Buddy Crofton
Sad News 08.02.2021
Buddy was a Cocker Retriever X who was relinquished as his family were going abroad. He had lived outside tied up for five years. He had issues but slowly, through much patience learned to deal with them. He suffered from ‘Red Rage’ a syndrome which is common in mono coloured Cocker Spaniels or Cocker Spaniel X’s. He was, what I called, a misunderstood teenager who just needed a little patience.
He went to England to be rehomed and had snapped the first of several times, including at the transporter which did not endear Buddy to him! After a few months in foster, it was clear Buddy was not able to move forward and I constantly worried about him. He was a stunning animal when he first went over to the UK but on return, was a shadow of his former self, scrawny with no shine in his coat or eyes and who had slipped into a deep depression. On 14th February I decided he was coming home. On arrival in Holyhead, the transporter who, was and is extremely experienced, told me to be careful as he was so dangerous. ‘What rubbish, this is my Buddy’ I took the slip lead put it on him and Buddy popped out of the car. The transporter was flabbergasted. ‘He’s like a different dog. I have never seen the like’ ‘That’s easy, he just wants to come home, I’m his mom and that’s it.’
A couple of times I would bring him with a really good friend, P.J., to Phoenix Park. P.J adored Buddy and Sadie (Buddy’s girlfriend) and it was likewise. Once, P.J., tapped on the window when Buddy was in the car and Buddy flew into an uncontrollable rage foaming and snapping. ‘He was great, I thought we were friends’ he said ‘Just don’t tap on the window, that’s his domain, he feels safe, and feels you are taking him away from me. All I can equate it is with an epileptic fit, once it’s over, it’s like it never happened.’ I replied. P.J. never tapped the window again.
Over almost six years Buddy had learned that he was safe, he had Sadie, my beautiful cream Golden Retriever girl who was mad about him, but who, equally had her own demons, was mad about her. Buddy was wonderful with dogs who had issues and over the years made great friends and helped countless dogs. If one became too much, he would do a ‘run, hide and see if you can get me underneath this car trick’ He was no fool. For all his idiosyncrasies, he was a sweet boy, who loved to be loved. He reminded me of a child who had difficulty connecting with the world around him but if he trusted you to show him, he would trust you forever. Paddy and Evelyn looked after him so much and helped him in every way possible so he could overcome his problems, which he eventually did.
Buddy was an unknown entity, loved – definitely, cosseted… for sure, will be missed? – endlessly. He was a bundle of love, great fun, extremely affectionate and loved, loved, loved running after his ball as well as long walks. The last visual memory I have was when Paddy and Evelyn helped me lift him in the car, and Sadie stood there, not knowing where her pal was going and why she couldn’t go too, as she lifted her nose to the air to smell her friend one last time, and then watched him disappear into the car and returned flopping onto her bed, her head between her paws.
It will be a very long time before I come across another Buddy, but hope, that if I do, Buddy will show me how to help him and how he can help me. I didn’t realise how broken I was till I got Buddy, and all the time I thought I was helping him, he was really helping me. He only decided to leave when he thought I was ok. However, he just left too soon and left the work unfinished, because I am broken all over again.
Fly high sweetie, cause oodles and oodles of trouble, till I see you again, my sweet, beloved Buddy.
HE STOLE KATHRYN’S HEART
Buddy came to IRR via another Rescue as his family were emigrating and it was not possible to take him with them. His family were heartbroken at having to let him go.
He is a stunning 5 year old Male Golden Retriever Cross, perhaps with a Golden Cocker Spaniel. He is neutered and vaccinated.
UK FOSTERER’S REPORT
PERSONALITY: Buddy has a stunning personality and is very affectionate.
HEALTH: He is extremely thin, so much so that his vertebrae are clearly visible. He is very nervous and confused at present, he grumbles and can snap. It is suspected that there may be some underlying health issue
which is being investigated at present.
SOCIAL LEARNING
Buddy is house trained, walks well on the lead, has good recall and travels well in the car.
He is absolutely wonderful with other dogs even though he had never been socialised with them before.
BUDDY’S IDEAL HOME
Although Buddy came to the UK to be rehomed with an experienced owner, Kathryn, our Ireland Co-ordinator, missed him so much that she contacted us, realising her mistake and asked us to hold him for her while she mads arrangements to come to England to take him back to Ireland.
He was going home to be with his new family, to be loved and treasured, with Laurel, Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and Angel.
The IRR team wish him and his family great happiness.
