Charles, my fallen buddy

This is a personal post, mostly for me to remember. It will be sad, so I would skip it if you don’t want to feel that way.

I’ve lost my buddy this past Monday. Not very long when we got to work, my brother received the most terrible call, our buddy was struck in traffic and he didn’t make it. We hurried back home, a angry and heartbroken trip, and awaited to hear back from animal services to pick up his remains. It’s a hard time for us, including our dad. We only had Charles for over three months, but he was already part of the family.

We love our buddy, and the house is very empty feeling without him. I’ve personally retreated from checking Twitter and doing my small routine there at the beginning of the week. I didn’t want to feel happy, and I didn’t want to bring you my sadness. I couldn’t even make this post until the end of the week.

I'm sad that Charles is gone, and angry that he was taken from me. At the same time, I also don't want to give up, I have a lot of love to give and want another dog. My brother isn't in the mood or the right place to get another, and I agree, but I don't know how long I can continue with seeing his empty bed. I'm not replacing him, because he can not be replaced.

It's strange to love your pet. They aren't family you're born into, or are married in, but a companion you let in and they become family.

I love you my buddy. I wasn’t there to protect you from the mistake you made in escaping the yard, and you didn’t deserve the ultimate punishment for something many dogs do. So I’ll end on a poem I’ve wrote for you over the week.

Struck down by a motorist that was distracted or speeding, or couldn't be bothered to slow down, rolling the dice that their paths wouldn't have a chance meeting.

So I took in hand the land that I'm a fan, the internet. A place for me to make my escape from the daily race and to self medicate. But not to where it made me happy, just forget my ache.

I love you, buddy, and I did everything I knew to keep you safe, but all it takes is one mistake.

We only had you for a few months, and you're now gone a couple of days. You were family day one and I already miss when we played.

I don't know why you left the yard. Bored? Hungry? Saw something?

Whatever it was, it was a simple mistake. You didn't deserve this.

You're now laid to rest to next to another buddy we'd lost a year and a half ago, so neither of you are alone. Rest up now, you're home.