7 1/2 years ago on my birthday (2/25) we brought the newest member of our family home, Buddy. I still can't believe we brought him home, he was completely psychotic at the shelter. Once we got him outside he was a little better and seemed to get along with our old dog, Merc. We just couldn't resist his cute face, expressive eyes and even the one ear that wouldn't stand all the way up like it should. After bringing him home, he was a completely different dog. He immediately calmed and seemed at peace, knowing this was his forever home. You see Buddy was so ecstatic to get out of the shelter because he had been there for two years. We adopted him from the Washington Animal Shelter which at the time was a no kill shelter, hence his long stay there.
Buddy had the most expressive face on a dog, his eyes just talked to you. He would let you know if he was sad, mad, curious (with that little tilt of his head) or just plain happy. We often wished we had changed his name to Chewy (from Star Wars) because he would talk just like Chewy.
Buddy was also the most loving dog. He could be happy being petted or just touched or somehow just touching you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He was my reliable foot warmer in the winter and he would even let you hold his head and touch noses with you. He was totally tolerable of the kids and would let you hug his whole body and I have even been known to spoon him. He would always sleep with me when Brian was gone for a trip, making sure I felt safe. Ok, enough of the sad stuff, on with the funny stories!
So, those of you who knew Buddy or know us well have probably heard some of his hilarious stories. We would like to share a couple of these with all of you and hope they bring a smile to your face as they did and still do to us.
Playing Opossum: One nice summer evening on Briar Drive in Iowa City, Amy and I are watching television in the living room with the windows open when we suddenly hear a unusual and loud whistling noise coming from the back yard. Buddy and Merc were out in the backyard, and when I flipped on the back light I saw good ol' Buddy with his head and snout up in the air and a 10' section of drain tile straight up in the air and stuck on his nose. The noise being the whistling sound of the pipe swinging around in the air as Buddy is whipping his head in a circle. I run out to see what is going and take the pipe off of his nose. When doing so I realize the pipe is heavier than it should be. I slam the pipe down, lift it up, and lying on the ground is a opossum which Buddy was obviously trying to get a hold of. The opossum laid there as always described, completely silent and with no movement. All of the sudden, Budster comes running by and swoops the opossum up in his mouth running around the yard like a chicken with its head off. Classic!
Bud......Wei......Sser: The setting is the 2002 Super Bowl party at our house again on Briar Drive. With the obvious cold weather we had all the guests put their drinks on the back deck. Being it was a Super Bowl most of these beverages were beer, with many different brands being represented. Nearing the end of the first half one of my friends and co-worker, who had a few too many drinks by that time, ran over to me and asked where his beer was. I responded by telling him it was on the deck where he put it. He insisted that it was no longer on the deck and he had a whole 12-pack of Bud Light that should have been out there. I figured he had just been drinking too much and was crazy. So, I went out on the deck with plans to find his beer and showing him he was wrong when I too witnessed the Bud Light was no longer there. All the other beer in place, but no Bud Light. I look out in the middle of the back yard and there is good ol' Budster lying in the snow chewing and drinking on a 12-pack of Bud Light. Fang marks poked into numerous cans and Buddy having a grand Super Bowl Party. Classic!
#2: Last but not least, this one is a little gross but has to be told. Amy and I are downstairs getting the twins to bed at the Briar house while Taylor is upstairs getting ready by going to the bathroom. She comes over to the stairs and shouts to us that she got out a big poop in the little Elmo potty, in which I responded by telling her great job and to go dump it in the big toilet. A few minutes later she comes back to the stairs and yells that "It is gone!". I was like what do you mean it is gone???? A few minutes later Buddy comes wandering over to the top of the stairs licking his chops. Yummy!
Buddy was a great dog and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his step-sister Holly, foster parents Amy and Brian, and foster children Taylor, Kinnick, and Carver. There were a lot of tears shed this afternoon as we lost a great friend and companion. However, deep inside we know that God is now taking care of Buddy and soon he will be playing with his old friend Merc and getting reacquainted with his parents. As my beautiful daughter said the other day, 'I think Buddy will be happy to go to heaven so he can get to see what God looks like. I think God will be happy because he will love to have a dog like Buddy to pet.' We love you Buddy! Rest in peace.
Buddy "Budster" Boelk
2/25/98-8/7/08
Not that there is anything wrong with that.......
Taylor in front of her school
Taylor heading off to her class with her new teacher Mrs. Hamilton
Besides the tire swing, the trampoline was another favorite
And well, my boys can't go anywhere without causing a little excitement. Though this pool may have not been ready and fit for swimming Carver really didn't care as he dives in head first with all his clothes on. Of course, Kinnick laughed hysterically and soon joined in with his own belly flop. Thanks to Caiden for lending us some clothes for the ride home!
