had any work on grief because I just lost my beautiful, loving friend of almost 20 years – Izzy, in February. Like you, we did everything we could for our girl, asking the same questions, trying not to see her decline, hoping for more time together. She had advanced kidney disease, which is pretty common for cats of her age. Finally, we all realized it was time to help her cross over so she wouldn’t have to suffer any more. OMG, my grief is astounding. I miss her so much. Can you tell me how you moved into the emotional place you are now? Life without my beautiful girl is so hard. Thank you
Oh my, I am sobbing. I recently went through this (for the 2nd time in less than a year). It’s difficult to say good-bye. I believe soul mates come in all shapes and sizes, including animals! They teach us about life and love and most of all presence. Every moment we have with them is a gift. Thank you for sharing this story. We will be getting another when the time is right. I trust that we will be divinely guided to our next little companion. Sending you love and Reiki healing during this difficult time.
?? it just reminded me of my 16 year old Valentina, she did exactly what Buddy did, on her last breath she looked straight to my eyes, we had some good years. So sorry for your lost.
Oh Kris my heart breaks for you. Our fur babies are our children and it hurts just as much when we lose them. Sending you lots of love and light and healing energies ox
Oh Kris! I am so sorry to hear of Buddy’s transition and sending you so much love! What a wonderful life you all had together and Buddy most definitely picked the right parents. I am in tears reading this, with a bursting heart – full of love and grief of losing our own fur baby #TroyTheSpottyRescue dog earlier this year. What angel dogs they are.
I resonate with so much of what you’ve shared here – we also had to nurse our baby in his last year but I wouldn’t change a moment and am so grateful he lived to the grand age of 15, after many adventures with us from age 6 and that he made his transition with us by his side, peacefully, with a biscuit still in his mouth.
Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with Buddy, which always made me smile and for this tribute, which will be a comfort to so many, as we share in our love and grief for our fur babies. So much love to you both and of course Buddy – run free gorgeous boy xx
Lovely story. Love for animals are a very special thing. They are so trusting and loving of people and aren’t afraid to show it. I’m sorry you have lost Buddy, but you probably have had a richer live for having him in your life. It is amazing how God or whatever higher power there is provides what we need when we need it. I too have a pet, a lovely kitty, who just appeared one day when I needed extra loving. I hope you getting through your loss and decide to add another addition to your family when you are ready. I send much hope and love to you all.
Thank you for your awesomeness, Kris. You have a genuine heart of love. Thank you so much for the kindness you showed to Buddy. He was one very lucky guy to find such a total extra mile person…and you were undoubtedly lucky to find a friend who will now live forever in your heart. May your path continue to be lined with others of all kinds who need that extra sprinkle of magical “Kris Pixie Dust.” With gratitude and appreciation… Shawn
Gaaah! This is why I love you! Thank you for sharing Buddy’s journey with us. Had a hard time reading my screen right around the time you found him in the woods, my eyes were all watery?
You really are an angel Kris. Your compassion and boundless love is so inspiring xx
I sobbed like a baby. What a beautiful love story!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story, your loss. I remember when you first shared the story of Buddy and how my heart was sad for what had happen to him and then being lifted up by the love and care you gave him. Thank you for taking him in and loving him as a family member. You are a true inspiration
Thank you for sharing your story, your loss. I remember when you first shared the story of Buddy and how my heart was sad for what had happen to him and then being lifted up by the love and care you gave him. Thank you for taking him in and loving him as a family member.
oh, kris, so many tears. thank you for putting this beautiful story to words. big hug for you.
I have followed buddy’s story from day one. So glad you found each other. So sorry for your loss.
Kris,
Your letter is beautiful, touching and so full of love. I cried in sadness for your pain but happiness also filled my heart that you are here to share your love with all of life. May we all follow your path.
Gilda
<3
First, I am so sorry for your loss. Buddy was obviously your dog soul mate(yes I believe in that!) Your story made me pull out the Kleenex while having my morning coffee. What a beautiful life you guys gave Buddy. Dogs touch our souls in ways we could never imagine. We lost our sweet boy 2 months ago. I am certain he’s already met Buddy & they are romping & playing together. Thanks so much for sharing Buddy’s story. ❤️
That was nothing short of beautiful. Thank you so much.
Oh Kris..what a beautiful remembrance of your special Buddy–the pics enhanced your tribute–he was such a handsome guy….I sobbed. I suspected something happened with him when I read a recent post of yours–about a difficult year. I’ve lost several furry friends of my own over the years and it’s always been a heartwrenching experience for me. Please allow me to say how sorry I am for your loss. I know it is profound. Buddy and you were exceptionally fortunate to have discovered each other. All of you with so much love and caring to exchange. I will hold you all in my heart and hope for brighter days soon.
I cried tears of happiness and sadness while reading this. I have two rescue dogs who give me so much joy and happiness.
They weren’t puppies when I rescued them and both came from abusive situations. It took time and a lot of love to gain their trust but it has been worth it. They are the best Dogs and they are living the life every animal deserves to live.
Thank you for promoting adoption. Adopt! Don’t shop!
So sorry for your loss! You are right that animals are healers, and I’m glad Buddy was able to do that for you and Brian. Rest in Peace Buddy XOXOXO
What a beautiful tribute. I’m in tears because you lost your baby boy and I know all to well what you’ve been through. Our home is a revolving door of rescues; some unwanted, some old and we were truly hospice for them to feel love in the end and others young enough to enjoy for a few years. Right now we have three; 2 Golden Retrievers and a German Shepard. The love we exchange with our pets is overwhelming at times, so fulfilling and therapeutic. How can we love a pup sooo much? But we do, and they love us too and there’s something about a rescue – they appreciate us – we can see it in their eyes. I admire you Kris, your journey, your husband, how you approach life, your challenges and how you live your life. Bless you and your husband and RIP beautiful Buddy Boy. xoxo
Kris,
What a beautiful tribute to Buddy! I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I cried like a baby! I could feel the love! You have such a gift! You continue to be a huge inspiration! I met you in Pasadena at the I Can Do It Conference (“Peace and Veggies!”) a few years ago. I hope you still consider adopting more fur babies and even maybe a baby after all. I heard the same thing about adoption when I was diagnosed from other ladies. Who’s to say when it will be our time? Even the best doctors don’t know. Maybe look into private adoption? You would be an incredible mother that would make such a huge impact on a child’s life no matter how little or long they had you in their life. And your track record is pretty damn good! Everyone sometimes forgets that tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone…..not just Stage 4 gals. I say do it!! Wishing you the best always and continued health!
Hi Kris, My heart breaks for your loss, but smiles for all the joy I can hear in your tribute. I have two fur babies – both rescues from the local animal shelter. My Maddy we have had for 8 1/2 years – she was a stray so we don’t know her exact age – but she is 9ish now. My Herby has been with us since August of 2013 and was a little over 4 when we found him…his 8th birthday is in May this year. My husband and I have three children between us – all grown – so our fur babies get all of our attention and love and spoiling. Maddy is starting to get cataracts and Herby has seizures but I would not give them up for the world! They have to tell me when they are ready to go – and I will do everything in my power to give them the very best life they can have until that day. But the mere thought of losing either of my FBs makes me tear up; I am sorry for your loss.
May God bless you.
Yes, all my animals have been rescues. Thank you for all you do for so many!!??
What a wonderful tribute to Buddy. My heart is too full to write anymore.
Oh geez I read this wonderful, beautiful, sad post on the bus to work. Had tears leaking onto my cheeks. I am so happy that Buddy found you. You are right the Angels had their had in brining you and your husband to that spot tp rescue Buddy. They knew he deserved you and you deserved him. Thank you for being you snd sharing this story.
I never knew Buddy but I feel like I do now. Go Buddy! Get that ball wherever you are 🙂 Peace to you and Brian…
Beautiful…. thank you.
God Bless You Kris! You are a good soul. I have always felt a connection with animals and have rescued them all my life. One of my dogs I found in a dumpster in LA, someone threw her in there as she was old, starving and thin as a rail. Another dog I rescued from the projects who was used as bait for pit bull practice. I’ve reported animal abuse and received death threats so bad that I had to move. I wouldn’t change a thing though as I love animals so much. It is nice to meet a kindred spirit. I feel God brought you and Buddy together. I feel great sadness at your loss. Your words brought me to tears as I know you must have loved Buddy very much. I am holding you, your hubby and Buddy in my heart.
This is so beautiful. And sad. And real. Sending love and blessings your way.
What a beautiful and inspirational love story. Animals are so precious. We recently adopted 2 kittens from a local rescue group. Their mom was feral and they were on their way to being so before the wonderful rescue group stepped in and got them. Its been a long road to becoming fully socialized, but today, you would never guess they were almost feral. They are complete love bugs and are a true blessing to us.
What a wonderful expression of love for such a precious life, Kris. Although I feel so sad for you losing such a loved one I wanted to say thanks for reminding me to spread the love and appreciation that can so often remain within. Love to you
Oh, I’m crying over here. This a beautiful story about a very special boy….and his very special humans. Thank you for sharing each and every detail. I just said goodbye to my own pup on February 13, almost a year after saying goodbye to my dad. Our pets are pure magic. Big hugs and lots of love coming your way.
If only the world was filled with people like you Kris. We would have no war and would live with such full hearts. Thank you for being SUCH an inspiration and for reminding us all how poignant love really is. Much love & extremely ‘well’ wishes to you xx
#gobuddygo #thankyou
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. I’ve loved seeing updates about Buddy and have been wondering how he was doing. MUCH love to you and Brian. You are a blessing on this earth too, and changing the world from the inside out, just like Buddy. xoxo
Thank you so much. I have a terrier that I found and rescued out on the desert between Taft and Bakersfield CA 11 years ago when the vet said he was probably 6 months old. He slept for 3 days and then became this rambunctious sweet dog who guards everything! He thinks he is a German shepherd! He is currently always by my side helping me through this triple neg breast cancer that recurred and progressed to lymph after 10 years, a double mastectomy and being on a Whole Foods plant based diet (mostly) for the last 6 years. But who know, stress, (taking care of a very sick husband with dementia who passed 2015) then going back to teaching and teaching in Alaska … I was so loving my last job when the diagnosis came in. Back to CA have finished 8 out of 12 chemo treatment am facing the decision whether to do radiation or not this summer after chemo done. I watched your movie again last night and so inspired me to keep on keeping on. I have your book Crazy Sexy Diet and I’m on day 5 and today sixth day in a row to walk with Dog Dog! Yup that’s his name and he loves to prance and dance in the fields and currently wildflowers thanks to the fabulous gift of rain we had this year in California! Thank you so much for your love of life! I share it with you! Today is my 67 birthday! My love to all! Smiles Joy furry cuddles and nature walks one day at a time! More has always been my drug of choice! Hard for me to stay in the now but when I do it’s great and in the moment enough!
I am crying this was so beautifully written. My one and only dog we had to let go when he was 16 years old and it is 10 years ago today. I want to love another dog again and I pray one will come into my life like the angels delivered Buddy to you. Thank you
Crying crying crying…. tears of sympathy – tears of happiness for how much love surrounds Buddy – tears of joy of how precious love is and the many forms it graces us in. I’m so thankful that that little Bud ran into you and Brian off the beaten path. I feel honored to have gone along on his journey over the years; his spirit and recovery have always warmed my heart. Sending you, Brian and Buddy so much love and light. Thank you for all the love you emit into the world, Kris. You’re an angle to so many. Me included.
So much love. XOXOXO
a most beautiful hommage! I kept wondering how was Buddy and what was going on but I knew it was perhaps difficult to address to the public. I rescue. I have had to send to heaven many because of the c….., or because of severe abuse, etc. etc. I too have felt the most amazing love, learned the deepest lessons in patience, medicine, love, nutrition, abuse by humans and so much more. Thank you for what you gave Buddy. Thank your rock husband and thank you for sharing with us your love for your furry child!
It’s so beautiful to hear of your deep bond with Buddy that will continue even without his physical presence; he’ll find ways of reminding you he’s still around. My little boy is 8 years old and adopted us 2 years ago and is totally my fur baby. I feel so blessed for the unconditional love he gives and the connection we have.
Sending much love and hugs your way xx ?❤❤️❤️
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, . . . . I’m so sorry for your loss of Buddy. I cried huge sobs reading it. The bigger the pain the bigger, deeper the love. Each time a fur baby comes into my life I feel I can’t love this one as much as the last one but they force (with love) my hearts to open bigger and to expand beyond what I ever imagined. And it’s probably wrong to say ‘loving this one as much and the last’ because it’s different, because each animal is it’s own individual sentient being, and because of the depth our heart took with the last makes it so we are able to be at a new expanded starting place with the next. Thank you for this loving tribute to buddy! I will go walk my Charlie with more presence today in honor of Buddy.
ps What I was trying to say is better said in this poem the was sent to me when my beloved Sophie passed on.
It came to me that every time I lose a dog
They take a piece of my heart with them,
And every new dog who comes into my life
Gives me a piece of their heart.
If I live long enough
All the components of my heart will be dog,
And I will become as generous and loving as they are.
– Anonymous
I’m sobbing at the beauty of this wonderful saga! The depth of love and commitment in every line touched me so deeply! Thank you for filling my heart with warmth and gratitude for people like you who help dissipate the sordidness that abounds in today’s social media. It was like a soothing balm…you are a gifted story-teller whose emotions play out in a candid and refreshing thread. Thank you!!
Dear Kris,
What an amazing story and what a wonderful tribute.
Our dog Allko, or my baby, came unexpectedly 9 years ago and fulfill my life.
Thanks for sharing HIM with us,
Carmen
Buddy had the best Mom and dad . Sending lots of love . We loved you Buddy.
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you as I am Reading this and the tears are flowing as I remember those same struggles and feelings when I had hard choices to make for both my flower girls Jazmyn and Lily a few years apart from each other. Jazz was diagnosed at 7 with kidney disease and crossed over at 9 and Lily had Breast cancer that she lived with for several years until it just became out of control. They are always with us! Jazz showed up at a reading my mom had with a medium and she said she was sorry it was so scary when she left( she had some pretty bad seizures)but she wanted to thank me for letting her go because she did not want to leave me and couldn’t do it herself. When Lily passed I told Lily I wanted a sign ( red winged blackbird) and low and behold there I was in Minneapolis for work a few weeks after she passed and I found myself lost so I stopped to look at my map again and I heard birds chirping so I looked up and there was my sign!
This is so beautifully written! I’m so sorry for your loss — I’m sobbing now. You are such a beautiful, caring person and such an inspiration. Wishing you the best!
Oh, dear, I should have saved this to read at home. You did more than Buddy would have asked so I can only imagine how much he treasured you. I’m so terribly sorry he is not with you physically any longer but, wow, what a life you gave each other. May you be blessed well for your kindness to the ‘banged up one.’
Dear Kris,
I am so sorry to hear that “little” Buddy has passed. But he is playing with other puppies and kitties now, exactly how you described! You are such a precious soul, and I am sure you and Brian were the best possible mum and dad for this fluffy puppy! Thanks for sharing it with us! I am sending you lots of love and healing energies! God Bless you and your husband!
What an exquisite & eloquent tribute to Buddy! You were the chosen family to best care for & love him. Quality of life is our ultimate guide and you provided the best in every way. I hope the joyous memories comfort your family. Buddy is with you everywhere & always.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story–what a lovely tribute to a sweet, amazing dog! I can’t stop crying because it’s so bittersweet–so much love and triumph, so much pain and loss. I send you big hugs and lots of love–thank you for your heroic efforts, you guys are angels. <3 <3 <3
Dear Kris,
thank you for sharing Buddys wonderful life story, his was a very special and meaningful life. You both were blessed to have each other. I share the same love with my own fur babies and fully understand the heartache when they pass, but they are never truly gone, they can still make you laugh out loud from their memories. Much love and light to you both,
Edel
Hey Kris and Brian. My heart just fills with love for the both of you and all your furry critters. It really is a special unconditional Love that is given and received by sharing and caring for the older, damaged, abused or special needs animals (and humans) that we share are lives with together. These Wonderful little spirits find their way in, never leave, and always seem to appear when our hearts are wide open. As I was reading (and crying) about your Buddy and your Love for each other, my Gracie cat, as she does, walks into my office, gives me a little squeak and a head butt, and reminds me that she’s there with me. It took her 5 years of Love and Affection to overcome her previous 8 years of neglect and abuse before I got the “I Love you look” from her… you know the look when it happens, right… and who doesn’t want as much of that in your life as you can get… in both critter and human form!!
Oh my goodness….You are absolutely wonderful to share this story/experience and I totally understand the unconditional love you have for your animals. They are a part of one`s family(it is the way it should be) and they should be treated accordingly. As you did with Buddy. You are truly wonderful Kris, thank you for being such a wonderful advocate for animals and their rights, as well as love concerning all creatures. Love and all the best from Jejja in Sweden:-)
I had to wait to type until I finished crying. I recently had to say goodbye to my Buddy, named Dudley. As Kris stated, they do let you know when it is time. They are ready to go. Pets give more than they take.
What a wonderful story Kris. Buddy is such a beautiful boy. I know with all my heart the deepth of connection we have with our animals and how deeply sad it is when its time for them to go. Thank you for sharing Buddys story and your loving kindness with each other. To me that is truly living. Living to the fullest.
Thank you Kris we have a beautiful 13 year old German Shepherd who has cancer and has been failing over the last few months. I care for her and sleep downstairs with her, because she was always by my side. I have been agonizing over how I will know when it’s time to let her go. This article was helpful and a sign that it may be time. They are truly angels to have in this lifetime.
Kris, this is a beautiful story. Tears run down my face as I read your words. Your words have inspired me at a time I have felt a bit discouraged. I bought a horse that had been ridden in an improper saddle, thus injuring him. He was beaten for not wanting to go up the trail. He too did not liked to be touched, and was nervous and fearful. The effects of the prior owner linger and disrupt my ability to ride. Some days I find that very discouraging, other days I find the joy in the ownership of this beautiful being and all that we can do together. Thank you for reminding me that it is what we can do together each day that is important! My condolences.
Such a beautiful post, Kris, thank you. I had a dog named Buddy as well who passed in 2011and he was definitely my angel, supporting me through a chronic illness, a divorce, and a move. He was hit by a car and his spine was severed so I had no choice but to put him down, but that last moment, like yours, was pure love that I remember and feel to this day. He taught me so much about love, death, and acceptance. It was the first time I allowed myself to fully grieve and was amazed at how I could hear him a few days afterwards. Dogs truly are pure love and I so appreciate your devotion to promoting rescuing animals. You rock!
PS- Thank you also for writing about your decision not to have children. I, too, choose not to be a mother in this life and it’s always good to hear similar stories.
Kris, My eyes are crying tears and my heart is pouring out love and light to you, Buddy and your husband. How beautiful and precious your experience was and I love that your love and light for animals is so bright, we need you and so many more people like you. Thank you for rescuing, for loving, for healing and for thriving alongside our beautiful animal companions.
Blessing and love to you <3
I’m so sorry for your loss! I also have stage four cancer, thankfully slow growing as well. Your blog has helped me so much to live through it; inspite of the big unknown. I am now almost ready to rescue a beloved pet, but not before I make arrangements for him in case I ‘check out’ earlier than not. I loved hearing about sweet Buddy! Thanks again, dear Kris!
The only downside to loving a pet is that their lives are so much shorter than ours. Your beautiful Buddy was one lucky boy to have you two as pet parents. I’ve had to make the difficult call for four of my precious pets and the balance of love vs. being selfish is a fine line. After losing my two Pekingese (litter mates) withing a month of each other, I thought that I just couldn’t do it anymore. I needed a break. But as serendipity would have it, just two weeks later, along came Wylie – another Pekingese who desperately needed a rescue. I think he actually rescued me. Never give up, never close the door to love. We think that they need us, but I think we need them even more. Sending you love.
I loved Buddy’s story. My little Chappy still misses his walks down Reynolds Lane with Lola!
Buddy was a little ray of light. Thank you for sharing him with us! I am deeply saddened to hear this news but I am so grateful to you for rescuing him and giving him the life he deserved. You are such a generous and caring soul. My heart goes out to you guys. Much love. Gobuddygo!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful bittersweet story. My heart goes out to you, but I rejoice that Buddy found love and happiness in his last years. He need not worry about seeing you in heaven because it’s a cinch you are going to get in. People like you hold the world together. Love and best wishes to you.
Dear Kris and Brian,
I am so sorry to hear about Buddy’s passing. I scheduled a time to read this post when I knew I would be alone in my office with no interruptions (because I knew I was going to weep). I used a lot of tissues while reading this post! The love of an animal is profound, life-changing, and essential.
You have a special soul…
Kris, I am so sorry to hear about Buddy, how Blessed he was to have spent his life with you, Brian and Lola. I understand the pain, I lost my 12 year old Corgi Benny to DM just before Christmas.He was such a love and joy to me.
Thank you, Kris. Such a lovely tribute to Love. I do believe there are angels in all creatures. In animals, they seems much more clear and bright and true. Our current six animals, all rescued but our lizard and a bulldog-love, have brought so much to our lives by sharing theirs. My son, especially, who has challenges beyond some others, has a special affinity with his cat Ben. When I struggle, my love Prices Harley Jan McPigglesworth, is the first to know and flop her furry love bomb of a body on me. I live their loss as a time loop of past, present and future, but also live their love the same way. Pain and loss are part of putting our hearts out there, and the reward for a freely given heart cannot be measured. Thank you for reminding me of this, letting me cry for your and my loss as I read, and smiling at your pictures of Buddy.
With Love,
As someone with chronic incurable illnesses and a little furry best friend who helps me through each and every day, this really struck a chord with me. I am so happy you found him and I am grateful for the love I receive from my furry kid each day. Reading this was emotional for me and I started to cry. My little best friend immediately came running over and licked the tears off of my face, telling me that it’s okay. ???
Thank you for sharing this. My husband and I also are childless and our dog, Chester, was our life. We also ushered him through some illnesses and said goodbye this year. What you wrote was a beautiful testament to the power of human/animal bond. It takes a special soul to do what you did for Buddy. XO.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Kris. Amazing relationship, and so true of what dogs give to us.
Bless your Heart! The depth we grieve is the depth of Love we give. You Love Big! This is remarkable story of letting Tenderness rule. We just had to let our dog, Buddy, go after a long bout with cancer. Our Buddy was also found on a trail, but in Colorado -when he was a puppy. Heaven is full of good dogs named Buddy! I sent your post to my Papa, who said, you and your husband did the good, right thing. Thank you for putting into words – this kind of Love. You are a special family. xo
Dear Kriss,Buddy is truly an angel now.Sorry for the loss of your furr baby. You helped him so much gave him love and did everything you could such a honest person you are.Thank God Buddy spend his time with you.I’m so sad,I hope you are doing fine now,it really hurts losing your friend.My prayers are with your family.Stay strong give it time,space and talk about it.I love you.
Sending you and your husband so much love. Thank you for giving Buddy a sanctuary and a beautiful life. I understand the care of an ailing dog. I did the same for my sweet Maggie girl after she went blind and could barely walk. So many times we went to the vet, prepared that this would be “the end”… one day our vet said something that has never left me. He said that despite her visual loss and physical ailments that it didn’t mean she didn’t have a good quality of life. He said “sometimes the best quality of life is simply knowing that you are loved.” And so we went home and we lived with her illness and managed her symptoms and on the good days we went to the beach so she could smell her beloved ocean and we snuggled and loved on each other until our day came at age 19 1/2 and I knew what had to be done because she let me know. I can’t wait to see her one day on the other side of this life. Thank you for giving your sweet Buddy boy the very best quality of life… knowing he was beloved.
I love you Kris Carr ?
As I sit here crying my heart out at the loss of your Buddy. I’m brought back to my handsome boy Prince (aka “The Bud”) In January of this year I too had to make the decision to let my boy go home. He was also a beagle mix. I just know that your Buddy and my Best Bud are at peace now. Maybe they got to meet and are best buddies!
my heart……tears won’t stop. thank you for sharing your heart.
Kris, what a beautiful story. When I was in 3rd grade I found a puppy in a vacant lot on my way to school. I took her home, and shockingly my parents let me keep her. My parents were always fighting, it was a challenging childhood. 25 years later I was getting a psychic reading. The psychic said, oh you have a black and white dog. And I said no but I had one as a child. She said, “That dog is in your energy field and she loves you so much, because you saved her life and loved her”. In all honesty, I think she helped save my life! I named her Bubbles. Thank you for all your animal energy. Ellen
Kris,
I cried like a baby; reading about Buddy. Like you, my love, has always been (more) profound for animals; horses, dogs, cats, etc. I especially connected to your story when you described how your precious Buddy “sat up” and looked you on the face; felt his love & gratitude! Same for myself with my horse(s) over the years, dogs, cats. I agree, with you, to adopt not shop. You are “spot on” about the older, broken rebels too. You have inspired me to open up my heart, life (again) to a fur love! In a 5 mo stretch (in 2014) I lost my beloved horse (Magic), my rescue cat, Riley, my cat, Toby, and my beloved Shiba Inu, Hero. I suppose God needed them more. Like you, I’m a cancer survivor/thriver and have no children. No matter, animals have always been there unconditionally with their patient, kind love. As humans, I believe, we have a God given responsibility to be loving caretakers of animals and children; innocents. So, from my heart, THANK YOU for your inspiring story! It was, indeed, a blessed way to wake up this morning and feel God’s love and positivity. Be blessed; Kris & hubby!
O, Kris! You’ve got me sobbing till my head is ringing. Two of my three rescue kitties gazed at me in astonishment and have come up to snuggle on me. Thank you for the unabashed Extreme Love you birth into the world every day!
There must have been so much love between Buddy and all of you in his life. I can only Imagine the joy he felt the day you found him on that mountain and all the days that followed. Thanks for sharing this tender story, Kris. Love to your huge heart. xo
Thank you for sharing! I am a full on cat gal, I’ve never had a dog, but Buddy opened my heart! I always enjoyed seeing him in your posts and hearing about his progress and followed his struggle. He was a powerful dog, and he is so missed! What an amazing life you gave him, and what an amazing gift he gave all of us! You inspire me daily through all of your work, and in your real and honest life that you lead. Love to you and Brian and Lola!
You gave him a beautiful life, I’m so sorry for your loss. Our pets are precious family members, thank you for sharing Buddy with all of us.
There is something absolutely pure in the love we share with our fur babies. Although it seems so unfair they can’t live as long as we do, their love is something I would not trade for the world. Buddy had an amazing life. His light shined so brightly it will live in your heart forever.
What a blessing you are and what a blessing Buddy was and still is. Thank you for sharing this Kris…love heals…always.
Wow. You have such a gift of writing from the heart. I couldn’t make it through Old Yeller for the tears, but halfway through your story, sniffling and wiping my eyes in bed, my dog uncurled herself from sleep, and put her head on my heart so we could finished reading it together. I’m guessing she sent Buddy a picture of them running together and making snow angels (her favorite thing), and I’m sending you love. Thank you so much for sharing your gift.
Thank you for sharing this story. I had a much needed cry this morning. My husband has Parkenson’s Disease. He is still here, but I miss him and I stuff my feelings about the things we can’t do together anymore. I hurt my hip this past weekend & I’m on crutches. I can now empathize with how he can not make his body go faster or do what he would like it to do. Yet, he is one of the most optimistic people I know. He never complains, knows how to ask and except help and is still living life in his limited capacity.
Thank you, your husband and Buddy for the beautiful lesson on living and loving no matter the circumstances. ?
What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful Buddy. Thank you for sharing. Sending you, your husband and Lola all the love and light in my heart.
Please write a children’s book. Buddy’s story is a beautiful story…loss, redemption, final glory. Thanks Kris
Oh Kris! Tears are pouring down my face as I read your story. We said our final good bye to our beloved pooch 3 weeks ago and we still miss him SO! They truly change our lives and our hearts. I’ve loved watching buddy’s stories over the years. Hugs to you and your hubby!
Line me up to the kleenex box! Animals, such fur angels of love! My hubby and I said goodbye to the form of our dear sweet cat just months ago. She had kidney problems for a long time. We went all holistic nuts, full out along, with intravenous drips a couple times and many near death moments. She was scheduled twice to go over the rainbow bridge, though she bounced back literally! Through these months right after her passing, her energetic body jump on our bed once like she use to do and have had a couple colorful, healthy, her running like mental, dreams! Your kindness touches my heart Kris. With tears of gratitude, Lelle
We’ve adopted 3 fur babies (I can’t have human children either) and they are my little loves!! Your beautiful words made me cry. Lucky you and lucky Buddy!!
Well Kris Carr, God seems to always put you in my path when I need your kick ass loving advice…The first time when my mother in law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 2ndly when I was diagnosed With Mantle Cell Lymphoma and needed a stem cell transplant and just now after I lost such a dear companion named Allie. I rescued her in Texas while I was at my Uncles funeral. She had been a stray in the small neighborhood for 5 months and she was under weight and terribly matted. Despite her appearance she was so friendly (most Bishopoos are) and when we met there was this magical connection like nothing I’ve been hit with before. It was a complete love bomb and it feels a bit embarrassing to gush so but I was not heading back to Washington State without this dog. I made all the arrangements necessary and we headed home She was by my side through 3 years of fighting cancer, surviving the transplant and 1 1/2 year recovery. Also through a ski injury and back injury. Finally, through it all I was finally doing well and the night the Oscars was on my family and I were gathered in the living room… My daughter Morgan and I were huddled together looking at her wedding ideas and I looked up and saw Allie sitting in my future son in laws lap..She was sittings so sweetly gazing at me and it just filled my heart with warmth and joy. I just couldn’t get over the loving expression on her adorable face. I told Morgan to glance at her. It’s was.. a moment. Our last moment, as she died that night in her sleep. She had congestive heart failure. Thanks for sharing your story Kris. God Bless, – Valerie
That was a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing!
S’why we love yah. Thanks for sharing, lovely Kris.
That was beautiful
Dear Kris,
Just a line to say what a wonderful story about Buddy, and what kind people you are to have given him such a good life. I was so upset just reading about it, as my Husband and I had to put down 3 dogs over the years, and it brought it all back.
Kris, I know you are ill, but have you thought about going on the “Chris beat Cancer” blog. Also Ann Cameron’s blog. They both recovered from Cancer. Do hope you look them up. Yours sincerely. Pat Waters.
What a beautiful miracle for a beautiful miracle…Bless you. & your dear husband????!!! Thanks for sharing such a precious & profound story of true love, partnership & parenting!!! See you on rainbow ? bridge Buddy!!
You’re an angel for taking care of Buddy so lovingly and patiently. I’ve been following his story and always believed that he was delivered into exactly the right hands when he found you in the woods. And I knew that one day, you would tell us that he moved on to the rainbow bridge and you would honor his life like this. I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart is broken for you, but I’m confident you know that yours was a bond that can never be broken. He will love you forever, and I truly believe that you will see each other again. This little prayer has always given me comfort at the loss of a beloved furry pal. “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.”
Kris and Brian!! You have my deepest condolences. I have a furbaby and no children. I miscarried at 43 and received my Molly two years later. I had the puppy in my lap due to allergies I asked “is it healthy for me to have this dog” (I was also fighting depression and off work) I heard the name “Molly”…I said “what was that” it came again “Molly”. I looked down at this pup on loan to us and said theny husband sitting nearby watching tv “meet our new dog Molly”. I guess the universe answered my question in its very powerful unique way!! Buddy feels like gift from God. You have touched the deepest part of my heart and soul. If more people let a Buddy into their hearts we would have a totally different world. This would be heaven. Molly brought heaven to my world and breathed life back to me. She is seven and full of beans! People say I’m too close I think they fear my eventual pain but I can’t hold back. Very minute counts. I feel the blessing everyday. I don’t want to pad myself against pain anymore. That being said I’m a mess of tears right now. Why do they cut so deep!!! It’s freakin amazing!!! I don’t have the words of the immense gratitude I have for your life choices and simply who you are. When I get down at times you will literally pop in my mind and I’m reminded there are people who love fiercely and courageously on this planet. Buddy could not have been loved harder and he had the opportunity to love in a way only God could fully grasp. And I know he’s not done!!! More to come….som much love and healing to you and your Man…a real Man!! ❤️?❤?????
I read this on the bus, and had to put it down multiple times to prevent me from turning into a sobbing mess. This was beautiful and so heart wrenching at the same time. Buddy was definitely meant to find you guys and it sounds like everyone was better for it. I’m so very sorry for the loss of your fur baby and so very grateful that you had an opportunity to have him in your lives, and you both in his. Thank you for sharing this ❤
Beautiful memories! Thank you for sharing! We have had similar experiences, and loving pets is fantastic!
OMG , WHAT A WONDERFUL story!!! Feels familiar….i love individuals such as you. I know God has a special place for you and all you love.
Kris,
My heart feels for your loss and your pain. What a heart-breaking and glorious story you’ve shared. Yes, our pets are our children. And they are ALWAYS there…even when humans are not. I have a dwarf bunny, Nutmeg, and although bunnies may not have quite the sophisticated senses of dogs, I’d swear he’s knows when I’m sad. The tears I shed for you are happy and sad. Your dedication to your sweet Buddy is incredible and honorable. I’m certain he’s looking down from the fields he’s running in and sending you great big hugs. Your family is changed by his absence and the blessings he brought. I know you’ll cherish the memories he helped create. Sending you hugs. ~Debbie
I seriously can’t even keep up with all the love that is coming our way, here, on social, through our customer service. Wow. Thank you is all I can say. You’ve cracked me open even further. I need a case of tissues reading about all your experiences and beloved pets. The world is a wonderful place to live in and you are true, good, wonderful people. Big medicine. Today is good. Love you all!
I’m grateful you can feel the flood of love coming to you and Brian. I’m hoping it offers a bit of a reprieve ?????❤
Thanks for sharing, Kris. Tears for buddy first thing in the morning and for everything you shared.
Thanks for sharing – so hard to lose our best friends. My friends still mention how I referred to my dog as my best friend in high school! For the record, still not remotely embarrassed. Thanks for the amazing pictures of Buddy with the sparkle in his eyes and his goofy personality on full display. They are love on four legs and a reminder of how gentle, kind and loving we can choose to be regardless of what is going on around us. Tough job!! I hope you find comfort in your pictures and memories – I still turn to pictures of my dog and smile, when times are tough. His last glance to you must have been reassuring – sending you good vibes and to Buddy, an enthusiastic, “good dog”!!!
What a beautiful and heartfelt post. I have a 13 year old golden retriever who’s body is starting to fail her. We’ve started wondering about this final stage of her life and I’ve been trusting her to let us know when it’s time for her to let go. But even though her front leg fails at times, she wags her tail and tries to go with us everywhere! So I know she is just ageing like people do and am honoring her journey and sharing in the “growing pains.” It is so hard to watch them feel like a puppy and have their body not respond!
I’ve never heard of hydrotherapy and am going to look into it!
Thanks for sharing. I cried like a baby reading this.
And I LOVE all the pictures of Buddy – cherished memories of a golden boy. Thank you for all of them over the years and today.
I can remember checking in to see new weigh-in’s with Brian. The progress filled my heart. Then all the pictures of Buddy soaking in all of the love over the years – touched my soul.
Such a beautiful tribute, thank you for sharing! As a fellow “parent” of an adopted hound I know what sweet and loving creatures they are. I’m sure Buddy is now howling and running free. Much love and Blessings to you
Dear sweet Kris and Brian, I am so sorry to hear of Buddy’s passing. It is never ever easy, as you know. But reading your letter above – I know you and Brian and Buddy are at peace, because you did it “all” right… it happened in the best possible way it could. I recently lost my pup, Sydney, at the age 12. I know the sadness and the faith. I watched from the day you found Buddy and followed the love and joy and challenges – my God, he was blessed, and in return so were you. I love how you talked to him about passing. He is well now and will see you again. Your entire story, your life, has such purpose – and you are living it to the fullest. Your purpose in this life is strong and true and you are making a difference every day. Many prayers to you for continued blessings. Keep shining your light. It is powerful and meaningful and so many…both human and animal alike, are touched by your beautiful soul. xoxo I am grateful for your story. Thank you for letting me follow along.
Kris, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story! Buddy was very lucky to have you and your husband as parents, and you were just as lucky to have him! Sending lots of love your way.
I am terribly sorry for your loss and on the other side very happy for you to experience so many beautiful moments with such a wonderful being. My thoughts are with you. Please go on spreading love to furry friends and when you feel ready please open your home to a new canine friend.
What a beautiful story — so eloquently expressed from the heart! I cried so much reading this blog. It’s a true love story (kind of like the movie). I am amazed at the lengths you and your husband took in caring for Buddy, but then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your journey!!
Oh Kris and Brian, my sincere condolences on losing your precious fur baby. What a joy he appeared to be and what a blessing that he had YOU to live his last time here with.
Kind of an off the wall thought but I feel our animals leave in place of us. My dog contracted sarcoma cancer after sitting with me during my treatments for, you guessed it, sarcoma. It was a very sad day to have to put her to sleep and we miss her every single day.
We now have a rescue dog, Honey, who is American Fox Hound and Beagle mix. She was found on the side of the road with a broken leg. She is now thriving and happy. Her transformation was amazing to watch. She is so loved…
I’ve been here enough times to know how very sad it is but it is a gift we can give our beloved animals. And how incredibly lucky he was for you to have found him and made him a part of your family. Thank you for loving this guy back to health and happiness for whatever time he had left on this earth.
Oh Kris.
So beautiful. Thank you for being a champion for him.
It’s been 6 mos since My first ever dog crossed the bridge. I adopted her from the animal shelter I worked at. 15 years ago. Her little shadow Prince is still with me..:and he is aging rapidly and missing her so much I swear he still cries. I am tired from all of the spectrums of emotion…but grateful. And my folks had to say goodbye to their little muppet a few days ago. As we always say…”DAMN DOGS!!!”
Reminds me of a classic Brady Bunch moment.
Just sending hugs. Xo
The love never ends. Today I am sending you a big hug and only love, Kris. Thank you for sharing your journey and beautiful pictures…even as I am wiping away my tears.
Beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing your loving journey with Buddy.
LOVE the story of this journey! SO SWEET! I too, am an animal lover and have had to let go of many of my furry 4-legged kids to that heavenly pet paradise. Its heart-breaking to see them go but I would never change the time of having them in my life – they bring so much unconditional love and joy!
Thank you Kris for sharing your and Buddy’s story. I am truly sorry for your loss. I remember when you first posted pictures of Buddy in his go cart. I love your Miracle story of how Buddy your Miracle came into your life. Buddy was blessed that you and your husband found him. And you guys were blessed also. Just so beautiful. Peace be with you, your husband, Michelle, and all Buddy’s family.
Sending you so much love, Kris and Brian. Crying my eyes out in my office, but knowing I will be reaching back to this tribute when it’s my Dolly’s time, too. Thank you so much.
Dear Kris…. I always figured Buddy was Special from your photos, but to hear his very triumphant story… Wow.. he was definitely your little angel dog sent to you from above. The love you & your husband gave him and that he in return gave you .. how precious! Having a few dogs in my life that were special souls and in dog heaven now, I know how hard it is to love and lose them and the place in our hearts they will always hold. Like unique stars✨
Thank you for sharing your Buddy Love Story with us… I’m in tears reading it… Buddy is definitely patrolling the grounds of dog heaven & happy I’m sure? Blessings to you!
I’m so sorry for your loss of sweet Buddy. You are truly an angel and he was blessed to be loved by you. I have a rescue hound too and I know we have helped each other heal and grow on so many levels. I’m glad you and Buddy were there for each other. Thank you for sharing your life and your lessons and for inspiring me and others in a million different ways. Hugs!!
? Beautiful Buddy Boy!
Hiya Kris~
Thank you for sharing this inspiring & motivational tale. We loved & learned from our beautiful Sunny-doggy girl for 15 1/2 years.
“The Rainbow Bridge” will reunite us all when the time is right…?✨
Namaste’ ~ Tumblena (aka Dayle)
Oh my God. I’m drenched in tears. Not knowing Buddy’s story, I cried tears of joy at the picture of him being weighed and saw how he was recovering and filling out. Now, I’m crying for you and for him, at his passing. What a beautiful life he had with you. So wonderful that Buddy knew love. I had to let 2 elderly dogs go within months of each other almost 3 years ago. I never knew I had so many tears. I never thought I would smile or love again. I brought my dogs into my life when I was unable to conceive. Although I did end up adopting eventually, those two dogs were no less my babies than my son. They lived long, love-filled lives and brought me so much joy. One went blind and then became lame, the other suffered a seizure, went blind and then something seemed to go haywire with her brain. Gut-wrenching to lose your beloved babies naturally, but to have to make the choice was an unimaginable, crushing responsibility. Coincidentally, Kathy helped me as well. Thank you for sharing your story. A reminder of what a gift it is to love an animal. What a blessing to have their love.
Thank you for this BEAUTIFUL story Kris. Your messages always move me in some way but this one has left me in a deluge of tears. I am grateful. I grieve the loss of a beautiful soul, my 16-year old nephew, who battled a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. In reading I am called to remember his last couple of months on earth – the extreme pain and profound grace and the extraordinary beauty in the needing, in the giving, in the surrendering. I hope that your heart has more joy than sadness today as you remember your blessed Buddy. Sending hugs to you!
Dear Kris- I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing your story… your words touch my soul. Buddy was a lucky boy to have found you and your hubby.. I too lost a beloved dog years ago and agree that our pets enrich our lives in so many ways. You are a true inspiration. Love and light to you always.
This was so beautiful in honor of Buddy. What great love you both had for each other. We lost our beloved Ridgeback to DM. It was the most heartbreaking experience. Like you, we did whatever it took. We even slept on the floor with her for a year and half and each day she would wake up in good spirits and we would work together and make every moment special. At the end, as you know, it was time to let her go. I still can’t think of it without sobbing (as I am doing now). To me, that experience was the greatest lesson in love and I know that letting her go was also the most loving thing I could do for her. Thank you for sharing your story about Buddy. I hope he is happily playing with my Sophie Girl. Much love.
Oh no! I am so sorry about Buddy. You and Brian did a great job with him. So much love.
Kris, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Buddy…I have been wondering how he was and missed your updates and photos. I am bawling as I read your loving tribute to such a wonderful soul. I cry with you
Thank you Kris for sharing this beautiful tribute to Buddy. I remember your first post when you discovered Buddy.
One person can truly make a difference!
You and Brian are ForEver in my thoughts!!! ??❤
I don’t even know what to say. That story was so sweet and yet so sad. Buddy was certainly a lucky pooch to run into you. Your work and love are nothing short of amazing, you are a wonderful mother Kris Carr.
I know from experience the loss of a loved animal like that are hard to move past. I had a 6 year old bulldog and I went out to breakfast and came home and found him dead. He hadn’t been sick, and so the shock and sadness carried over for about 2 years, I couldn’t even hear his name without tearing up. I wasn’t prepared for that, then 4 month later my son and I had to put down our 16 year old cat, and being there with her and holding her and lovingly petting her and talking as she passed was much easier even though it was sad, we were prepared.
I feel so grateful and blessed that I have a friend who told me about you in the beginning of my stage 4 lung cancer journey, I can’t even tell you how you have helped hold me up. I’ve juiced every day since Dec.10th when my sweet husband bought me a juicer for my birthday, and I read Radical Remission, actually on my second time through, I’ve radically changed my diet, and my last CT scan showed only scar tissue, no mention of tumor and nothing new…they called me grossly stable.
I have an Oncologist that I’m not crazy about, he doesn’t want to talk about nutrition, and says whatever I’m doing it’s working and not to stop. The nurse practitioner that I see actually more than the doc is more open minded and very positive, so I ignore him. I also have a great Naturopath on board, who in the beginning when I was told not to use any supplements because they could get in the way of the receptors for the chemo drugs, she said “okay, then lets use food as medicine”. I feel blessed in many ways….just as you were with buddy. I’ve found that I alsways seem to get exactly what I need at the exact right time.
Thank you Kris Carr for sharing your amazing story and helping me crawl out of my fear and darkness to fight this like the warrior that I am…… I hope our paths cross at some time in this lifetime…..barb
A tear jerker for sure! Buddy was so lucky to have you in his life! You are an amazing person! Beautiful tribute to Buddy!
Thank you for sharing this story! Through tears I write this comment.I think it was no accident that I came across this blog to day, as I am also a dog lover, and my rescue dog, Chuckles (he’s a Boxer), is suffering from a arthritic spine. His symptoms at first were very similar to your Buddy’s, and I was thinking hip dysplaysia. Then an X-ray recvealed fusion of some vertebrae in the posterior part of his spine. I’ve been nursing him along, and seeing his ability to stand, keep his balance, and pain tolerance deteriorate. He is on pain meds and mobility supplement, and anti-inflammatory meds. This lessens the discomfort he has , but does nothing to heal him. I struggle watching him suffer and see him in pain. I pray also to know when it is t I me to let go………as one pet lover to another, I know the end of his life is inevitbable. MY dog is my loyal companion and best friend.
I”m so sorry for your loss, I know how tough it is to lose a pet. Especially one of those special angel babies. Our lives are all the more better for having had them, even if for a short time. Prayers to you and your family but I’m glad that Buddy is no longer suffering. Thank you for sharing your story.
I didn’t expect to ugly cry at one of your posts! I’m so sorry for your loss- as a mommy to 2 rescue fur babies myself I can only imagine your sadness. I loved seeing Buddy’s progress and I’m so happy you and the huz were his planetary angels he so desperately needed. Virtual hugs to you and thanks for sharing your story and love to all of us. Rest easy Buddy xoxo
Tears flowing. Sending you and Brian much love.
Thank you for sharing Buddy’s story. I knew that he had DM like my dog Borrego had had but I didn’t know the rest of the love you brought into his life. You were truly his angel. DM is such a hard disease and it is difficult to know from one day to the next if you are doing the right thing. I’m so glad you did the gut checks to know. I did the same and it was helpful to have outsiders help me with the tough decisions. I miss Borrego every day, as I’m sure you do Buddy. I’ve started fostering dogs again as I stopped when Borrego got sick. Maybe that’s something your friend in rescue can hook you up to do. It’s so incredibly rewarding. I thank God for the loving heart he has brought into the world encapsulated in your beautiful self.
Oh Kris,
Thank you for your beautiful post. There are tears in my eyes and love in my heart. You are such an inspiration to so many. I just lay on the floor and hugged my rescue dog, Roxie. Who does the rescuing? I also have 3 rescue cats, Maggie, Quinn, and Willa.
Thank you for your support of animal welfare! It is so important to get this rescue message out.
You have such a beautiful spirit!
Hugs,
Andrea
Kris You are one special angel who has come to earth at this time to spread your huge wings and cover like a blanket, so many who are struggling with pain, heartache and life!! You are truly a godsend and pure hearted soul!!?
A beautiful tribute! I lost my beagle last November to Cancer. I treated her for 5 years after her leg was removed from her first bout of cancer. I totally understand what you went through with Buddy. Even though I have grown children, my dogs are also my children. I grieve the lost of my dear Chibi every day and I’m looking for a new miracle to enter my life and take her place. Thank you for being so genuine, sweet and open. This blog is very healing!
Dearest Kris, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for posting Buddy’s full story today. I have been following your journey since I found you in 2011 and I have particularly enjoyed hearing about Buddy. I think it’s amazing what you have been doing. I know there is nothing that we, your fans, can do or say to make your heart-break go away, and yet I feel the urge to send a loving message to you. Lots of love and good vibes from Frid, a fellow fur-baby mama
Kris – I ‘ve been following your posts for years, since my dear friend, and yours, Jeanne Carroll, suggested I do so!! I read this post, 4 years and 1 day after Jeanne’s passing, and couldn’t stop crying. I read the title and knew that Buddy had crossed the Rainbow Bridge to his true forever home. I, too, relate to animals much more easily than I relate to humans. Just last year, my husband and I adopted Junior, a then, 13 year old kitty whose person had passed and left him and his companion without a home. Then his companion passed at the shelter. My husband, who by the way, did not like cats when he met me 18 years ago, suggested we find another fur baby to join our home. We lost the last of our (rescue) cats the year before, and it took me some time to move through the grief. It was the silence and loneliness in the house that prompted our drive to the NHSPCA where we saw Junior, or JR, lounging on a tall kennel. For the past year, he has brought such a joy, so much laughter comes from us as we watch, or join in, his antics!!! We thought . . . even if he is 13, he’ll have the rest of his life in our home, being cared for and loved! Thank you for sharing about Buddy! I watched you post when he came into your life, feeling so sad, that he had been lost, or worse, left in the woods to die. You and your husband took him in, loved him, and he brought so much joy in the blog postings over the past few years! I burst out crying as I neared the end of this blog . . . something I needed . . . Thank you for sharing (as always) with your heart wide open. Much love to all who helped Buddy during his courageous life and much love and memories always to you, Brian, Lola! Namaste Kris.
My heart goes out to you Kris. Buddy was one of your angels as you were one of his. You made each other’s lives more of everything wonderful. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story with all of us! God bless your sweet, handsome, Buddy??
Thank you for sharing your love for Buddy. I remember when you wrote of finding him. Your words and pictures tell such a beautiful story. Without a doubt our furry friends bring an amazing love to our lives and their passing changes us forever! Gods speed to you and your husband and buddy’s little sister! xoxo
What a charm to have found each other in the magical Catskill woods! Bless you and Brian, Kris, for giving Buddy a second happier life. And bless Buddy, whose stout heart had the glorious opportunity to heal and love. May he rest snd romp in peace.
Your love of Buddy came through so vividly and beautifully in all of your posts. I am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful relationship you all have. xoxoxo
Thank you for sharing. I know the pain that comes with this. But, as you do, I know the lifelong love and joy as well. I hope your heart smiles first every time you think of and that the joy outweighs the sadness. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
All you have to do is look at that face to know how amazing Buddy is.. I lost my dog 4 years ago and still think about her all the time. We are so lucky to have dogs because they help to remind us what really matters .. and they help us to communicate more intuitively.. they cannot text us, or email us or speak coherent sentences.. so we must really tune in and listen in a different way. It is a gift to have animals like Buddy around us . Thanks for sharing your story.
What an emotional and loving story of compassion and devotion. I cannot even see what I am typing. Tears are flowing like a waterfall. He taught you so many lessons and you in turn taught him how to love again and trust. What an amazing connection you had with him. Thank you for sharing the heartache you had to go through. He was a blessing to you and you were a blessing to him. That is the ultimate definition of loving someone unconditionally,
Beautiful story. Beautifully written. I felt the love in each word.
Kris, I’m crying as I read this knowing how special the love of between a pet and his person can be. I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope your heart will not be broken for too long, because Buddy will always be with you. You were his guardian angel, and now he is yours. Much peace and love to you.
So much love to you guys! I can’t imagine what this was like for you to write Kris. I defintely thought it was going to go a different direction than it did and that is completely fine. He lived as long as he did because you and your husband were such wonderful parents to him. Truly beautiful!
And if you should ever adopt again, let your hubby know that there is never a perfect time for a new child, furry or non-furry, you just have to take the plunge.
Blessings from someone who has been there a few times. Like I always say ,” The day you bring home that bundle of love you know there will be the day you let them go, never let it negate all of the joy in between.”
Namaste
Kris,
Thank you for sharing this story of love. I truly believe situations are put in our path to help us grow.
I have a sweet cat, Charlie, an Abyssinian with a little tabby thrown in at some point. She is a rescue offered to me by a neighbor who found her and brought her home hoping her furry roommate would love a new friend. She didn’t and wouldn’t even come home while sweet little Charlie was there.
I at first said no I couldn’t. I’d lost my dear 18 1/2 Doreen a coulees years earlier and it still stung. But I relented and so happy I did. She’s taught me so much. She now has diabetes (4-year survivor so far) and IBS. So food is a challenge and there are occasional ‘redecorating’ events requiring clean up. I spend a good deal of time cooking and preparing her food. But she is grateful and funny and rewards me with her love and perseverance.
Thank you again for sharing your love story!
Kris, your light is an amazing blessing that this world is so lucky to have. You and Brian are such special people; you gave Buddy such a wonderful life. Once he crossed that rainbow bridge that is all that he will ever remember, the love, patience, humanity and compassion that he felt from you. I know it must be hard, but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you being able to dig deep (if that’s the case) and talk about not having children. For me too living with a Stage IV cancer and deciding not to wake the sleeping giant, it was the hardest and most painful decision that I have ever had to make. (I am still grieving and still healing and still keeping frozen embryos until I can gather the courage to officially close that door). I read your words, your books, listen to your meditations, make your juice recipes and it makes me feel closer to you and connected to somebody else who has similar and tough decisions to make based on cancer. The best part is feeling connected to somebody who is also like me in wanting to fight, stay positive, be authentic with the rough stuff but also incredibly grateful for the gifts. Thank you for being so brave as to tell your story– and know that it has helped me fight, love, and stay true to who I am. My hubby and I have two rescue cats and guess what? We just filled out applications to look for a rescue dog as well. I will send you pics when we find our new fur-baby. I still have so much love to give! And so, when we are ready to have our green juice together, maybe our animals can also play together as well. With hope, love and gratitude for all that you and Brian do for others, for all that you have done for me and so many others– Your BFF, Samantha xoxo
So moved by this story, thank you for sharing it with us. Tears are flowing… heart is broken open this morning. As i read it and as i write this i have my softly snoring little Bean in my lap, who is now 15+ years old. She has been with me through it ALL, and she too came into my life right when i was trying to nurse a broken heart. She helped me heal and we have traveled all over the world together. It’s tricky because since our own children have joined the family about 4 years ago, Bean had had a very hard time adjusting and never really would allow the girls to pet her and love on her. She only wanted me and was not overjoyed to share in the other needs around her. But adjust she did and now, four years later, she even lets my older daughter pet her every now and then. Buddy’s touching story is such a wonderful reminder to respect other being’s emotional, physical and spiritual processes, however long they may take. And it is such a sweet example of the magical gifts received from all parties when patience, kindness, compassion and healing love are present. Thank you so much Kris for being you–a true embodiment of all of these. Lots of love from across the river in hudson, ny!
Oh Kris, how I cried reading this. You and Buddy were so lucky to have found each other. Dogs give unwavering love. Who could ask for more?
Two years ago, I lost my Border Collie Cookie. I held her & loved her as she stepped into the next world. She looked like an angel as she passed. No more pain, except for my breaking heart.
In time, we adopted a small senior dog. People told us not to get him, he was old, he’d die soon, cost me a fortune in care, etc. Cody was rescued from a high kill shelter.
He had the saddest face I’ve ever seen. Do I need to tell you that it’s the best move we’ve ever made? He’s the sweetest, gentlest, happiest little soul ever. He just needed some love & we give him tons of it. But not as much as he gives us ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sure you went through a whole box of tissues writing it. I did, reading it.
You’ve got such a big heart .
Dear Kris:
So sorry for your lost. A strong hug for you. You were a good momma for Buddy. The best.
It is wonderful to love & be loved – isn’t that why we all here for. Sad but loving story.
Dear Kris, I opened up my e-mail today and read your beautiful tribute to Buddy and also about yourself. I’ll keep you in my prayers. You are an inspiration to us all. Blessings to you and your hubby.
OMG, I’m so sorry you ended up losing Buddy. What a sweet, sweet boy and heartwarming story. Even though I am doing the ugly cry right now (as I’m sure you have done many times from this), I admire you and your husband so much for all you’ve done and will continue to do in this world. Thank you for sharing your love story. I’m so happy I found you and got on your list, you are a true inspiration.
My dog is missing Kris for 9 months now..I let her off the leach for a few minutes because she liked to exercise and run freely..My dog never came back. And she was my strength and happiness. I have had her for 9 years. She was my baby as I can’t have babies either. We slept in the same bed. We cuddled all the time. Kiss all the time. She was my best friend , my most trusted. When I could not find her I walked hundreds of km on foot for 2 months looking everywhere for her. I checked all the fields, orchards, yards, holes in the ground..you name it. I got the police involved, a pet detective…nothing. I made fliers and posters…I asked for this to be on the news of my local channel, i kept posting on facebook, put up a significant reward…but nothing. Where are you my love? Do you have water? Do you have food? Are you happy? Are you afraid? Are you healthy? I miss you so so so much…All i want is to be able to hug and kiss you again..I want to see into your lovely eyes again. I want to smell you again. Every day that goes by without you is a torment. Where are you baby???????????
Dear Kris, your letter brought tears to my eyes. Your words, went straight to my heart. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and deep story about love, hope and miracles. Your buddy dog will always be grateful for all you did to save him and for the life you offered him. I always had animals around me, cats and dogs we saved, we took from fosters home, found in the forest and as you perfectly said they are little miracles of life. Little angels that were put in our path to give and receive love. I’m deeply sorry for your loss, it takes time and never really goes away, but when you continue to save other animals, in their eyes you’ll always see the soul of the previous one, they never really go away <3
Sending lots of love Kris from England you are such a wonderful person and your love and energy just radiates.
Oh my goodness, what a sweet story. I am glad that God brought Buddy in your life. Our fur babies are truly family. I am so sorry for your loss.
I can’t stand to see an animal that seems thrown away, I can’t stand to see someone be abusive to an animal. If people would just be mindful that these animals are creatures that God has created.
I’m a mess . What a beautiful story and testimony to love. Could someone tell me how long Buddy was in your life before his passing?
Oh goodness, tears are streaming down my face. This touched me deep in my core. What a wonderful homage to Bobby. xx
Oh goodness, tears are streaming down my face. This touched me deep in my core. What a wonderful homage to Buddy. xx
Lovingly expressed….a life rescued and lived …… LOVE……
I am so, so, so sorry for your loss. I had been wondering how Buddy was doing lately and then when I saw the subject of your email this morning I just started to cry. Thank you for saving him and for sharing his life with us. You are amazing.
Kris, your life is a plethora of inspiration. I have been following you for years and despite loving just about everything I see/read/hear of you and your work, I’m not one to post anything (I might be the last person not on social media!) I had to reach out and send my condolences on your loss and say that I’m a dehydrated mess after ready that especially emotional post. I, too, love my fur baby (and those who have already left us). Their presence in our lives is a true gift. You & Buddy are so lucky to have found each other. Thank-you for all you do and sharing such a scared relationship.
I am sobbing at my desk right now!
First of all, from someone who had suffered from infertility for almost four years (before IVF worked a miracle for us) I am so, so sorry you had to make that heartbreaking decision to not try for biological children. That is also the time I’ve felt most broken. It’s obvious that you two are wonderful parents to your furbabies and would be to human babies too. I hate that after all you’ve been through, you had to deal with that too, but your resilience is incredible.
What a beautiful tribute and a BEAUTIFUL life you gave Buddy! I had no idea you could express the bowels of a paralyzed dog, that is amazing and so wonderful of you to do it! We have a rescue dog and though his anxiety can make things like traveling harder sometimes, I would adopt him again and again a million times over. I understand why people want to clone their pets now, hahaha. He brings so much joy and comfort and laughter (and snuggles!) to our life.
Rest in Peace Buddy!
Dear Kris, thank you for the beautiful tribute to your Buddy. Having just lost my Bella begal this past fall I truly share your broken heart. She and I were 1 spirit. We, just like you and Buddy, were at our best when together. I thank you for financially, spiritualy and lovingly giving him all of you. His life was blessed and joyful because of you and your husband. What a gift Buddy gave… As all of God’s creatures do. They show us what unconditional love really is.
I don’t have the words to express how much I appreciate your life with Buddy and your willingness to share in his life, no matter the circumstances. I have done cat rescue/rehab/rehome and have had my share of those moments that didn’t turn out as planned but all the good moments (getting past the barrier of fear, gaining trust, finding that PERFECT home) made it all worthwhile. Thank you from the bottom of my hear.
Sending lots of love your way Kris.
Reading your account brought tears to my eyes and took me back to last year when I, too, was nursing my beloved Cookie when he was at the end of his life. I remember that day when he signaled to me that he was ready to go and no longer wanted to fight. It was hard to accept but I respected his will. Losing him was the hardest thing I ever had to experience in my life. I am so thankful for the unconditional love, for all the joy, and the beautiful friendship he brought into our life. Loving a furry friend is such a journey!!
Not long after he passed, I fell in love with the picture of a puppy I saw in an advert. We were not planing or even ready to embark on a new journey so soon, but when I saw her cute little face, I knew we were meant to be! We named her Molly. I call her my medicine because thanks to her I could heal <3
Thank you for sharing your story. Even though I have been following you for a while, I didn't know about Buddy. Through this article I felt a lot of love for him too. What a blessing you have been in his life and you were blessed through him in return <3
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH FOR SHARINGB YOUR STORY IT TOUCHED MY NHEART & SOUL!!! I LOST MYB STANDARD POODLE IN NOVEMBER 2016 AFTER A HARD YEAR FOR HER DEALING WITH EPILEPSY. THE MORNING OF HER PASSING WE WEREV SOOOO VERY CLOSE VTHAT IN KNEW & FELT BEFORE THEV SEIZURE BEGAN THAT IT WAS COMING ON. I BOLTED FROM MY COMPUTER & YELLED TO MY HUSBAND WHO THOUGHTB I WAS CRAZY AS MY DEAR ANGEL WAS ASLEEP IN HER LAZYBOY (YES SHE HAD HER OWN CHAIR) I NO SOONER CAME DOWN & THE SEIZURE STARTED MORE VIOLENT & MUCH LONGER THAN ALL THE OTHER TIMES. I KNEW SHE WAS LEAVING ME, SHE DIED IN MY ARMS & I WAS INCONSOLABLE. MY POOR HUSBAND DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ME. I LAID HER TO REST IN MY GARDEN… ANGEL HAD COME INTO MY LIFE AV FEW YEARS BEFORE MY MOTHER’S PASSED, MY MOM WHOM I’DV TAKEN CARE OF FOR 15 YEARS EVENTUALLY WENT INTO RESIDENCE WHERE I SPENT MJY DAYS BUT WHEN I CAME HOME MY ANGEL WAS MY COMFORTING & COMPASSIONATE GUIDE LICKING MY TEARS, SHE WAS FOR ME BETTER THAN ANY MEDICATION I COULD’VE HAD. I WILL NEVER,EVER FORGET HER. MAY SHE R.I.P. & I HOPE TO BE WITH HER AGAIN SOME DAY!!! THANK YOU FOR READING MY STORY & FOR SHARING YOURS, HAVE A LOVELY DAY!! :))
KAREN
Sending lots of love your way Karen <3
My Cookie passed in May 2016. He was a poodle too. I feel your pain <3
Thank you for sharing this love story with us. You truly are an amazing, remarkable woman. Not that I forgot, but I was reminded of it today. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Buddy found the right family, for sure. Love and light to you.
Kris, my heart goes out to you. I just went through the same thing! My bunny became paralysed from the waist down a year and a half ago. I also bought him the wheelchair. His chariot. He loved it! He was so agile with it. He even did the flopsy in the thing. For a year and a half he showed me he was still happy to be alive. He gave me so many kisses all day long. He’d wash my whole face every morning. I had to change his diaper and express his bladder every 4 hours so sleep, and travel, became distant memories. No matter. Those kisses more than made up for it. He was the most devoted, appreciative little monkey that ever was. He passed last week. He was battling stasis and I had to force-feed him. I know he was leaving anyway but during the last feed I accidently got an air bubble into him. We were back to square one with the stasis. He was in pain so I gave him pain meds. I’m not sure what exactly took him out, the air bubble or the pain meds but the common denominator is ME. I’M the one who force-fed him giving him the air bubble. I’m the one who gave him the pain meds. Therefore I’m the ONLY one responsible for his death. I know he was leaving anyway. He hadn’t pooped in 4 days. For an already emaciated rabbit, oh he also had a huge tumour on his chest, it’s a miracle he lived that long. And the vet suggested “putting him down” when he first lost use of his legs. I know I know I know. But I still FEEL immense guilt, in addition to the immense loss. His love is what’s healing me. Every time I go to beat myself up, HE pops into my head with those wet eyes brimming with love and all those precious bunny kisses. I can’t help but love him more than I hate myself right now. I know I did everything humanly possible to give him the best life. But in the end, STILL I fucked up and he passed before he was ready. Aw hell, he wouldn’t have EVER been ready. He is as much in love with me as I am him. We did not want to part, ever! 🙁 I’ll never forget him. There will never be anyone remotely like him. And I KNOW I’ll see him again. Still, I grieve. I wish all of you could’ve met Sparkie. He is the most loving soul with a spirit that just won’t quit. Losing a body has no impact on those qualities I’m sure. It’s just that…. I want my boy back. I want to smell his fur and stroke the little curls at the base of his neck. I want those kisses and I want him to lick my skin and then hang out there smelling his spit and my skin. Yeah, he liked to do that. Bunnify me so we could be buns together. 😀 😀 I want HIM ! I want his body back, intact and healthy. I want a do-over. And most of all I want to know FOR SURE that he’s OK and happy and hasn’t reincarnated as a rabbit again because we all now how horribly rabbits are treated by humans. I’m haunted by the what now. So…. I feel your pain. I just went through the same thing. Caring for a special special needs fur baby. On the one hand it is a relief. I can sleep again. Well once I can sleep again. I can travel. Well once I feel like travelling. But I can’t hold my Sparks. And all I really want, is to hold my Sparks again. Oh God this is hard. (((BIG HUGS))) I feel ya sister.
Kris,
I know exactly how you feel, and I couldn’t have put those feelings into words better myself. My husband and I just lost our sweet, beloved cat Smokey. He had kidney disease and high blood pressure for the last four years. This required different medications three times a day, doing anything we could to get him to eat enough, and for the last two years giving sub cutaneous fluids every day. We did everything possible to keep him alive and feeling good for as long as he seemed to want to be with us. People were always amazed at how good he looked despite having stage 3 kidney disease. Like you, I prayed to God to ask if I was doing the right thing, and to guide me to know when it was time to let him go. Then his kidneys finally started to fail and we knew it was time. My amazing vet came to our house and helped Smokey to pass peacefully while lying in my arms in our bed with my husband right next to us. Like you and your husband, my husband and I were unable to have children. But we are both such animal lovers that our animals have always been our children. We love them all, and not any one more than the other, but Smokey was special to us both. I adopted him as an adult cat at a time in my life when it didn’t make any “sense” to take on another pet. But I kept being drawn to him, so I went with my gut. And that cat proved time and again that he was meant to be our cat. I knew that God had given him to us. Then when he got sick I was so distraught. But as you said about your Buddy, I know that one reason (among so many) that Smokey was sent to me was because I was able to take care of him. And I loved him so much that I was willing to do whatever it took. Caring for Smokey taught me more about love than I could have learned otherwise. I had to do everything for him every day, several times a day, no matter how I felt and no matter what else I had to do. My husband and I haven’t been on vacation together in four years. So I know what you mean about your life revolving around your sick baby. Thank you so much for sharing Buddy’s story, with all the details. I’m normally not one to post comments, but I wanted you to know you’re not alone in loving your animals as children. I miss my Smokey terribly every day, but I’m comforted by knowing that he’s not sick anymore. Somewhere in Heaven he is having a great time and waiting for me and my husband to join him.
Kris: you are an inspiration to all man kind!! Buddy was truly blessed to have you and Brian in his life for sure! Fuck any disease out there known to man. You, woman, are a shining light of love and I treasure each time I read what you wrote, see a video with you in it, or see the emails I receive daily. I am blessed to have found your inspiring words of wisdom and your juicing methods for healing!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Beautiful true story! Thank you for sharing it with the world. It’s all about LOVE ?
Kris, I feel for you on many levels. I have a rescue dog who’s been sick… and I don’t have children. There’s nothing that makes my heart hurt more than people who insinuate, “you’ll never know the most meaningful expression of love and sacrifice without being a mom.” I get it. I can only imagine what that love feels like. But, it doesn’t mean I’m incapable of giving deep, selfless love. It doesn’t mean I haven’t had a meaningful life. It means I’ve had to be more creative in where I place my energy (and love). I’ve chosen multiple quests and places to place my love. One of which is my sweet Bisbee, perhaps the most precious teacher of them all… You’re a she-ro in my world. Thank you for showing us what love looks like, on all levels, especially the deepest ones. Bisbee and I send our love to you, Brian, Buddy and Lola… I’m sure she’s missing her Buddy too.
Kris you are so awesome. Knowing how it feels to have to put a loving furry family member down, this brought many sobbing tears to my eyes. I feel your pain, and yet I feel your gratefulness to be able to be the momma of Buddy. Hugs to you, your hubby and to Lola. Thank you for sharing your story and for sharing the journey with Buddy. I loved cheering you all on, it warmed my heart to see Buddy receive so much love that he deserved. ❤
Such a beautiful tribute to such a sweet lil dog. So much love for Buddy! <3
Oh my goodness, I’m bawling my eyes out. I’ve followed Buddy’s story and this just breaks my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss, but reading about the amazing life you gave him and the amazing love he gave you in return is heartwarming to the nth degree. Thank you so much for sharing what must have been a very hard story to write.
This brought me to tears. I am so so sorry for your pain and loss Kris. You are a beautiful beacon of light. Sending as much love as I can to you and your husband. I know this pain. Nothing like it. Light all around you and your beautiful heart.
What a beautiful story, Kris.. (all except for the hunters part… there is no beauty in hunters.. ) I have rescued animals all my life.. the “the old ones, the banged up ones, the misfits and the rebels—the ones who are often overlooked” as you wrote in your blog….. they do have the least chance of adoption and survival in the life they so richly deserve.. more so than the said ‘hunters’ and more so than people in the meat industry deserve.. ok don’t get me started….
Wonderful blog Kris , I rescued a chocolate Labrador ( she had been bred from the age of one and produced many lab pups . ( it’s a complicated story ) she came to live with me when she was six and no more use . I got her spade and we had 10 years together . The last two being very like your experience . I was devestated at having to put her to sleep . Anyway thank goodness we rescued her . Love to you for being a fellow kind soul ( it’s all that matters in the end ) .Mandy xx
I’m so sorry for your loss. I understand the grieving of a pet and it can be very difficult. Thanks for sharing your amazing story!
I’ve been rescuing animals all my life as well, and i know how it feels when you see them getting back to life, and when you have to decide to let them go. I’ve just went through the most terrible month of my life in terms of loosing fur babies, as an unknown virus spread and killed five of my kitties. I’m in debt now, because i tried to cure them all, but i would do it all again. They are members of my famiky, if nor entirely .
Dear Kris, my heart goes out to you! I have adopted to sweet little dogs to add to our pack in the last month in a half. One had been rescued from a well intentioned hoarder, and the other was one of eleven rescued from a puppy mill. We now have four in our little pack all adopted. I also grew up either feeding or bring something home. My parents got me a kitten at the age of 2 who was my first best friend. I can not imagine a life with out them! I currently have a full house, 5 adopted parrots, 3 adopted cats, and 4 adopted dogs. I am very blesssed!
only the ones that have had pets that passed away can feel what it means losing them… Brought tears to my eyes
So sad I had tears rolling down my cheeks as the story reached its conclusion but what a beautiful story. How lucky was that dog to be rescued by you and how blessed you have been to have him in your lives. You’re one of a kind Kris and I suspect your husband is not far behind. Your story touched my heart and I thank you for telling it.
What a beautiful, touching, loving story. You gave Buddy the best years of his life. Thank you for publishing this.
True love! Buddy was a beautiful soul and from the sound of it, the blessings flowed both ways – from him to you and from you to him! My Chester is my BFF and he will forever be my little boy. I was diagnosed w/ stage 3 leiomysarcoma in October ’15. Chester was also diagnosed w/ sarcoma. We both had surgery and recovered together. He is fine now, I’ve had more surgeries and chemo. Chester has been w/me every step of the way! God speed to you!❤
Aw, Kris, what a story of love and compassion…and yes letting go. Thank you for sharing and for your BIG heart.
Oh Kris, sweetheart. I have followed you and Buddy and am so very sorry he isn’t with you any more. I know how much that hurts and so do many others here who are teary eyed after reading this. I think of you and Buddy all the time as I, too, have a big, beautiful angel called Baxter. We rescued him 4 years ago and he has always had mobility problems in 3 of his legs. He, too may need assistance not too far away. Your words resonate so well. Buddy was very blessed to have found you and like you said, he taught you so much just as Baxter is teaching me. I, too, have mobility problems. I have post polio syndrome and as such, similar mobility issues to Baxter. There is a reason we found each other too. It’s as if they are with us to show us how it’s done. I keep telling him not to hurt for me – that he doesn’t need to but he is like Buddy, such a happy and loving boy. My heart swells when I am with him. They will make heaven an extra special place when we get there won’t they? My tears are still flowing Kris. This was hard to write but I will keep your post always because I know it will help me when that day comes. You – and sweet Buddy are such beautiful gifts to the world. Someone read a poem at my Dad’s funeral which said “I haven’t left you – I am just in another room”. I like that don’t you? Thank you Kris. Big hugs and much love to you, and a prayer for your sweet angel, Buddy xxxx
My Dearest Kris,
When I saw you last year at the Hay House Philly conference you spoke about Buddy and you shared his picture as well. My first thought was that Buddy looked frail but his eyes expressed much love and life! I cried then thinking wow, I hope Buddy has more time around here. Of course I cried more today reading about Buddy’s passing but with all that said you both were very lucky to have each other and we are all very lucky to have you in our world because you help take of us and keep us healthy too! You are a precious gift and a true blessing to us all…..what will you find next to love and bring back to life…..hummmmm I wonder……XOXO to you and Buddy and thank you for always being a warrior……Love & Peace…Jan K.
Dear Kris,
I am so moved by your story. Thank you for sharing with such compassion and grace. I am a breast cancer survivor. My husband and I have three rescued cats and a 70lb tortoise! Our love for animals is unconditional, as is yours. The healing power from that bond is such a gift and a blessing. They are there for us through thick and thin, without judgement. Thank goodness for you and Brian. It’s obvious that it was no accident that you showed up on that trail on that day. Thank goodness for Buddy who knew where to be at that exact moment! Love, light and healing energy to you.
Tears…beautiful post. Beautiful Buddy! We were all meant to love-love! Dogs are closer to God because they haven’t forgotten what they were put on earth to do.
Kris, this was the most beautiful blog you’ve ever written! I relate so much having nursed my little Max back to health 6 years ago to give him a few extra good years in him. I am so sorry for your huge loss, but as you know he’s off to bigger & better:) I hope that heart of yours heals soon and the moments of tears become ones of happiness for giving him one damn good life! Thank you for being so vulnerable and opening up and sharing your life with us! I just love you!
xoxo Kim
Sending you lots of love all the way from Austria.
I’m sure you were a miracle to buddy as much as he was a miracle for you.
When my sweet girl passed over, it took me 2 years to really transform the grief. During a meditation, where I sent my pain to the universe, I asked for something in return and I clearly heard the message “love is best remembered by love, not the pain over loss”. And your beautiful words are just that: a celebration of your love for each other.
Thank you for sharing and I’m sending you a million hugs (at least!).
Thank you for this sweet story. ?
Sweet Kris, I’m crying my eyes out, while reading your story. Losing an animal-friend is heartbreaking, and you always wish they could stay a bit longer. Buddy was blessed to find you guys and thanks for taking so good care of him. You were blessed to find him, cause they make us better. Take care and my heart goes out to you!!
Hello Kris, wow, what a heartfelt story. I’m crying my eyes out. I, too, have fur children, lots of them, and they are my loving family. I did not have human children, my husband ( who had been married before ) had a vasectomy before I came into the picture. I made the decision that if it wasn’t going to happen naturally, then it wasn’t going to happen at all. So fur children hold a special place in my heart – although like you I have always been drawn to them. I had guinea pigs, cats, lizards, frogs and many other creatures as pets as a child. Now, of course I still have several cats and a dog and chickens – they are all great. I admire what you did for Buddy, I’m glad for the gifts he gave you, the lessons you learned. I’m so glad you know you will see him again, along with all the other wonderful babies you have loved and had to say good bye to. It doesn’t alleviate the pain but you can see a rainbow through your tears. I’m also so glad you give a passionate plea not just to adopt but to adopt ‘the older ones, the banged up ones, the misfit and the rebels’ – for they truly are angels come to earth in disguise and will teach you the most. Sending you love for your still bruised heart and you miss your beloved Buddy XXoo
Dear Kris,
I am so sorry for your incredible loss. This story you shared was one of the most beautiful, touching and very emotional stories I’ve ever read. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to relive this chapter of your life and grief. What a blessing you found in Buddy and he in you and your amazing hubby. You are an angel here on earth. We need more angels and I am blessed to have found you and read your beautiful posts. Thank you for sharing it all and giving Buddy all the love he so deserved. Keep shining your light, it is so beautiful and so necessary.
xoxo
Giovanna
Wow, what an amazing thing you did for Buddy. To love him like you did, to care for him. They way you would want someone to take care of you if you were sick.
What a beautiful story. I’m sorry for your loss and I thank you for sharing it. This past year, I lost my Scoutie. His dog tag is now my keychain. It’s my way of styaying close to him.
This is such a touching story and a tribute to you and your Buddy. I love my girl, Coco, who is a rescue. She was a feral pup and our first few weeks were definitely a trial for both of us. Now, she is not only the most wonderful dog and friend I’ve ever had, she is also the mayor of our town. There is not a soul here who doesn’t rush out to greet her when we walk through town. As a matter of fact, most folks forget that there’s a human at the other end of the leash. That’s okay. She loves the people and the people love Coco,
❤❤❤
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story about your courageous Buddy. Praying for you and holding my puppies a little closer today.
So sorry for you and your husband’s loss, Kris and so happy for all the wonderful moments you had with beloved Buddy. Bet he enjoyed the movie Elf! xxx
Kris, there aren’t enough words in the world to express my feelings right now. I really just want to send you a great big hug! I have been there, as well. Keep his memories close and allow him to keep rescuing you and keeping you warm and loved.
Run free, Buddy. What a beautiful story of love and compassion.
Thank you, Kris, for being a wonderful example to others and for being an angel for Buddy
Much love
I just love you, Kris.
I shared my life with an angel dog I found running on the busy city traffic loop for 16 beautiful years. He was missing his hair and had mange. Getting him healthy was such a pleasure. I wouldn’t trade one minute of one day of my life with him. When he died in my arms almost two years ago, I honest to God thought I was going to die with him. He was truly my best friend and spirit dog. We are so blessed to know such love, but the goodbyes are something else. Not a single day has gone by that I don’t think of him. I’m sending you so very much love.
Oh Kris…thank you for sharing this. I know what a heart-wrenching decision it is to say goodbye to a very loved dog, but Buddy was truly your miracle and you and your husband were his angels. I am sure you gave him his happiest years–ones he would never have had if you had not found him that day on your hike. Thank you too for touching us all with your words. You write about the raw and difficult challenges many of us face–but with such honesty and light and love. I trust that is healing for you, but please know it is healing for so many of us who follow you. Hope you and your husband are doing alright and remembering your good times with Buddy is solace for you both.
Bless you, Chris, for sharing your beautiful story??
Tears are streaming down my face. Thank you for sharing Buddy’s story. I lost my sweet big boy Chief after he got an infection. I was devastated for weeks and could not get off the couch. It all changed when I had a dream about my beautiful and loving mother who passed 5 years ago. I saw her kneel down, open her arms and call to Chief. “Come here you sweet boy”, she said. He ran to her and was welcomed with a big hug and scratches. It was then that I knew he was in the best, caring hands of My angel of a mom. Hugs to you and your family! Xo Helen
I have 3 rescue dogs and love that you promote adopting rescues every day! I started reading about Buddy (who I have fallen in love with over the past years—from seeing him weekly on your pics and blogs) and I am in tears. I have cried really hard but at the same time know that he had a great life and couldn’t have picked a better mom/dad than you and your husband. Wow…they really do find us! He did good!
I sit at my desk, at work, crying my eyes out and full of love. Angels certainly did send him to that spot on the mountain. Your life with him taught us all a great deal. Love! Hugs! Thank You!
What a powerful story about the healing power of love. Your joy in Buddy, and his in you, is evident in these incredible pics, and in the story of your time together. I defy anyone to read this without feeling their heart expand (in the best way!). Thanks for being you, for the love you showered on Buddy (we need more compassionate people like you!) and for the love, joy and healing you bring into this big, beautiful world.
I’m in tears reading this, but tears of love and understanding. What a beautiful and touching story! I adopted a little beagle who’d been rescued a few years ago, and he is such a joy in my life. Being divorced and an empty-nester, I know someone is always there to greet me at the end of the day. Sending you, Brian and Lola so much love and healing during this time. I know Buddy’s love will live forever in your hearts and memories, until you are reunited again. And I know he took your love with him as he crossed that Rainbow Bridge, grateful for the life and love you gave him <3
Thank you Kris for the beautiful, thoughtful elegy. I traveled this path with several lives of my life. You were indeed a good mom.
Sending you so much love. I think Buddy may’ve been the luckiest dog ever to have literally wandered into your life and heart. I too know the pain of losing such a soulmate but like you, I’d never trade one moment of it. Godspeed Buddy!
So beautifully written Kris. The was my first reading of the day and it touched me so much. It is deeply heartbreaking to lose our furry family. Thank you for giving Buddy such a beautiful life. Sending you love and peace. xx
Hi Kris, you have such a beautiful soul. I’m still crying but also happy that your boy buddy got the opportunity to love and be loved, god bless you.
Kris, Thank you so very much. This was so powerful and moving on such a deep emotional level. I am facing that very same decision with my beloved furbaby at this very moment. Your post made me cry but I know I was meant to read exactly that at exactly this moment in time. Thank you again for being the wonderful, awesome, crazy, sexy person that you are!!!
Kris this is a beautiful blog about Buddy. He would be proud to read those words. I lost my fur baby Sam two days after his 18th birthday. We had been through loads together and both supported each other at the very low times. I will never forget Sam. Sam will be one another fur baby when the time is right. God bless you Kris x
I’m so sorry to hear this Kris. Jenna and I loved Buddy so much – he touched us deeply. We love you!
Mastin & Jenna
So beautifully written Kris.. sending love to You, Brian and all of Buddy’s family and friends xo
It’s 7:30 in the morning and I’m already crying. I adopted four dogs and live every day caring and loving them. They start my day and end my day and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have lost dogs to various diseases like cancer:( but even the pain of losing them will never deter me from adopting more! Dogs are pure love! Thanks Kris for all your posts.
Blessings,Blessings,Blessings Kris and Brian and Buddy.
Such a beautiful tribute to Buddy. I am sitting here with tears running down my face.
I rescued my fur baby 8 years ago from a kill shelter. She is part of the family. My heart is sad for you and your husband. Thank you for sharing Buddy and his journey with us.
Tears! Such a beautiful tribute.
We have only ever adopted our dogs… no breeders for us. Right now we have Scooby, who was brought here from Georgia after a hurricane left her and her litter abandoned. Lucky was a Turks and Caicos street dog. Both have their challenges, but we wouldn’t do it any other way!
Our last pup, Paige (my daughter’s middle name is after her), also a rescue, came to us with a rod in her leg after her previous owners abandoned her and she was hit by a car. Six short years later she developed cancer in her challenged leg. An amputation extended her life by less than a year. Like Buddy, she had a spirit that we just couldn’t put down. With three legs, and a fair amount of pain, she continued to hike, chase squirrels, and romp in the yard. The most difficult thing I ever had to do was put her out of her pain.
I, too, was diagnosed with a stage IV, indolent cancer 6 years ago. Your words… all of them… sang to my heart. God bless.
Kris, So sorry for your loss!! I knew from the subject in your e-mail what this was going to be about, then with the start of the post I thought maybe it wouldn’t go there, then I read DM. I didn’t know if I felt like crying this early in the morning. I remember when you got him. Bless you for taking care of him like you did for so long. And thank you for sharing your story about God’s gift to you and how to find the good in it all. Big hugs!!
Thank you for sharing this story Kris.. It brought me to tears from the beginning to the end.. Thank you and your husband for the love and care you gave him. And thank you Buddy for the love and light you brought into this world.
I send you love and deep gratitude from The Netherlands! xxx
Thanks for sharing your beautiful story! I just cried my eyes out!
thank you kris for sharing the love i am crying and grateful there is so much love here x
Kris and Brian, I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful gift you gave to Buddy at the end of his time just as he gave to you. My heart breaks for you but fills with the goodness you gifted him the last years of his life. It is amazing what happens when we open our hearts to the animals in our lives. They can teach us so much. Blessings to you. Buddy is dancing in that big field in heaven!
dear Kris-
even though i heard you tell the Buddy story on stage a couple years ago- i had to read. so very touching. my love to you and your hubby.
i am in tears after reading about your darling boy, as i have my sweet Magnus, 15 years 7 1/2 months, living his sunset days. i too have changed my lifestyle to be home to care for him. he has a terrible tumor on his chest that requires constant attention. thankfully, i found a safe product that keeps it in check. he has slowed down gradually this past year- but still loves to eat and lie outside in the sun. he makes it up and down the stairs, and gets excited to go for a walk around the block (although this past week a couple days of not eating much, falling down the stairs and sleeping more).
day to day i pray to God for guidance. i hope he will go peacefully in his sleep with grace- but i may have to intervene as you had to, should he begin to suffer.
many blessings to you and keep rocking’ with vibrant health and sharing your wise words!
love and hugs, rhonda
Rhonda,
I just had to put my Weim down almost 3 weeks ago now. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. She was 15 almost 16 like your Sweet Magnus. She was chipper and peppy, but did start to lose that spark and started to sleep a lot too. We knew it was time. I’m so sorry-it so very hard. But, hey how lucky are we that they chose us? Seriously, I don’t regret one single day with my Montana-I’ll love her till the day I die!
Take good care of Yourself and Of Your Best Friend,
Michelle
aren’t you the sweetest- thank you Michelle!
so very sorry about losing Montana. my love to you.
i do believe we are all from Source Energy- all living things. there is no ending- only transformation. it gives me much comfort.
many blessings to you,
love & light,
rhonda
Omgosh u have me bawling in the airport. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Buddy. He was so lucky to have you and your hubby and I loved watching and reading all of your updates about Buddy what a beautiful little soul. My heart breaks for your loss I can so related but he is free and at peace now.❤️????
I’m a weeping mess. Beautiful happenstance that you found each other. Thank you for sharing.
WOWOWOWOW stunning story and how wonderful for all of you. I am also a dog – actually any animal rescuer. and have a beaufiful inspiring but very shortened story to tell about Savannah. She arrived with us – I live outside Johannesburg in a more country area – we call them plots – near a huge “township” where there is a vast amount of poverty and a vast amount of animal abuse. So we get some bad cases who have escaped and sometimes they are in such a bad way I give them a meal and take them to the vet as they have reached the end. Anyway two weeks ago Savannah arrived – literally on her last legs. A skeleton with skin draped over her, her front teeth gone and in the same state Buddy was in when you found him but also covered in mange and ticks. And the most beautiful face and incredible eyes. So we started to feed her – she had to lie down to eat she was so weak and for two weeks we cared for her and she started to recover. But she needed a good home as I have too many and couldn’t not add – I sometimes have up to 8 – so off to a really good shelter we went. They tested for a chip and can you believe we found her owner. She had been missing for 5 years – stolen which is very common here – probably for breeding or fighting – so I arranged to meet with her totally overwhelmed joyous sobbing mother and Savannah recognised her immediately and was beside herself with joy. We were both sobbing and Savannah was beaming and licking. So she is home being pampered and loved and cared back to her former self. She has suffered some terrible abuse looking at her body scarring and of course being starved to on the edge of death but now she will only know love and care in her original home – she was 5 when she was stolen – with the family she loves. This has been soul food and such inspiration and joy for me I like to share it with everybody so we can all have the inspiration and joy in our lives. Lots of love.
Janice Barry, BLESS your LOVING, compassionate, empathetic heart!!!
There’s a special place in heaven for all who LOVE like this.
Debbie Belmonte
Rochester, MI, USA
thank you Debbie, I so appreciate your words to me. they are also an inspiration. Sometimes its so heart breaking but I know I cant ever turn my back. there are so many in Africa. Animals don’t have much status here so there is sooo much abuse. I was in such a hurry to share Savannah with everybody I didn’t say to Kris – thank you for sharing buddy. His story is just as inspiring as savannah. Thank god you found him and could give him a wonderful life. Isnt it amazing how much these beautiful beings give to us in whatever state they are. I find that every single one who comes to me is an inspiration and a joy. And always so courageous. Lots of love.
I am so sorry for your loss, Kris. Thank you for sharing a vulnerable piece of your truly amazing soul. As a very recent cancer survivor, I, too, am faced with the hard reality of never having children. Reading about your unbreakable bond with Buddy has inspired me to have a furbaby too. Thank you. Sending you lots of love and light.
Robyn
Thank you Kris from the bottom of my heart for sharing this incredible heartfelt message of your life and journey with your beautiful boy. The tears streaming down my face are for your loss and memories of my own experience not all that long ago. I have long believed our fur babies choose us and your story only confirms that all the more. What an incredible life you have given Buddy and what amazing riches he gave you in return. My thoughts and love are with you while you mourn. There is no easy way to move past the sadness, but your honest and moving words are truly an inspiring tribute. He will love it ❤xo
The love for Buddy shines through your words and photos, how much more will he have experienced it. I hope this gives you some comfort, and knowing you did the very best for him at all times. Thank you for what you did for him, and your encouragement to rescue animals and not support breeders. There are so many animals who are in dire need of a loving home. Adopting one will make a world of difference to them. The local shelter may also have animals you had not even considered, so if you are not sure if you want a cat or dog, check them out – yo may fall in love with a snake or parrot 🙂
I would also like to add to that encouragement, if you live in the country you may also consider helping wild animals. They have the toughest time. There are orphans who need raising and releasing, injured animals who need rehabilitation, and those who may need a permanent home due to inability to live in the wild. Get in touch with your local animal rescue or wildlife warden. I know in the UK the RSPCA is always happy to home wild animals with the right carer. They may never be pets, but need your love and nurturing. It may not be a case of going to a shelter and picking one, but leaving your details with the rescue service so they can contact you when the need arises. They will also advise you on what facilities you need, like an aviary or kennel, and information on care. Wild animals often have special needs – from a feathered diet for owls to hibernation for hedgehogs.
I’m in tears on the train to work.. what a beautiful story. Thank you for showing Buddy love, compassion and joy.
This is so beautiful Kris. You continue to inspire me in countless ways. Sending so much love and light your way.
xxoo
Kris
You are an Angel on so many levels.
You constantly remind me why we are here.
Thank you
Dear Kris, Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful story. I am in tears…and moved to my core. What an an amazing tribute to Buddy. So soooo much Love and Gratitude for all of the animal companions on this planet who juice up our lives and fill up our souls xx
Oh Kris, sobbing here at this beautiful post. Sending you and your family lots of love xxxxxxx
Oh my goodness. You are a miracle maker. Dear Buddy, so loved RIP.
OMG I am crying so much right now. I’m so sorry for your loss. I remember when you found Buddy and shared his journey to healing with us. We have 3 rescue cats and I’m going to go hug them all right now.
Love you, this story, and your love for Buddy and Life. As a cancer survivor your personal story and delicious recipes continue to inspire and nourish my soul, mind, and heart. Thank you for being you and for sharing your love, faith, and knowledge with us. Deepest sympathies to you and your family. Gentle hugs to all.
I think angel Buddy had an even bigger purpose which was to help you, dear soul Kris, touch even more hearts profoundly. Your heart-felt post moved most of us to tears myself included. I am in awe of how much love and life you and your sweet family have given all of us in your tribe. I am sending much love back to you and Brian for your loss of Buddy.
What a beautiful gift! RIP Buddy.
Thank you so much for sharing. I have tears in my eyes for the life you gave him. ❤️
Love you Kris Carr! Sending you and your family so much love and light. I met you at I Can Do it L.A weekends after you had found buddy and was your first time away from him since you had found each other. You shared the story about how you had met and how you were both learning about boundaries. I was soo happy for you and buddy, even though – at that time – no one was even sure if he was able to recover from his malnourished state. Your love brought him back to life and gave him the beautiful and miraculous second chance to experience love and joy and Lola! Before it was his time to go back home. I loved from far (California) every social media post. Loved every post even before FB had the love button and #gobuddyGO is still one of my fav hashtag. Sending Blessings ~ Andre
Kris Thank you for sharing Buddy with us. I often thought of him daily. We also rescue animals. But Buddy touched our souls like no other, those eyes, that heart. You all were lucky to have had each other. God Bless you
I love this story! Thank you so much for sharing. God Bless you, your husband, and Buddy’s little sister!
Kriss Carr – you are an incredible human being and have inspired me many times, so much love to you hon,
What a wonderful tribute to Buddy! I can relate to so many things you shared. We have no children to bless our lives and have always had four legged babies. Our Dasani (12..soon to be 13 yr old Miniature Schnauzer) is our miracle dog and every day he is here is a blessing. He suffered a spinal injury at 4yrs old and has worn shoes on his left paws ever since. We did hydro-therapy for months to get his strength built up. 2 years ago today he was diagnosed with diabetes. We give daily insulin shots and measure food and exercise. It is a full-time job to keep up with all the nuances of this disease. But do you think this stops him from his daily mile walks….no….he is the life of the neighborhood, and just has a true love of life and everything that comes with it. We miss many functions due to strict insulin/food timelines and travel is at a minimum, work only. My husband or myself will stay behind to care for him, or my Mom (angel on earth) will help when she can. But the lessons in love, patience, perseverance, kindness and compassion that he has taught us and continues to teach us, I’m so grateful for everyday and pray constantly for the gift of being able to care for him.
Thank you for sharing your love story with us, it is beautiful. So sorry for your loss Kris.
Dear Kris,
I’m crying, feeling the love in every word of yours. Your writing is so beautiful, I feel like I know Buddy personally. He sure was an angel bringing love and joy to this world. I’ve cried out of joy before reading this post because there is a tiny baby growing inside of me and it’s such a f*** miracle! It only hit me today fully, I guess. And now this. Life is so beautiful, even with sickness and death in it – because love is bigger, love is louder. And if we look closely, we’ll find it anywhere – even in our darkest hours. Thank you so much for sharing this, Kris!
Congratulations <3
I don’t even have pets, but I could not stop reading, tears running down My face. Thank you for sharing. All My Love to you- Constanze from Sweden
What an amazing tribute to Buddy and a great testimony of the love & trust that can develop from the most unexpected sources. Bless you for sharing the joy & sadness with us in your uniquely honest way. Our 2 shelter kitties waited 2 years at a “No Kill” shelter before joining our family. We too have been forever changed by them both. Sending healing thoughts and love. ???
Oh my goodness, you amazing lady Kris Carr. What a lucky lucky boy Buddy was to find you and your husband. It sounds like he had an amazing life. I have two dogs and really do love them like children. Your struggle with accepting not being able to have children touched my heart so much as I had loads of fertility treatment to have mine and tried to face the thought that it may not happen. I’ve recently enjoyed being part of your fab CSY program and testing group and can genuinely say you’re one of my all time heroes. Much love. Need to stop crying now!
Oh Kris.
I loved you before, but now….oh my.
You guys are all in my heart forever. xx
Oh Kris, bless you. ❤️
Oh God, I feel so imotional having read this… We had to make the hard decision to put our lovely dog Max down last year aged 15…. he made us laugh out loud so times…. Still feel I can see him in the garden patiently waiting for his much loved walk daily….?
Kris, so very sorry for you and your hubby? I know first hand what it is like to loose a fur baby, best friend in the whole world. I am inspired by your attitude and courage once again, you are an amazing soul who teaches all of us lessons. God Bless you and I know there is a cute fur baby out there waiting to be found by the two of you once again!!???
Kris
Thank you for sharing your love and Buddy
Your story touched my heart deeply as did your plea for adopting and rescues
my last three animals were all adoptions who brought joy and so much love with them and join you in your encouragement to adopt and or rescue .
I am crying reading this post and I don’t cry easy. What a sweet and inspirational story. Thank you for writing and sharing your journey with Buddy.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog! Thank you for sharing. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Buddy will always be watching over you.
Oh my gosh I’m bawling. You and your husband are something special my girl. Thank you for sharing. xo
Oh Kris, I’m so so sorry for your loss. Buddy was absolutely meant to find you guys, what a blessing. I actually found my dog in a similar way…. I had been telling the universe I wanted a furry friend, and on a totally random bike-ride to the park (which I rarely did) there he was! Dirty and thin, but still bopping around pretty happy. He followed me home, and when I couldn’t find anyone looking for him, be became mine 🙂 Similarly to Buddy, he still has a hard time with loud noises and sudden movements, which has been a huge growing and learning experience for me too. So much love to you <3
Thank you so much, Kris for this beautiful post and incredible story. Just made my day and helped my grieving heart for a son who is profoundly unwell. Bless you!
I love your story, thank you! I wish I could adopt a rescue cat, but I’m allergic so I would have to get a Siberian cat from a breeder.
Elizabeth, ALL KINDS of cats end up in shelters. Please check with your local shelters, and online for breed-specific rescues.
Excuse me, but I HAVE. There are wait lists in the Boston area for hypoallergenic cats and you need proof that you’re allergic from an allergy test.
That really doesn’t seem like too much work!
If you really do want that cat and don’t have one, you’re already waiting…what’s a little more time?
No, I mean you have to wait for one and get allergy tested for the breeders in Boston. That’s fine, my point is that it’s very unlikely I would find one at a shelter, so I just didn’t appreciate Kara’s wording of her comment. Of course I would love to adopt a rescue cat if I could. If you find a Siberian rescue online, feel free to send me the link here, but I challenge you to it if you think it’s that easy.
Oh gosh, Elizabeth, I didn’t mean to cause offense! It’s great that you’re doing the work to try and adopt 🙂
Kara, I’m sorry too, I shouldn’t have taken your comment in the wrong way. And I was wrong, I guess there are a few Siberian rescue cats online, I will see of they can be flown over to me!
So sorry for your loss ??. Thanks for sharing your rescue and love story. You are a true inspiration and a real blessing. I trust Buddy is over-the-moon howling his love for you and your husband. Bless you!
Thank you for sharing!! God bless you…..
Love & light
A beautiful story to celebrate lives well lived, loved and shared with gratitude and compassion.
Thank you so much for sharing this story, with your characteristic raw honesty and emotional bravery. Lucky lucky Buddy to be rescued and nurtured for his final years by such a loving, generous and supportive family. His story and your telling of it moved me to tears in my bed this morning. Your story resonates on so many levels: I have been nursing my senior greyhound for the past few months after a seriously broken leg, and complication after complication, all the while juggling the concerns about his quality of life Vs my potential selfishness in continuing to pursue treatment. I absolutely loved the humour of the vegan at the butcher’s. I’m another vegan who has found the only way to keep weight on a dog allergic to soy, gluten and all grains, is the olfactory horror of beef tripe…. Kris, my fondest wishes to you, Brian, and Lola and thanks for the love you gave to Buddy.
Bless you Chris. I identify deeply with this-from the bit your wrote about children, to your dear sweet pup, your profound love for him, and the healing these sweet beings bring to our hearts. Bless you ?
You always leave me feeling privileged to be alive. love and Blessings to you.
a true love story — so well expressed how giving means always getting, and not the other way round! You also tell a story about the fact that there is no difference, no hierarchy between human-human relationship and human-animal relationship… thank you for sharing, from the heart C
Bless you Kris, I’ve read this in my bed first thing in the morning and I too started my day crying shamelessly ! I know exactly what you mean by miracle: it was the same for me and my rescue cat Amneris. And then I met a horse, it was love on the first sight (I knew nothing whatsoever about horses) and our relationship brings me huge amounts of healing and joy. Thank you for the love and light you’re sharing with us. De tout cœur Roxane from France
OMG this is such a tear jerker. TY for sharing. We can relate to sharing the love with an unwanted Beagle. We found her at a LI shelter that rescued her from a kill shelter in the Carolinas. She was 2 1/2 then, and we’ve been living with her for 2 1/2 more. Her needs were mostly emotional and has recovered from the fears and nightmares she initially demonstrated. Ginger is now one happy, healthy, and very loved canine. She has truly enhanced our lives, and she easily continues to strengthen our love for her.
Oh sweet Kris, I’m soaked in tears reading this even knowing deep in my gut Buddy must have passed a while back, but your heartfelt sharing of the details is another level of knowing. Sending you and Brian, as well as all the helpers so much love, and also darling Lola who must be feeling this change very much. You are an inspiration in so many ways to me Kris, and I am forever changed by your stories of joy, dedication and also the sorrows of this miraculous relationship with Buddy. xoxo