In memory of Buck

For the second time I find myself using Spencer's blog for something not entirely Spencer. But, this is Spencer related as it relates to our family. And unlike the other not-entirely Spencer blog, this post makes me very sad.

On Saturday, December 8th we said goodbye to Buck, our 4-year old Rottweiler. Buck (AKA Bucket and Buckaboo) was diagnosed with kidney disease when he was around 9 months old. We were devastated by the diagnosis but vowed to give him the best life possible in the time we had. We immediately started him on a special diet, and followed our veterinarian's instructions every step of the way...because of his medical problems we often referred to him as the 'most expensive pound puppy ever'. The vets gave him a 3-4 year lifespan, but I thought for sure OUR dog would be the one to defy veterinary science and live 10 years with kidney disease. But that did not happen. As predicted, his kidneys failed on him after about 4 years. Within about 2 weeks time Buck stopped eating, and in his last couple of days he could barely get up to go outside. We had already lost the Buck that we knew and loved. Unfortunately that did not make it any easier.Buck was a fun-loving, goofy dog. Most everyone who came into contact with him loved him. Buck had many favorite activities, including swimming at the lake at Stone Mountain, chasing balls in the backyard, and taking family walks around the neighborhood. Fred said that he thought the lake would get Buck before his kidneys did. Buck would swim out after a stick and sometimes he would miss it, swimming farther and farther out in search of the stick. We would tell each other that whichever of us had thrown the stick would have to go in after him. Usually we just got his attention and thew another stick that he could grab and swim back with. He would then stand in the water whining until we threw his stick again.




Buck also loved playing in the backyard. The game was Buck chasing a ball, and Oso chasing Buck (oddly enough our lab mix has never had interest in balls or water). They would also chase each other around the yard. Often they were so rambunctious in the house that we would have to kick them outside. I know Oso feels this loss as well.

No matter how big Buck got, he always thought he was a lap dog. He would try to get as close to us as possible, and would try to crawl into our laps any chance he got. Even when he got to be 95 lbs (which is small for an adult male Rottweiler, probably due in part to his special diet) he thought he was a lap puppy. One of his favorite spots to lay was under the coffee table. It was pretty funny to watch him crawl under the coffee table, but much less funny when something excited him and he jumped up, taking the coffee table and all of our drinks with him.

Buck was very smart, if a little crazy (he loved catching bubbles and chasing after light reflections). He got straight A's in his dog classes, and his teachers all loved him.

Buck was great with Spencer. We knew that Buck was not good with kids, and were very worried when we found out we would be having a baby. But we didn't have to worry, as Buck and Oso both quickly learned Spencer's rank in the house...above theirs! Buck tolerated Spencer well, and when he didn't want deal with him he just got up and walked away. There was never a problem though of course we were always vigilant.
Buck was just a crazy, beautiful, loving, friendly, goofy dog. He is incredibly missed by all of us. In 4 short years he managed to integrate himself into our lives and our hearts. There will never be another Buck.