cavalover
Well-known member
It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write this posting. On April 20[SUP]th[/SUP], our beloved Butters lost his battle with Masticatory Muscle Myositis. At the tender age of 1 year and 10 months, he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. He waited just long enough to meet his buddy, Leon, our first-born son. Even with his failing health, he was just as much the loving fur-brother we expected him to be. He maintained that special loving nature until the very end, as he passed away in our arms.
IQ7R1606 by LSidari, on Flickr
However, it is his life, not his death, that we would like him to be remembered by. In August of 2012, my husband finally gave in to my incessant requests to add a little cavalier to our family. We had found a breeder through an extensive search, but had yet to pull the trigger and actively pursue adopting one of our own. My husband reluctantly agreed to pursue the breeder, fully expecting that a puppy would not be available for some time. However, to our surprise, one little puppy was available… the pick of the litter… a tiny Blenheim.
Baby butters by LSidari, on Flickr
Despite my husband’s trepidation, he could not help but watch over and over the little dog on the flip video sent by the breeder. This little furball, playing “fetch” on the video, grabbed a tossed ball and defiantly ran the other way. However, repeatedly he would look back at the camera with those heart-melting eyes, making sure his human friends would be following along with him. There was something about those eyes that immediately melted our hearts.
Butters finally arrived in our home on December 15[SUP]th[/SUP], 2012. I remember the excitement and nervousness that we experienced while awaiting picking him up at the airport. My husband and I showed up 15 minutes before his flight arrived. At every sound of a barking dog, we wondered if that may be our Butters. When the flight assistants finally rolled Butters to us, I couldn’t help but tear up when we saw him… there he was with that feathered tail, thick beautiful ears, and those same loving eyes. At that moment, we were instantly in love.
Bringing him home, he immediately became the center of our world. His distinct and loving personality captured our hearts. My husband, despite his initial reluctance, melted under that little dog’s spell. They became best of friends. Butters loved me, but he and my husband shared an even greater closeness. Where my husband went, Butters was sure to follow.
IQ7R5017 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R9720 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R7476 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R2354 by LSidari, on Flickr
Butters’ antics inspired me to start my blog, “A Whole Lot of Yellow,” in February 2012 (http://lsidari.blogspot.com). I wanted to share with others the moments that made this little dog so special. Through my posts, I chronicled our wonderful life with Butters. Stories included his unfortunate experience with doggie socks, encounters with the neighborhood bunny, visits with family and friends, holiday memories, creative efforts to acquire extra snacks, and bedtime routines. Most of all, the blog captured his gentle, loving nature… a treasure he shared with all whom he met.
IQ7R3710 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R4960 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R8873 by LSidari, on Flickr
I remember my husband and I remarking, even before he became sick, how we were so incredibly blessed to have this special little dog. We never took him for granted. Even with the heartache that came at the end… complex medication schedules, frequent vet visits, watching his health fail… we have no regrets making this little dog a part of our lives. In his short stay, Butters gave a lifetime’s worth of happiness to my husband and I. He prepared us to become parents, giving us confidence to care for another living being. He strengthened and deepened the love that we share for each other. Butters reminded us that life is about so much more than work and monetary possessions.
Right now, words cannot describe the incredible void left in our lives with his passing. We are happy that he is no longer suffering, but everywhere we look in our home reminds us that he is gone. My husband especially is taking the blow very hard. In time, we plan to bring home another cavalier… not to replace Butters, but to honor his memory. We want our son to know the kind of love that we experienced with Butters.
To the members of cavaliertalk: thank you for following along with Butters’ adventures and for your comments and messages about his photos. Your words have really touched my heart over the time that I have participated in this forum. And, thank you for your support during the time that his health spiraled downhill. Your words of support and guidance made that difficult time a bit easier. Finally, in the 2013 Cavalier Matters Calendar, Butters represents the month of May. I hope that you all will enjoy celebrating his memory in the coming month.
IQ7R5148 - Version 2 by LSidari, on Flickr
My dearest Butters: Mommy and Daddy will miss you so much. You will always be our first Little Man. We hope that you look over us, and someday we may meet again.
IQ7R2834 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R1606 by LSidari, on Flickr
However, it is his life, not his death, that we would like him to be remembered by. In August of 2012, my husband finally gave in to my incessant requests to add a little cavalier to our family. We had found a breeder through an extensive search, but had yet to pull the trigger and actively pursue adopting one of our own. My husband reluctantly agreed to pursue the breeder, fully expecting that a puppy would not be available for some time. However, to our surprise, one little puppy was available… the pick of the litter… a tiny Blenheim.
Baby butters by LSidari, on Flickr
Despite my husband’s trepidation, he could not help but watch over and over the little dog on the flip video sent by the breeder. This little furball, playing “fetch” on the video, grabbed a tossed ball and defiantly ran the other way. However, repeatedly he would look back at the camera with those heart-melting eyes, making sure his human friends would be following along with him. There was something about those eyes that immediately melted our hearts.
Butters finally arrived in our home on December 15[SUP]th[/SUP], 2012. I remember the excitement and nervousness that we experienced while awaiting picking him up at the airport. My husband and I showed up 15 minutes before his flight arrived. At every sound of a barking dog, we wondered if that may be our Butters. When the flight assistants finally rolled Butters to us, I couldn’t help but tear up when we saw him… there he was with that feathered tail, thick beautiful ears, and those same loving eyes. At that moment, we were instantly in love.
Bringing him home, he immediately became the center of our world. His distinct and loving personality captured our hearts. My husband, despite his initial reluctance, melted under that little dog’s spell. They became best of friends. Butters loved me, but he and my husband shared an even greater closeness. Where my husband went, Butters was sure to follow.
IQ7R5017 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R9720 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R7476 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R2354 by LSidari, on Flickr
Butters’ antics inspired me to start my blog, “A Whole Lot of Yellow,” in February 2012 (http://lsidari.blogspot.com). I wanted to share with others the moments that made this little dog so special. Through my posts, I chronicled our wonderful life with Butters. Stories included his unfortunate experience with doggie socks, encounters with the neighborhood bunny, visits with family and friends, holiday memories, creative efforts to acquire extra snacks, and bedtime routines. Most of all, the blog captured his gentle, loving nature… a treasure he shared with all whom he met.
IQ7R3710 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R4960 by LSidari, on Flickr
IQ7R8873 by LSidari, on Flickr
I remember my husband and I remarking, even before he became sick, how we were so incredibly blessed to have this special little dog. We never took him for granted. Even with the heartache that came at the end… complex medication schedules, frequent vet visits, watching his health fail… we have no regrets making this little dog a part of our lives. In his short stay, Butters gave a lifetime’s worth of happiness to my husband and I. He prepared us to become parents, giving us confidence to care for another living being. He strengthened and deepened the love that we share for each other. Butters reminded us that life is about so much more than work and monetary possessions.
Right now, words cannot describe the incredible void left in our lives with his passing. We are happy that he is no longer suffering, but everywhere we look in our home reminds us that he is gone. My husband especially is taking the blow very hard. In time, we plan to bring home another cavalier… not to replace Butters, but to honor his memory. We want our son to know the kind of love that we experienced with Butters.
To the members of cavaliertalk: thank you for following along with Butters’ adventures and for your comments and messages about his photos. Your words have really touched my heart over the time that I have participated in this forum. And, thank you for your support during the time that his health spiraled downhill. Your words of support and guidance made that difficult time a bit easier. Finally, in the 2013 Cavalier Matters Calendar, Butters represents the month of May. I hope that you all will enjoy celebrating his memory in the coming month.
IQ7R5148 - Version 2 by LSidari, on Flickr
My dearest Butters: Mommy and Daddy will miss you so much. You will always be our first Little Man. We hope that you look over us, and someday we may meet again.
IQ7R2834 by LSidari, on Flickr
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