Buster
Our Buster
In 1996 he sat in a kennel behind the feel store for “free”. My
husband, (boyfriend at the time) Jeff, said “I want that dog”, I said “let’s
get it”. Since then Buster was ours. I had a Springer at home
that needed some company. Buster was around 2 years of age and full of
life. He had the most serious bark. He wanted to stay outside on
the back porch at night, barking at the deer, raccoons. One time he
came out from chasing the coons and a piece of his ear was “GONE”, a bloody
mess. Poor bud. He was such a good guard dog. He was about 75 pounds
of yellow lab. Sometimes he’d take off at night and come home with
bread, sometimes moldy and sometimes a fresh new loaf. We thought
about putting a camera around his neck to see just where he went. When
it came to a “ride in the car” he would get so excited and jump in the front
seat like a BIG MAN. Legs split apart, tongue hanging out, slobber.
People would look, point, and chuckle. He never missed a walk and he
loved to run behind the quad. In 2003 Buster got a few tumors, the one
that grew to slowest (thank God) was under his arm. It was cancer.
He mad it until 2007 before he had to get pain pills. He started
gaining a bunch of weight- ate twice as much and didn’t walk too well, just
slow. Then in November, his arthritis got so bad we weren’t sure he’d
make it until Christmas, but in February, Valentines Day, he was still
excited to be around. In March, a few weeks later, you could sure tell
he was losing his smile. On March 31, we were sure he just wanted and needed
to go to sleep, never to wake up in pain again. Our Veterinarians were
so great, so compassionate, even helped us bury him. He was grown to
be 125 pounds. Our vets at T.L.C. in Olympia Greg and Renee had to put
their dog down two days prior; my mom 6 weeks prior; my friend last Saturday
and two more good friends losing their pets soon. I-we are so glad for
the 12 years we had with Buster. We do wish animals could last longer.
Thanks to all friends, mom, and WSU for your program. We love you bud
and miss you dearly.
Kelly and Jeff P.
