Memories of Butchie

"I splurged on some pale yellow 600 thread count sheets and when I came out of the shower he was luxuriating on them. Usually he sleeps on top of the quilt but the soft sheets beckoned him and he had the most beauteous expression on his face."

* * * * * * *

"Many years ago when Butchie was little more than a puppy he saved my life. I was cooking and I put the gas on low and went to lie down because I had a migraine headache. The kitchen window was open and the wind blew out the light so the gas fumes were seeping out all over the house.

"Butchie kept barking and pulling on my sleeve but I was overwhelmed with drowsiness and couldn't get up. He wouldn't stop till he got me up and I thought he had to go out so I managed to stumble to the door and when I was hit with a blast of cold air I knew that something was wrong.

"Then I remembered that I was cooking soup and noticed that the flame was out. I turned off the gas, opened the windows and got the birds out of the house and my other dog, Becky, who was also groggy and overcome by the fumes.

"Butchie saved all of our lives."

* * * * * * *

"Not only did he save my life he changed my life as well. He made me a better person. Butchie made friends with everyone. People would stop to pet him and they would talk to me and I actually talked to them. He brought people into my life. He made me be friendly.

"I had never realized how good it was to be liked and to have people come over to have a cup of coffee or tea. I love Butchie to distraction so the fact that he wanted friends and people in his life made me want that too.

"He showed me how to be a friend. He was my teacher. I only wanted to be the kind of person who deserved to have a dog like him and I changed profoundly."

* * * * * * * .

"Today when he was in the yard he did a little exploring and walked pretty far. He is a nosy boy and loves to see what's going on all over the cul de sac. Everyone loves him and he gets all kinds of ear rubs and petting from the neighbors. The mail-lady even brings our mail right to the door and rings the bell just so that she can see him every day. He is so blessed to be so well-loved."

* * * * * * *

"He loves the grass and usually he picks out a sunny spot and suns himself for about 20 minutes and when he has enough he walks right to the door (his way of telling me he wants to go in). It was rainy most of the day and he didn't get to bask in the sun and he was moody all day. My Mom had Alzheimers and she suffered with sundowners (when the sun went down she got confused and sometimes agressive). I think Butchie has a touch of it because he needs a good dose of sunlight to keep the grin on his face."

* * * * * * *

	"Now that Butchie is 10 years old I treasure these moments even more than before because I know that time is running out. I've been so frightened since he was diagnosed with heart failure but also so grateful to have had 10 years to love him and care for him." * * * * * * *
		"Butchie may not be the most dignified senior Bully in the world but he has the "serene" part down pat. You know how they say when babies gurgle and coo that they are talking to angels, well when Butchie is sleeping he looks so peaceful that I know he's dreaming about angels. He gets the most beatific look on his face, one of pure comfort, joy, and peace. He's my angel. God Bless Him." * * * * * * *
"I am trying to make the time he has left a heaven on earth. He wants for nothing. He's even more pampered and loved than ever and he looks up at me with those beautiful grateful eyes and it melts my core. He's a charmer." * * * * * * *
		"I just read this little book called "For Every Dog an Angel" by Christine Davis and I quote..... " "From time to time, when a certain person and a certain dog meet, something happens that is just like magic! It is as if they have known each other before. Each knows what the other is thinking and feeling. They will be together always. And the Guardian Angel watches over the two with love, knowing their dog has found its forever person and the person has found its forever dog." "Butchie is my "forever" dog and nothing, not even the barrier that separates life and death, can ever change that." * * * * * * *

If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went. ~~Will Rogers
		"Butchie is my perfect love and I truly believe that he is really an Angel in disguise. I've always believed that. It might be almost time for him to get his wings back and change another person's life and that person will be the luckiest person in the world." * * * * * * *
Walk With An Old Dog Because you will not be forever, Hope against time though I may, Paint your picture in my memory, Eyes blue with age, muzzle gone gray. Because you walked with me in Springtime, Puppy-clumsy, running free. As you grew, we grew together-- You became a part of me. Because I shared with you my sorrows, Not understanding-- simply there. Often spurring me to laughter-- My friend, you know how much I care.		Because the years have slowed your fleetness, Though your spirit still is strong. I promise I will take more time now, So that you can go along. Because you do not fear the future, Living only in the now, I draw strength from your example-- Yet time keeps slipping by somehow. Because the day will soon be coming When I will no longer see You rise to greet me - but in memory You will always walk with me. -Gayl Jokiel-

	"When Butchie was a puppy he was so pudgy and so cutesy that we called him Pudsey and that name stuck for a long time. Then somehow it morphed into Puddy and when he was older it morphed again into Puddy-Man. Now we call him Manny because he's our little "man." * * * * * * *
		"Falling asleep in a big carton on the day we moved into our house in Florida. That was his way of helping us unpack." * * * * * * *
"So what's the little guy doing now -- sleeping. Perhaps dreaming of his younger days when he could run and play. He is such a good and kind dog -- I'm always humbled in his presence. I wish I were more like him." * * * * * * *