It has taken me some time to find the strength to write this. On September16th, we said goodbye to our sweet black lab, Buddy, and my heart has been shattered ever since.

Buddy wasn’t just a dog. He was my soul dog—the one who changed me, who taught me patience, and who made me a better person. For over 10 years, he was my constant companion, my protector, my sounding board, and my very best friend.

When I first rescued Buddy, he came to me with a prolapsed rectum, which meant he always sat a little funny. That was one of the first things that made him uniquely him. Buddy was never the kind of dog who gave his love away freely. He made you earn it. And while some dogs are eager to greet every stranger with a wagging tail, Buddy wasn’t like that—he was cautious, discerning. But once he decided you were his person, you had his whole heart forever. I am so lucky that I was his person.

Every single day, when I came home, Buddy would be there waiting for me. He had to jump up and give me a kiss—it was his little ritual, our ritual. And oh, that kiss meant the world to me. If for some reason he couldn’t jump, he would side-eye me and sass me with his quirky little bark-growl until I knelt down and let him kiss me anyway. That was Buddy in a nutshell: stubborn, sassy, and full of love, all wrapped up in one beautiful soul.

Now, the silence when I walk through the door feels deafening. I will always miss that first kiss, his expressive eyes, and the way his quirky, sassy voice seemed to say exactly what he was thinking.

Buddy taught me patience. He taught me that love isn’t always instant—it’s built through trust, consistency, and showing up for each other every single day. And in return, he gave me a love so deep and true that it’s hard to put into words.

My heart is broken, but it is also full of gratitude. Gratitude for every year, every moment, every kiss, and every lesson Buddy gave me. I will always carry him with me.

Run free, my sweet boy. I will love you forever and miss you always.