Lua & Buba: A Story of Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

Our Four-Legged Loves

You see, I’ve got a soft spot for animals, especially our four-legged friends. I’ve had my fair share of furry pals throughout my life, but today, I’m unleashing the woof-worthy adventures of Lua (which, by the way, means ‘moon’ in English) and our current family member, Buba (from one of our little daughter’s favorite cartoons).

Now, Lua came into my life courtesy of my hubby. When we first crossed paths, she was already a seasoned pro in the world of doghood, clocking in at around 5 dog years. Lua had been scooped up from a shelter by my better half, making her our resident rescue hero. But here’s the kicker: she was more human than hound! Lua had a peculiar quirk — she couldn’t be bothered with those traditional dog pastimes, like chasing after a ball. Nope, when we’d toss a ball her way, her response was more of a ‘ho-hum’ than a ‘fetch!’

Our Lua was a social butterfly, adoring humans and little pups, yet not quite hitting it off with fellow adult dogs. Her closest confidant? None other than our cat, Cinzas (which, in English, translates to ‘Ashes’). Cinzas had his own ‘rags to riches’ story, rescued from a shelter by my husband, just like Lua. But, Lua, was the poster child for tranquility. Hardly anything could ruffle her fur, except for one thing — the mere thought of being left alone in a room. She was obedient to a T, but oh boy, did she have a knack for digging and planning her great escape from home, haha!

We were all living in Portugal. But then, in 2019, we decided to chase adventure to a whole new level by moving to Finland! Yup, we’re talking about swapping sizzling sun for snowflakes. And guess who joined us on this frosty escapade? None other than Lua and Cinzas, our four-legged family members, of course!

Now, Lua, our furry adventurer, facing the Finnish winter like a true champ. She’d prance around the snow as if it were her own personal playground, and we couldn’t help but chuckle at her playful spirit.

But before we set out on this chilly journey, back in Portugal, we stumbled upon a little surprise: a lump near one of Lua’s mammary glands. The vet said it was nothing serious and told us not to worry too much, saying that it might be just a tiny blip on her that could disappear with time. So, we embraced the unknown with open arms, and off we went on our frosty adventure!

In early 2022, that pesky lump started acting up, growing faster than we ever anticipated. We scrambled to find another vet here in Finland, hoping for a different diagnosis. Lua, despite being 13 years young and normally full of life, suddenly started showing signs of fatigue. She became sluggish, lost her appetite, and even had the heartbreaking ordeal of urinating blood. Finding a vet who could see her promptly felt like searching for a needle in a haystack.

I vividly remember reaching out to my limited Finnish contacts, desperately seeking recommendations beyond my online searches. Finland, unlike busier places, doesn’t boast a surplus of veterinarians available round the clock. But with the help of a compassionate friend, we managed to secure an appointment with a vet who, despite her busy schedule, agreed to see us after hearing our heartfelt plea.

So there we were my husband, our little 2-year-old daughter, and me, accompanying Lua to the vet’s office. Looking back, it felt like an unexpected farewell had already begun. While we waited for Lua’s examination, something incredible happened. She, for just a fleeting moment, perked up. She barked, showered us with licks, and gave us a glimpse of her old self.

When our turn came, my husband and Lua entered the examination room, and I stayed outside with our daughter to avoid disrupting the process. Although the door was ajar, I strained to hear what was being discussed inside. It was only when my husband looked at me from a distance that I sensed the sorrow in his eyes. My heart pounded as I saw Lua, lying there with those soulful eyes.

Then my husband broke the news, “There’s nothing more we can do.” Panic set in. My daughter, too young to comprehend the gravity of the situation, asked what was happening. I did my best to shield her from my growing despair, but tears flowed unbidden. I joined them inside the vet’s office and implored my husband, “Maybe the doctor is wrong. We should seek a second opinion, even a third if necessary!”

But my husband’s voice was steady, “Love, the doctor said it is a tumor, and it has already spread throughout her body. There’s nothing more we can do.” I couldn’t accept it. “Of course, there’s something we can do! I don’t trust that diagnosis. Are we really giving up on her?”

His reply was measured, “She’s suffering. The doctor mentioned some medication to ease her pain for a few more days, but the end is inevitable. It wouldn’t be fair to her. She’s in pain.”

I looked at Lua, my heart brimming with love, my eyes overflowing with tears. And in the end, I had to concede. So, with heavy hearts, we bid our tearful goodbyes to her, my daughter not fully comprehending, and my husband staying with her as the doctor gently eased her into a peaceful slumber, finally free from pain.

It remains one of the saddest chapters in our lives. I can still recall the moment we left the vet’s office, my daughter’s innocent query echoing in the car, “What about Lua? Isn’t she coming? Where’s Lua?” It was a question that pierced our hearts.

Upon our return home, we faced the daunting task of breaking the news to our older children. As expected, they were overwhelmed with grief. They questioned why we hadn’t waited for them to bid their final farewells too. We explained that it wouldn’t have been fair to Lua, that she was enduring unimaginable suffering, and that their memories of her deserved to be filled with joy and love.

But even now, my heart bears the scars of that loss. Lua’s ashes remain with us, a constant reminder of our cherished companion. However, we’re still grappling with the decision of what to do with them. Scatter them in the Lisbon sea, where she took her first breaths? Bury them beneath a delicate flower in our Finnish garden, which blooms only briefly each year? Or hold onto them a while longer? The courage to make that choice eludes us.

The pain still lingers, sharp and poignant. Our home felt emptier without her, a void we could never have anticipated. And our cat, Cinzas, he felt it too. Lua’s absence transformed him. Though never one for overt displays of affection, he became unusually tender, seeking solace in our presence, trying to snuggle closer, a reflection of the void left by his partner in mischief, Lua.

In the latter part of 2022, we found ourselves grappling with the profound emptiness that Lua had left behind in our home. The idea of welcoming a new dog began to cross our minds. Yet, it also felt as though we might be attempting to fill the void she’d left, a thought that held us back. We broached the topic cautiously, discussing it with trepidation.

As a child, I had held a dream close to my heart, one shared by kids across the globe after watching “Beethoven” — the dream of having a Saint Bernard. In Brazil, such a choice would have been impractical, given the perpetually tropical climate. In Portugal, where the seasons were more distinct, we already had our beloved Lua, who didn’t quite see eye to eye with other dogs. But she was more than enough, her love filling our lives to the brim.

Now, in Finland, we began to ponder the idea once more. It seemed like the perfect place to bring a Saint Bernard into our family. I reached out to a certified breeder via email, but it turned out there hadn’t been a recent litter available. Disheartened, we temporarily set aside our hopes. However, fate had other plans. Several months down the road, an unexpected email landed in our inbox, inquiring whether we were still keen on the idea. It mentioned a new litter anticipated for May 2023. I mentioned it in passing to my husband, not anticipating his immediate enthusiasm. To my delight, he wholeheartedly exclaimed,

“YES, LET THEM KNOW WE’RE INTERESTED!” — He said

The excitement was off the charts! We were like kids on Christmas morning, except Santa was a Saint Bernard breeder from Finland! Weeks of nail-biting, all the way from the sidelines, as we waited for a bundle of joy — well, 12 bundles to be exact. Yep, these little furballs were living it up in Finland, a mere 5-hour drive away from us.

With great enthusiasm and a hint of impatience, we devoured every piece of information the breeder threw our way. Fur length? Check. Gender preference? You bet. We went for short fur and a boy, but not without leaving room for fate to do its thing. And boy, did it ever!

You see, one snapshot of those puppies melted my husband’s heart. Connection? Instant. It didn’t matter if it was a boy or a girl, or if they had fur long enough to rival Rapunzel. Fate had spoken, and it was love at first sight, even through the lens of photos and videos.

I’ll never forget that one morning, entirely devoted to a shopping spree, as we scoured the stores for goodies fit for our impending furry family member. My little one took charge, handpicking a teddy bear and a squeaky pig, all set to welcome our new buddy. It was a bit like preparing for a baby’s arrival before they even made their grand entrance — talk about getting ahead of ourselves, right? Haha! 🐶🛍️😄

Then came the big day, marked on the calendar and highlighted with sparkles. Our little Buba was 7 weeks old, weaned, and ready to join our gang. So, we embarked on a weekend adventure to Pori, this enchanting city right here in Finland. The moment of our first encounter was pure magic.

Ah, the moment of truth — the much-anticipated showdown between our Buba and our cat, Cinzas. At first, it was all peace and serenity, like a tranquil Sunday afternoon. But then, here comes Buba, a spirited little puppy, ready to give chase to our eight-year-old feline maestro, Cinzas. The result? Well, let’s just say Cinzas served up some kitty justice with a few nose boops — his way of saying, “Hey, I’ve been around the block, buddy!” Haha, poor Cinzas went through a ‘ruff’ patch during those months, but now, Buba, our gentle giant at nearly 5 months old and 30 kg, has mellowed out. They’ve gone from frenemies to besties, snoozing side by side, exchanging kitty-doggy secrets, and sharing the occasional nose boop (just to keep things respectful, you know?). Nature works in mysterious and beautiful ways!

Oh, Buba, our gentle giant, with their rivers of drool, storms of fur! He’s like a massive, overgrown baby who hasn’t quite figured out he’s not a lapdog. The sofa? It’s his personal launchpad for belly flops and cuddle sessions. And trust me, when it comes to Buba, a still hand just won’t cut it — it’s pets, pets, and more pets, or he’ll let you know! Now, Buba, he’s got a whole lotta doggy swagger. Chasing balls? You bet! The most obedient yet stubborn dog you’ll ever meet!

Yeehaw! Buba’s cowboy adventure in the garden!

What about Lua, who danced to her own unique tune? The Queen of Chill, the Ultimate Cuddle Buddy, and a Sneaky Snack Thief Extraordinaire!

Talk about two polar opposites, but oh, the love they bring is simply immeasurable.

As for our dear Lua, she’ll forever hold a special place in our hearts. I’m still learning to turn that ache into warm, cherished memories. But I can’t help the tears — some from joy, yes, and a whole bunch from missing her.

So, as I watch our dance together in that video and gaze at her photo in the garden, it hits me that love never truly fades. It transforms into cherished memories, a twinkle in the eye, and a warmth in the heart. Lua, you were, and always will be, an irreplaceable part of our lives.

Thank you for the love, laughter, and lessons you brought into our world. You’ve left your paw prints on our hearts, and they’ll remain there forever.

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