Coco Payne

2005 - 2014

Coco Buford-Payne
April 17, 2005-June 16, 2014
Our hearts are forever broken as we have to say goodbye too soon to our first baby, but our lives are forever changed from the love and joy she brought us for the past 9 years. We were there the day she entered this world, as the runt of her litter, and we were blessed to be with her as she took her last breaths here on Earth. She was able to come home after spending 5 days sick at the vet and enjoyed one last roll in her yard and was able to say goodbye to her brothers, parents, and grandma.
Coco, or “Coco Smoko”, as she was lovingly nicknamed by her favorite cousin Alec, lived everyday with as much energy as she had as a puppy. Her favorite activities included: rolling on her back and laying as flat as she could in the sunniest spot in the yard, having her hair brushed, swimming in her grandparents pool (well actually she would wait until no one was looking and then just stand on the steps like a cow in a lake), snuggling in bed or cuddling on the couch holding hands, going for walks, playing with her doggy brothers (Reese and Parker), Aunt (Scarlet), and cousins (Mylie, Gunner, and Missy), visiting her grandparents (Tom and Vickie) and chasing her human Aunts (Dana, Laurie and Sarah) and cousins (Alec and Clint) around lovingly nipping at their arms and sleeves in excitement.
She was the first furbaby of Andrew and Samantha and was with them for 9 of their 11 year relationship. She was an only child for the first 6 years of her life and was a great companion, best friend and roommate for her Mommy and Daddy. She endured 6 moves in her short 9 years with us. She enjoyed living in Lexington, KY for 5 years while her parents attended college. She moved from apartment-to-apartment, year-after-year but was happy as long as she had her Mommy and Daddy and a nice big window or balcony with a good view. When her Daddy had to move back to Owensboro to be with his Nana, Coco stayed in Lexington with her Mommy and grew to become quite protective of her. She was the best roommate her mommy could’ve asked for to help her get through those long nights of studying during graduate school.
Coco was great at knowing how you were feeling and was very compassionate. When her Mommy and Daddy were sick, sad, or scared she’d lay beside them until they felt better. She was there for many major milestones in their lives including: attending college, their engagement, graduation from college, wedding, first jobs and purchasing their first home. She was the best friend to have by your side for every life event, heartache, and celebration. She was a great listener and kept secrets better than anyone else! She was looking forward to one day welcoming a baby to the family and would’ve been the best and most protective big sister.
She had a very small circle of people she trusted but began expanding her circle of friends once her brother, Reese, came along. She lovingly welcomed him to our family 3 years ago when he was found sick and abandoned on her family’s property for 3 months. Coco had a special hand shake that meant she now trusted you and her Daddy called it the “paw of trust”. She loved giving her Daddy a hard time and frequently stole his spot in the bed and refused to move over for him. She spent every morning sitting beside her Mommy while she got ready for the day. She had the softest black fur, that no matter how dirty she was, everyone commented felt like velvet! She was there every day to greet us at the door like it was the first time she’d seen us in years and often times greeted us with her “words”, a wagging tail, and big smile.
Our house will always feel empty, but we will forever cherish every memory we had with our best friend and sweet baby Coco. She will be loved and missed by many.