Flash back to the year 1994. Michelle Spitler, now a 5th-year elementary education student, is walking into the puppy section of the humane society in Centerville, Ohio. Like a typical puppy room, it's complete chaos: dogs barking like mad and the stench of urine reeking through the air. Immediately she sees the perfect puppy: a German shepherd, collie mix with huge floppy ears. She approaches him and he jumps up, barks and licks her hand enthusiastically. After all the paperwork was filled out, the dog, which would be named Buddy, was all hers.
I find the process in getting a dog very peculiar. First, there's the idea of a mother dog giving her puppy up without hesitation, which is so different from how humans work. Second, the puppy is given to the humane society, where it is placed in a lousy cage and has to listen to its neighbor dogs bark all day. Third, people come in, choose the dog of their dreams, fill out some paperwork and suddenly they have a new addition to their family. The instant acceptance and lovingness they immediately show to their dog is beautiful. And rapidly, there is this magical bond formed between you and your dog. It's hard to explain, but anyone who has had a dog knows that feeling of instant, complete unconditional love toward the animal.
Buddy was a remarkable dog. He was very protective of Spitler. His wolf-like bark was thrown at anyone who seemed threatening and it was easy to mistake him as mean. But in actuality, he was afraid of people.
Whenever Spitler would come home, he would jump up on her, wag his tail, and run circles around her legs. He was a happy dog. Spitler grew to love everything about Buddy.
He was a "miracle dog" as the veterinarians would say. Buddy had been through many sicknesses but had always pulled through. He had health problems because his white blood cell count was extremely low. However, Buddy made it and any panic that Spitler felt vanished. Then he became sick with thyroid issues. Once again Buddy toughened it out and Spitler was able to breathe.
Spitler went to Ball State University, focused on her schoolwork and became excited for her upcoming student-teaching internship in Texas. While she was busy, she still managed to come home every once in a while to spend time with her family and Buddy. Everything appeared to be normal at home.
Everything was normal until Spitler's parents started noticing fatty lumps on Buddy's body. They assumed it was only fatty tissue, took him to the vet, where they were informed Buddy had cancer.
Because Buddy was the "miracle dog" it seemed plausible that Buddy would fight against the cancer. The veterinarian told them because Buddy was so old it would be unwise to pursue chemotherapy or surgery.
Spitler knew he was getting weaker, since when she had seen him during Spring Break. She knew it was inevitable that he would die. However, when her parents called her up on April 1, they told her that Buddy was in such intense pain that they had to put him down. It was scheduled for that Saturday. Spitler drove home, thoroughly upset, knowing this would be her last time with her beloved Buddy.
However, when she came home, he couldn't even walk. They had to lift him up to take him outside.
It was at 9:30 p.m. when it happened. Buddy started thrashing his head around and around, heaving to breathe. His eyes would stare off into space, seeing nothing. Spitler and her dad began to pet him and told him it was OK to let go. Time trickled by. Buddy let go and passed away.
For anyone who has a dog, don't put off spending time with it. I know how easy it is to get caught up in homework, studying and friends but let's not forget our dogs. Let's not forget the ones we love. Let's not forget Buddy.
Write to Meira at mabienstock@bsu.edu
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