Buddy Flynn

WENT PEACEFULLY TO RAINBOW BRIDGE on 10th JANUARY 2019

Buddy was an amazing little dog. He was such a happy boy; his tail never stopped wagging and he did win a wagggiest tail competition. I know we gave him the best life possible and we will keep all the memories safe.

Dave from English Springer Spaniel Welfare contacted me after I had applied for another dog.

He had rescued a “4 year old” from Essex on his last day in the pound. I said he would be too young for Casey (IRR Retriever who was about 13yrs by then). He persuaded me to go and see this “biddable” dog – well, I was never going to come away without him was I?

Buddy was more like a 6 or 7 years old with fatty lumps and a bit of clouding in the eyes but, otherwise, he was super fit. He used to run the length of a field (which I believe is something a gamekeeper’s dog may do to keep the game in the field) and his pace was always busy, even after two vestibular attacks.

It has not been a great time for me after sorting Polo’s cancer only to find, months afterwards and after extensive tests, that Buddy was suffering with an untreatable, secondary cancer in his chest. Polo is the total opposite to Buddy. He totally ignores what you ask him to do and doesn’t appear to have had any training at all! He has what us humans would say is a stubborn streak – if he doesn’t want to go somewhere or do something, he won’t but he is a big softie with not an aggressive bone in his body and he is also a very calm, gentle lad.

I remember what an absolute joy Buddy was to own. His training was exceptional – he never questioned anything anyone asked of him and, even when he went deaf, he understood hand commands. He would do a remarkable “high five” for anyone who asked (both paws, one after the other until he got his treat!) and “Buddy hugs” were legendary! He would throw his head at yours and rest it on your shoulder for as long as you wanted. Everyone who met him loved him – including two reactive dogs! and, in the four years I had him, he appeared in the ESSW calendar for three of them, being cover boy in his first year!

Buddy carried on enjoying his walks right up until his last day and he left us as he had behaved since we had him – peacefully and without fuss. He was an absolute gem of a dog.

Have fun at Rainbow Bridge with Casey and Twinkle and all the other IRR furkids xx