Thank you Buffy. You've been a beautiful part of our family.

This lovely face.

Today has been a sad day for our family, but it comes after years of joy and delight. Buffy, our beautiful border collie / kelpie cross has died. 

We adopted Buffy and her brother Dash in March 2010 when we lived in Warburton. Together they enjoyed swimming in the river, chasing tennis balls, long walks along the aqueduct trail, and sometimes chasing deer into the forest!

 

Dash and Buffy

Sadly, Dash died as the result of a snake bite in our back yard. He was doing his bit to protect his patch of ground and those who lived there. But it was costly. 

It took Buffy a while to get used to life without her brother, but it wasn't too long before we began to see a different side to her personality. And it has been delightful. 

Catching her breath in younger days

Over the last year, we have seen the walks begin to get slower and shorter. Trouble with her legs meant a visit to the vet, and with some amazing medication she was able to walk freely and enjoy walking with us for a number of months. But some things cannot be stopped entirely. 

We have watched her lose much of her hearing, and then her beautiful brown eyes began to lose their colour and vigour. In the last few weeks, her back legs were starting to fail. 

It was time. 

Life is good at the beach

 Looking back through some photos today, it has been wonderful to remember when she was able to run, chase, and swim. It's good to remember her as a dog who has grown out of a silly puppy stage but is full of life and energy. We remember the day during a holiday in Casterton that Buffy went crazy barking at a statue of a kelpie. Or a beach holiday at Venus Bay and how much fun she had running along the beach. Or a holiday at Nicholls Point and how much she enjoyed chasing a ball and swimming with us in the river. 

And I remember how excited she would be when we would come home from anywhere. 

Buffy, if we were your first owners you would probably have a different name. Regardless of that, we are glad you have been part of our family. Thank you for sharing your love with us and, perhaps without realising it, showing God's good grace. 

Those beautiful eyes

 Finally, a big Thank You to Dr Harry from Thrifty Vet. His care and kindness have been amazing. 

Some final photos. January 6 2019