I walk through the door and hesitate, but you're not there with the only way you know how to greet: tail wagging, butt swaying, nose going 240 to smell those smells, that to you are so sweet. No more howling at the sirens. No longer do we have to share 'your' chair. No more barking at the door. Because you're not here. Now your crate is dismantled, and your toys are all put away. Memories will linger forever, while thoughts of you fill our everyday. Your life ended before it really began. You were taken from us to soon. You gave us so much in so short a time. We had so much more to do. Walks to the beach just aren't the same, our lifeguard is no longer on duty. Alex won't have to share his baby pool this year, Because you're not here. Bud had been a Christmas gift in 1998, from mom to dad. He was very playful and funny from the start. I (mom), noticed a problem with the way he was walking, especially after short hikes, at 3 months of age. A very nice, and good, orthopedic surgeon found that both hips popped out of the joint fairly easily, and Bud would eventually need surgery. Surgery was performed on 11/13/99, and the healing process was looking good and progressive. His spirits were high and he wanted to play more than he was allowed. Shortly before Christmas, Fri 12/11/99, I took him to the vet originally for his vaccinations, but I noticed that his abdomen looked as if it had fluid in it. Preliminary tests were performed, but inconclusive. Sunday he was in pain, and he was painful. Returned to the vet, more tests showed some levels rised but still not abnormal, but we were getting closer to the cause. I called an ultrasonographer Sunday afternoon, and had an appointment for Monday afternoon. More blood tests, along with the ultrasound, were performed. Now there was no mistaking the problem: severe liver failure due to an abnormally small liver. We could try to stabilize him, but what he needed to live, was a liver transplant. 'Bud' had a love for the camera, he posed so very nicely. He also loved to lay in my baby cousins pool, even with Alex in it. He loved hiking, walks on the beach, and he loved attention. He was a wonderful dog.