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Katherine Selber's avatar

Life was beautiful for loving Bucky and having him around. He lived with me 3 times and these last 6 months I have felt blessed. He was a friend to my dogs- Ms River, Styx, and Tara-- they loved Bucky too. Bucky was special. He was persistent -- in all things-- even when he couldn't get around anymore. The breed plus his unique personality. My house was quite the day after Bucky crossed the rainbow bridge. He even in sickness insisted on things he wanted and would not let go of it--like the German Shepherd next door that regardless of how poorly Bucky could get around he let that dog know he could tear down the fence if needed. I loved seeing how much Bucky loved you. You were his "human" and I was just a "stand in" lol It made me smile. The only good thing besides how much he loved was that now he is up there running freely and with Pops and all of the rest of our dogs before him. Bucky -- you're off the watch now and wait at the gate when it's my turn big boy. Love you forever.

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Lisa J. Miller's avatar

Awww. I'm so sorry for your loss Will. That was such a beautiful tribute!! Pets ARE family. ♥️🐾

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Tita's avatar

My vet was weeping for his old dog who always came to work with him. The vet said”I am blessed that we were both on earth at the same time together” co

Fortune when my old beloved cat died

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Kathleen Weber's avatar

Yes. All the dogs come from heaven and then they go back.

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Fran B.'s avatar

Wonderful tribute and photos. I hope you didn't make Bucky Boy fast on Yom Kippur. He is a beautiful pup.

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marypaz's avatar

Just think what a wonderful reunion it will be when we meet up with them again. An onrush of fur and wet kisses and huggable bodies greeting us on the other side. I miss all of the animals who shared their lives with me, be they furry, feathered, or scaly. Just thinking of them makes me happy and sad. I am sorry for your loss of a dear friend, Will. You wrote a beautiful tribute.

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Gina Long's avatar

I am so sorry for your loss. Bucky was, clearly, the best boy. ❤️

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Lady Emsworth's avatar

Kipling really knew dogs. Did you ever read "Dinah in Heaven"? I'm sure it applies to Bucky, too:

"She did not know that she was dead,

But, when the pang was o'er,

Sat down to wait her Master's tread

Upon the Golden Floor,

With ears full-cock and anxious eye

Impatiently resigned;

But ignorant that Paradise

Did not admit her kind.

Persons with Haloes, Harps, and Wings

Assembled and reproved;

Or talked to her of Heavenly things,

But Dinah never moved.

There was one step along the Stair

That led to Heaven's Gate;

And, till she heard it, her affair

Was—she explained—to wait.

And she explained with flattened ear,

Bared lip and milky tooth—

Storming against Ithuriel's Spear

That only proved her truth!

Sudden—far down the Bridge of Ghosts

That anxious spirits clomb—

She caught that step in all the hosts,

And knew that he had come.

She left them wondering what to do,

But not a doubt had she.

Swifter than her own squeal she flew

Across the Glassy Sea;

Flushing the Cherubs everywhere,

And skidding as she ran,

She refuged under Peter's Chair

And waited for her man.

* * *

There spoke a Spirit out of the press,

'Said:—"Have you any here

That saved a fool from drunkenness,

And a coward from his fear?

"That turned a soul from dark to day

When other help was vain;

That snatched it from Wanhope and made

A cur a man again?"

"Enter and look," said Peter then,

And set The Gate ajar.

"If I know aught of women and men

I trow she is not far."

"Neither by virtue, speech nor art

Nor hope of grace to win;

But godless innocence of heart

That never heard of sin:

"Neither by beauty nor belief

Nor white example shown.

Something a wanton—more a thief—

But—most of all—mine own."

"Enter and look," said Peter then,

"And send you well to speed;

But, for all that I know of women and men

Your riddle is hard to read."

Then flew Dinah from under the Chair,

Into his arms she flew—

And licked his face from chin to hair

And Peter passed them through!

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Eric Terzuolo's avatar

Deeply sorry. I’ve been there. Dogs are part of why I stay open to some idea of an afterlife. A place to commune again somehow with all the creatures you’ve loved and been loved by.

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