Jump to content
BC Boards

Bute


Sue R
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 64
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Oh Sue, I am so, so sorry. I know how much you and Ed love your dogs and how deeply you cared for Bute despite the rough hand life dealt him. I was so shocked to see the name Bute in this section and was holding my breath when I opened the thread, only to find my fears weren't unfounded. Long-distance cyber hugs to you and Ed. Maybe you can find comfort in the thought that Bute brought Dan to you and once he knew you had another lively youngster it was safe for him to rest. I wish there was more I could say to help you feel better, but at least you have some lovely memories of your sweet boy.

 

J.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:rolleyes: My deepest condolences to you and your husband. Bute sounded like a wonderful fellow. I know he will live forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sue, I'm so sorry to hear this! He was totally beautiful in every picture you posted, you could tell what a sweet dog he was.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our silly, scrawny, homely little Bute passed away yesterday morning. A dog with not a great deal of natural talent but a big heart and desire to be a partner, he was my husband's special buddy who often saved the day when moving the cattle. He spent his evenings enjoying tug-of-war games, snuggles, or time behind the couch with his little "treasury" of toys and bones that he'd placed where the bigger dogs couldn't get them.

 

ButeOct2008.jpg

 

Bute and Megan loved tug-of-war, with Ed being the centerline for the game. If Ed moved, the game moved with him. It wasn't fun without Ed as the human line. The noises Bute and Megan made while playing this favorite game sounded ferocious, but it was all in good-natured fun.

 

Bute would steal toys that the other dogs were enjoying, and run behind the couch where he had his little hidey-hole, and arrange them in a semi-circle in front of his nose, where he could savor the joy of possession. The other dogs couldn't fit back there like flexible, skinny Bute could and so his treasure trove would be quite safe until I betrayed him by moving the couch to restore the toys to the other dogs or to vacuum.

 

IMG_1619.jpg

 

He was sensitive to some odd sounds. He always ran for cover when Ed sneezed (but not me), or when certain small clicks or other mechanical sounds happened. His safe spot if we were in the kitchen, livingroom, or bedroom was under our bed, where he slept most nights for his first two years (until he moved up to sleeping on the foot of the bed), or behind the couch if we were in the family room. Whenever one of those trigger sounds would happen, he would dive into one of those secure places.

 

As a youngster, Bute was always eager to be able to "do what the big dogs did" and his first day of being able to scramble to the top of a big round hay bale was a cause for celebration. Even recently, if we went to a field where there were bales, he'd run and get on top of one with a proud look on his face. He also liked the "haybale olympics" where he and Megan would race back and forth jumping along a line of bales (as Celt ran along on the ground). And, since big dogs stood for a hosing down after work or jumped into the stocktank, he was game for that when dirty or hot, whether he liked it or not at the time.

 

IMG_1740.jpg

 

Short on looks but long on character, Bute dealt with a number of genetic issues - he was overshot, cryptorchid, had immunity issues, and had digestive issues that we finally discovered involved malabsorption and possibly ulcers. Stomach and/or intestinal bleeding due to ulceration was likely the cause of his recent loss of energy and rapid fading away. I feel like I let him down, that I didn't do enough to try and find out what his problems were and try to help heal him, that I could have done more, that he deserved better from me.

 

What Bute lacked in physical beauty, he made up for with abundant personality, affection, and desire to be a partner. We miss him so very much, and always will.

 

 

 

 

Sue,

 

 

I am so sorry to hear you lost Bute. Please keep in mind when you feel as though you 'let him down" that sadly we cannot save them all. Three is young but from the looks of his photos, it was a good three years as far as Bute was concerned.

 

Carolyn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is a great comfort to receive condolences from people who understand what it is to love a dog so much and lose him. I really appreciate everyone's kindness.

 

It is almost like Dan is trying to step into Bute's pawprints in some ways - he's become more affectionate and actually started doing some "Bute-isms", like sitting on Ed's feet and leaning against his leg.

 

A few of Bute's endearing characteristics included that he liked to sit on your foot/feet and lean against your leg. He'd sit near you, and then scoot over to end up plastered against your feet and legs (or sometimes, between your legs) where he had a very comfy, secure, in-touch vantage point.

 

He loved being in Ed's lap, and I have a number of photos of him there, even some "helping" Ed make out the cutting orders for butcher animals. He was our little "frog dog" who still would stretch out on the floor with his hind legs splayed out like a frog, chewing on some treat or toy.

 

At bedtime, he'd curl up where Ed's feet should be and move over towards mine when Ed got into bed. He was a "limp noodle" kind of dog - super flexible and prone to lying or sleeping in contorted positions. I have some photos here and there but more memories of those typical Bute poses (that would vanish as soon as I got the camera in hand).

 

He liked to be the center of our attention but not the center of anyone else's attention, so I always said to people to just ignore him and he would come up and sniff, and eventually make friends - it just took him a little longer. He was always a little insecure and needed lots of reassurances. And he always needed to make sure the other dogs knew that he had the ball, and so he'd march around with it prominently displayed in his mouth to make that no one was unaware.

 

Please humor me for just two last "Bute anecdotes" - Bute was a great friend with our young black cat, Smokey. Smokey is quite the little hunter and, should Bute spy him with a mouse in his mouth, Bute would pester Smokey until the mouse was dropped, and would quickly gobble it up. I caught him in time one day with a "leave it", and he dropped the mouse. The next time I looked, there was a tail hanging out of his mouth, and I told him to "leave it" again, and he dropped it. The next time I turned to see a tail hanging out, before I could say "leave it", the mouse was history and Bute was content.

 

Bute found that Smokey would sometimes stash killed but not eaten prey behind the forsythia bush. One day, he came out from behind there with something hanging out of his mouth, and I called him over. He sheepishly came over with an entire bird in his mouth, and just the tail dangling out, like a kid with a lollipop. I asked him to give it to me, which he did, and disposed of it. He was always on the lookout for something repulsive to savor. The farm environment is condusive to that.

 

Bute was given to us because he was "unsellable" due to his overbite. Well, it was our lucky day when we took him in because we were very, very blessed to have him as part of our family and as a help on the farm. It was just too short a time.

 

We are so grateful to have Dan (and, of course, Celt and Megan) as he is now the "little guy" of the family and helping ease us out of our grief with his own endearing traits, and his need for us to train and care for him. And, we are both very grateful for all of you who are sharing your thoughtfulness and empathy with us - it means a lot. Thank you, all for understanding and for your kind words and thoughts!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our silly, scrawny, homely little Bute passed away yesterday morning. A dog with not a great deal of natural talent but a big heart and desire to be a partner

IMG_1619.jpg

IMG_1740.jpg

 

Short on looks but long on character, Bute dealt with a number of genetic issues - he was overshot, cryptorchid, had immunity issues, and had digestive issues that we finally discovered involved malabsorption and possibly ulcers. Stomach and/or intestinal bleeding due to ulceration was likely the cause of his recent loss of energy and rapid fading away. I feel like I let him down, that I didn't do enough to try and find out what his problems were and try to help heal him, that I could have done more, that he deserved better from me.

 

What Bute lacked in physical beauty, he made up for with abundant personality, affection, and desire to be a partner. We miss him so very much, and always will.

Sue, first of all, there is no such thing as a homely Border Collie. He was beautiful. :rolleyes: I'm sure you did all you could to address his physical ailments. Losing him at such a young age had to be a shock. When a treasured member of our family passes on, it's not unusual for "what if?" to nag at us. Please don't let it overshadow the good times you had with Bute.

 

Gentle thoughts being sent your way..

Pam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh my, how sad. I agree, he was beautiful - what a cute face. And he was very special to you, obviously! He looks like he was very happy to be with you!

 

 

My condolences!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bute was homely, but in an endearing way. The French have a saying that goes something like "pretty ugly" or so "not handsome" that one is actually appealing and full of character. That was my feeling about Bute's appearance. Actually, his photos here do make him look more handsome than he was, but his looks didn't matter. Somehow, his homeliness was endearing to me, and gave him character.

 

Anyway, I was downloading some pictures from just the other day, and found a photo of Bute and his best dog friend, Megan, that I had taken only about three weeks prior to his death, and had forgotten about. It was like an unexpected gift and a little message from the other side that he is now well, happy, and waiting for us to join him someday.

 

ButeandMegan20090426.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sue, I don't know how I missed this. I'm shocked and heartbroken for you. Bute was such a sweet boy and I know you feel a bit cheated at missing out on a full lifetime with him. My old Trim had an inflammatory ulcer - at the time such things were almost unknown, and it was only because someone else posted information on their dog that sounded familiar, that we caught it early with her. All the inflammatory gi problems are just so hard for vets to figure out - even the specialists need very extensive testing to pinpoint one problem versus another "for sure."

 

Peace and love to you and your family at this time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...