Buddy

​We received this precious obituary for our Alumnus Buddy from his dad Garnett. Buddy, formerly Birdy, lived with his family for 12 years. Garnett said, “Our first GSP rescue, Buddy, has died. He was, and always will be, a member of our family.  Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to share this wonderful animal’s life.”
31 May 2024
Today at 2:15 PM, Buddy Kelsoe of Durham, North Carolina, died as a consequence of an aggressive lymphoma. He was 13 years and 9 months old.
 
A champion beach runner, he was first named Birdy by SEGSP Rescue, but known along the North Carolina coast by his professional name, Little Buddy Thumper.  Shortly before passing, he was surrounded by his family – both human and canine. He got to eat chocolate. 
 
Buddy was a friend to everyone he met. He loved squirrels and cats, played with birds along the beaches of Bald Head Island, and feared nothing save loud noises, electric leaf blowers, deep water, fireworks, and baths. His human friends cherished him, his animal friends often took advantage of his generosity. 
 
Buddy was a GSP or maybe an EP or maybe a little of both. His family never really cared. They loved the sound of this tail wagging – thumping - against walls, the floor, expensive art. That is how he earned his nickname, Thumper, and how he charmed everyone except a few idiots that kept expensive artwork at knee (or rather, tail) height. Buddy was as friendly as his adopted sister was not – unlike her, Buddy never bit a neighbor or even ate a cat. He never counter surfed but pound-for-pound could put
away more Thanksgiving leftovers than any dog in North Carolina. 
 
Buddy loved to ride in his dad’s truck, especially if he could let his ears flap in the breeze. And his tongue! His next most favorite thing was to roll in dead seabird, with 10-
day pelican at the top of his list. 
 
Little Buddy Thumper will be missed. He was a good dog.   Garnett