Ginnie canceled her doctor’s appointment so she could go with me to Buddy’s vet appointment. Uh-oh. Buddy is 15 and has had a heart murmur for the last couple of years. Lately he’s had to wear the “cone-of-shame” to keep him from licking his paws until they bleed and become infected. Buddy is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a French breed that won Best of Show at the Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show a couple of years ago.

How did I come by Buddy? Buddy is a rescue dog from the Brighton/Wayland area. The Mayor’s wife of Wayland operated an informal animal shelter. I had recently put Holly, my daughter’s Jack Russell Terrier, to sleep, was going through a divorce, and needed a pet. The Mayor’s wife was a client of mine. She told me about Buddy, and who was temporarily caring for him. Buddy was around a year old and was on a farm outside of Brighton. I went to see Buddy, although he wasn’t called Buddy then. He was Buster or Freddie, something like that. When I rolled onto the farm and Buster/Freddie ran up to my car, I knew I wanted him. On the way home, he curled up to me and put his head on my lap. We bonded, and he became Buddy. He’s everybody’s Buddy.

The couple in Brighton who were caring for Buddy, have followed my stories about Buddy in the newspaper over the years. I’ve stopped at their farm at least once, when I’ve had Buddy with me, to show them how he’s doing. At a restaurant a year or so ago, the lady from the Brighton farm came up to me and said, “We’re the ones who gave you Buddy. We follow you in the newspaper.” That was nice.

The vet listened to Buddy’s heart. “It’s all over the place,” he said. “In and out of A-Fib.” Buddy’s cough had gotten terrible. He was obviously suffering. I made the tough decision. Ginnie freaked. “We can’t do this!” she cried. “Buddy is the best dog I’ve ever had.” But she realized we couldn’t let Buddy suffer any longer.

We were able to hold Buddy while he got the injections, and say good bye to him. If the ground wasn’t frozen, I would have brought Buddy home to bury him on the Empty Nest Farm. We opted for cremation. We now have a beautiful little wooden box with Buddy’s ashes and his name engraved on the box, and a plaster cast of his paw print. Tear jerker.

It wasn’t that long ago Buddy caught a rabbit, at the age of 15, with the “cone-of-shame” on. No one believes this but it’s true, Ginnie as witness.

We could leave Buddy at home by himself if we were going somewhere, for 12 – 16 hours, and he never had an “accident.” He’d be dancing when we got home, though. He was with me/us through thick and thin. He was the best dog. Rest in peace, Buddy Boy. We love you.

Curt is teaching Creative Writing in their home again this year on the Empty Nest Farm east of Mt. Pleasant, starting in January. There have been some amazing successes sprout from this class, with books published, screen writing accepted and even a movie offer and acting gig. We meet for six Saturday afternoons, starting on Jan. 10. The class is limited to six students. Fee is $300. In-class participation is preferred, but there is a Zoom option in case of inclement weather or for people who have to travel great distances. Have you always wanted to write? Here’s your opportunity. To sign up contact Curt Swarm at 319-217-0526, call or text, or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt teaches Creative Writing like he was taught at Iowa State University. Everyone submits writing each week and the class critiques. You have immediate feedback of your writing by your peers.

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Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt is available for public speaking.