Happy 15th birthday Butch

I am really not sure how to start this post as my heart is heavy with sadness.  

Butch was given to Landon and I for Christmas in the year 2000.  I hadn't ever had a pet that I liked as an adult. So I was nervous about getting a little tiny 13 oz dog as a pet.  

His first days were hard for me.  I couldn't find a food that he would eat.  I tried 3 or 4 kinds and he wouldn't eat any of them.  I was getting pretty nervous since it had been as many days as that and he hadn't eaten.  I finally did a bunch of research online and went and picked up some Eukanuba dry puppy food.  He devoured it as soon as he tried it.  So he has eaten that brand since.  And I have tried to trick him into other brands with no luck.  He has only eaten that brand his whole life.  After the food fiasco was figured out he got sick with a puppy cold.  He cried all night long for two nights.  I finally pulled him into bed with me and we both finally got some sleep.  He has slept with me ever since.  

I never really expected to be as attached to a pet as I was with Butch.  He was my only friend in many of the places that I lived. I moved so often and didn't bother making friends in most places because I knew I would be moving soon anyway.  He was always there.  He was smart and learned lots of tricks and always wanted to be by my side.  He was my best little buddy.  

As years went on he went lots of places with me and saw lots of things that most dogs probably will never see.  

He was getting old, but was in great health and would have probably lived to be 30.  

Tragically this past Friday night he got out of our fence and ran away.  Despite our efforts to find him he is still missing.  

I miss my little buddy and I am sad he has gone.  

Happy Birthday Buddy.  Where ever you are.  You were a good and faithful companion and I will always miss you.