Today We Rescued Your Dog
by Pat Closher
Today we rescued your dog. We don’t know where you got him from - maybe you saw him in a pet store window or maybe one of your neighbors bred a few litters a year just to make some vacation money or because they loved their dogs so much that of course they wanted to have puppies. We don’t know much about how you cared for him either, although our vet thought that for such a young dog, his teeth were in pretty bad shape.
by Pat Closher
Today we rescued your dog. We don’t know where you got him from - maybe you saw him in a pet store window or maybe one of your neighbors bred a few litters a year just to make some vacation money or because they loved their dogs so much that of course they wanted to have puppies. We don’t know much about how you cared for him either, although our vet thought that for such a young dog, his teeth were in pretty bad shape.
Did you know they were going to keep him outside? At least it was a pretty mild winter. There were no heavy snows, not much heavy winter rain and only a few days of bitter cold. But for all of those weeks he had no companionship, no care, and no love.
For some reason, your grandparents took him to the shelter. Maybe a neighbor complained about him or maybe their own health gave out or maybe they just got tired of him. You know the local shelter is a kill shelter, don’t you? You know that their own statistics indicate that about half of the dogs that enter are killed, don’t you? Maybe your grandparents thought he would be adopted quickly. He is a purebred, after all. No one was interested in him, though, maybe since he’s an adult dog and not a cute little puppy. No one contacted the purebred rescue group either. They probably would have placed him quickly, since he really is a great boy. The shelter is a clean place and they take good care of the dogs. They get good food and they’re bathed and brushed. It’s still a shelter though, and is noisy and chaotic and frightening. He spent two months there in that confusion, away from everyone and everything he had known.
One day, we saw him on the shelter web site. We called and asked about him. The shelter workers were so happy to hear from us and were delighted to agree to bring him to a local pet store where they do adoptions. Do you want to know why they were so accommodating? He was scheduled to be killed that afternoon. He didn’t know that, but the shelter workers certainly did. It hurt them and he felt that, so he knew something was wrong. All of a sudden, though, the shelter workers were happy and excited and so was he. They bathed him and brushed his coat. We think they probably told him this was it - his big chance, or maybe he just knew it somehow. When we met him, we all fell in love.
He had to go to the vet to be neutered, of course, but then he came home. He has his very own 13 year-old boy. You know, it’s almost like watching one of those old Lassie movies, seeing how well they’ve bonded. He’s got good food and his own toys. He’s taken on walks three times a day, is regularly groomed and is taken to the vet for needed care. We’ll be with him always, even if we have to make that last, difficult decision, because, you see, he is our dog and we are his family.
He has a good heart you know, but then he is a dog, so that’s to be expected. He’s probably forgiven you and, with a dog’s grace, doesn’t even remember you dumped him. He’d probably even be willing to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge. But you know what? He’ll greet us and go with us at the Bridge, and then he’ll be with us forever, because he’s our dog and we’re his family.
The way we heard the story, you moved out of state and didn’t want to take him with you. You left him at your grandparents. Maybe you thought a lively, handsome dog was just the thing for them, and under better circumstances it might have been. Maybe they have been cleaning up your messes for your entire life and an unwanted dog was just another mess to clean up.One day, we saw him on the shelter web site. We called and asked about him. The shelter workers were so happy to hear from us and were delighted to agree to bring him to a local pet store where they do adoptions. Do you want to know why they were so accommodating? He was scheduled to be killed that afternoon. He didn’t know that, but the shelter workers certainly did. It hurt them and he felt that, so he knew something was wrong. All of a sudden, though, the shelter workers were happy and excited and so was he. They bathed him and brushed his coat. We think they probably told him this was it - his big chance, or maybe he just knew it somehow. When we met him, we all fell in love.
He had to go to the vet to be neutered, of course, but then he came home. He has his very own 13 year-old boy. You know, it’s almost like watching one of those old Lassie movies, seeing how well they’ve bonded. He’s got good food and his own toys. He’s taken on walks three times a day, is regularly groomed and is taken to the vet for needed care. We’ll be with him always, even if we have to make that last, difficult decision, because, you see, he is our dog and we are his family.
He has a good heart you know, but then he is a dog, so that’s to be expected. He’s probably forgiven you and, with a dog’s grace, doesn’t even remember you dumped him. He’d probably even be willing to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge. But you know what? He’ll greet us and go with us at the Bridge, and then he’ll be with us forever, because he’s our dog and we’re his family.
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This is one of the last photos of Buster that I had. He was 11 years 6 days old when he passed away on May 30, 2003. He was the best friend I ever had. He helped me through a divorce and start a new marriage. Buster was always listened well and was a cuddler. He was just a well behaved dog from the beginning. He survived 4 years with a irregular heartbeat that was controlled with medication. On the day he passed over he had severe irregular heartbeats and could not move. He had been ready to move on but I was not ready. On that day he let me know that now was the time. I will always miss him. He has been the one closest to my heart and now he can romp and play with no pain. He will be waiting for my Toby when the time comes. I love you Buster.
A donation has been made in memory of Buster.
LSBR Archive - 2004
A boy and his dog
How do you tell a child that his buddy isn't coming home? How do you explain cancer to a 5 year old that just wants to play and look after his friend? Ironically, Buster looked after "Baby Jake" in Jake's first years, sleeping at the foot of his crib, inquisitive and patient as Jake grew and tugged at him. Buster remained faithful through the good times and bad, never a whiner... in fact, he "talked" when you hugged him. Buster was KING of the underbite! And while his breath was horrid, his kisses were welcome as they were blindly trusting. He did his best to maintain that wiggly happiness until the end when he was just so tired, the cancer eating away at his insides. I am convinced his jovial spirit hid the cancer in its early stages. Buster was just that kind of dog. Faithful and true. He loved his boy, Jake, and looked after his mom, Jaime. There will never be another "Bustah." Good boy, Buster, good boy. We will miss you, Buddy!
LSBR Archive - 2007
Sadly our buster passed away in July. We had him for five wonderful years. He provided our family with so much love it’s hard to believe that someone at some point didn’t want him. His favorite thing to do was lay around the house – usually wherever we were. He was an awesome dog and will be missed by us humans and our other rescue boxer, Bailey. Thank you LSBR for providing opportunities for second chances to these wonderfully deserving animals. Stewart, Terrie, Wade and Grant Duke
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