You see, my dad, Donald Sigurd Bugni, passed quietly in his sleep a little more than a week ago – December 23rd, 2011. On Wednesday, the 28th, friends and family gathered at the family church to celebrate his life – on what would have been his 85th birthday. It seemed fitting to bid farewell to this pragmatic, practical, precise engineer on the same day he said hello, 85 years earlier. It’s just like dad to make sure all the loose ends tied up nicely.

He had a sly, sweet smile with “little apple cheeks” that seemed to take his normally solemn face by surprise. He could also be crabby and set in his ways – at least I come by it honestly. He had a quick wit. I used to kid, “Dad knew snark before snark was cool.”

Dad worked for Square D Company for 46 years, and he and mom would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this coming Valentine’s Day. Talk about longevity! I learned a thing or two about loyalty from both of them.

I could go on and on and talk about all the wonderful memories of him that live in my heart, but won’t. Suffice it to say, I know lessons learned and wisdom gained from him are tightly woven in the fabric of me. And that’s a good thing.

He’s at peace now. And that has given me (and my family) peace.

I love you Mr. B. Godspeed.  

Donald Sigurd Bugni December 28, 1926 – December 23, 2011

He taught me how to change a car tire 

Don Bugni and friend Kenny July 20, 1942

Dad, in the Army

The Bugni Family - Christmas 1964

Audrey and Don Bugni (Circa 1980s)

Taken New Year's Day 2011, it only seem right Dad takes us into New Year's Day 2012. Happy New Year!

I adopted Sadie as an adult on Leap Day in 1996. She had been a stray, terrified of everything and heartworm positive when we first met. I had her treated for heartworms, spayed,  brought up to date on her vaccinations and made sure she had regular meals. She repaid the kindness by spending the first month she lived with me under the bed, literally coming out only to input or output. Slowly, she emerged and eventually, became my shadow; still not trusting of many people, but my adoring fan. (Oh to be the person my dog thinks I am … )

The first time I brought my now husband, Gary, to my house, she went immediately to him and climbed in his lap. She’d never done that with anyone before. I knew he was the one.

Sadie went through a divorce with me, found new love with me, shared my joys, licked my tears away when I was sad, put up with ferrets, five other dogs (all three times her size, but she was in charge), birds and all sorts of craziness over the years. Through it all she has been a loyal and true friend. A shiny, doll-haired land-seal, as my friend Julie called her. Tonight, after 14 years together (we estimated her to be about 17 or 18), we said goodbye. A dear, dear veterinarian friend came by and helped her to transition to heaven.

Yes. I believe all dogs go to heaven and she’ll be waiting for me when I arrive.

Farewell Sadie. I’ve been blessed to have you in my life.