The Tryon Family: "God's Dog"

When I met Willie, I was a Junior in High School. I volunteered at our local animal shelter and spent every spare moment there walking the dogs and caring for them. I would go several times a week, until I met Willie. One Saturday morning, my dad called me into the back room to see this "basset hound". There he was. A big black head head on this long skinny body. He looked as though he had every breed of dog in him. At first glance, he made the old saying "a face only a mother could love" seem somewhat true. He was scared and he wouldn't eat. I crawled into his cage and fed him kernels of dog food, one at a time, from my hand. After a minutes with him, he turned on his charm and had my heart in those big brown eyes.
I went there everyday after Cheerleading practice to see him. I named him Buddy. I gave little attention to the other dogs and spent most of my time walking Buddy and sitting in his cage feeding him out of my hand. Every night I cried a little when I left and prayed God that no one would take him....he was MY DOG!! I begged my mom and pleaded good behavior and straight A's if she would let me bring Buddy home. On the Tuesday, the day before he was going to be put down, she finally agreed to look at him. We drove to the shelter and there he was standing outside with the other dogs. I got out of the car, knelt down and yelled "BUDDY". The woman walking him dropped his leash and he ran towards me. He had won my heart, but my mom was a different story. She looked at me and said, "that's not a basset hound". (I knew that my mom loved Bassets and had used this to get her there to look at Buddy). We didn't know his past, or even how old he really was, all we knew is that he was something special and we loved him. For years to come, people would stop us and ask what kind of dog he was. We would simply respond, "He's God's Dog....only God knows what he is."
He arrived at our house and struggled to learn the rules. He ate the carpet, the kitchen table, chairs, pop cans, Christmas ornaments, and much more. He was part goat. He quickly learned the rules and became the best dog that we have ever had. We changed his name to Willie (for Willie the Wildcat). He was the type of dog that would give his dog food to another dog, because he didn't want to fight. Willie never growled or fought with anyone. He was unselfish and gave everything he had. He knew when you had a bad day and was there for you. He would claw your hand or leg to let you know that he was there (or that he wanted petted). He wad a kind and gentle sole that cared for everyone. He had the biggest heart and loved everyone. He was happiest when we were all together as a family. He helped us through many rough times. He nursed Murrie when Murrie lost both of his eyes. He guided him around the house and looked over him. Emersyn adored him and even though, she couldn't say his name, she lit up around him, as did the rest of us. We had a special bond and til the day he passed, all I had to do was yell "BUDDY" and he got excited.
When we were home for Christmas, he became ill. After some X rays yesterday, we found out that he had cancer and his liver was enlarged. I was so thankful to have spent Christmas with him. I got to talk to him yesterday at the vet and say goodbye to him. We are better people because of Willie. He taught us compassion and unconditional love. His loss leaves us with heavy hearts. Willie now you truly are God's Dog. I can't wait to see you again someday.... I love you BUDDY.

Here are some of the pictures that I have of him. His younger year pictures were a time before digital cameras, and my scanner is not cooperating.

After going to the vet, we were hopeful. I had been crying and wanted a picture with him. Who knew this would be the last time I would hug him and tell him that I loved him?