Buster Remembered

This is my good friend and next door neighbor, Tom Ptomey.

Near two years ago, Tom and his wife Marcela lost a family member, Buster. I knew Buster his entire life. He was the best dog anyone could possibly have. He would lie in my driveway and 'stand guard' over my fish smoker while I had a batch going. He always made sure the fish was smoked to perfection and was persistant that he was the judge of it's readiness. At the time of his passing, Vets have confirmed he was the largest and oldest Bulldog in Alaska, unconfirmed, possibly the country, or the world! Bulldogs just don't live that long. 8 years average. That is a testament to the care Tom and Mars bestowed upon him, diet, exercise, etc. Buster was the greatest!

The following is an unedited email Tom sent out shortly after Buster passed away. When I read it, I felt the sadness Tom was experiencing. I often thought when someone lost a pet, 'it's just a dog', well now I understand the hurt of loss and love people have for their animals.

Mon 2/19/07 2:01 PM

As you all known Buster had pneumonia day after X-MAS was in the hospital for two days , had 2ea IVS and oxygen plus amoxicillin and enrofloxacin . Fluid was in his lungs. We send blood samples down to Washington State Vet. Buster white cell was to high. To bring it down more amoxicillin and cephalexin was given and at the end of January it was working his white cell count was getting back on line . On the 2ng of February Buster was going down hill loosing weight and slowing down nothing was helping or getting back to him old self . Friday old Buster pass away he lived for 13 years and 4 months . Which is very long for a English Bull Dog. I was told in human years almost 72 years. His Dad lived 5 years and his mother lived for 8 years . I don't known about Buster two sister how long they live or still around. But as you can see he lived a very old age. But before he left he had his head on my knee then look at me grab my hand with his paw as to say something, then close his eyes . He was a good friend.

The dog is a saint. He is straightforward and honest by nature.
He knows by instinct when he is not wanted, lies quite still for hours when his master is hard at work. But when his master is sad and worried he creeps up and lays his head on his lap. Don't worry, Never mind, Let us go for a walk and forget all about it.

He is your friend, your partner your defender your dog.
You are his life his love his leader. He will be yours faithful and true to the last beat of his heart . You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

Cheers --------------- Tom and Mars

It's been almost two years since Buster passed. Tom and Mars contemplated for a year now on getting another Bulldog. Last night Tom introduced Chris and I to Zorro. He is a beaut! Champion bloodlines. Most likely a show dog. Chris immediatly fell in love with him and could'nt leave him alone! She went to Wal-Mart the next morning and came back with 2 toys for our grandkids and THREE for Zorro! (true story)

Zorro has a big pawprint to fill, and if he is half the dog Buster was, he's alright with me.

We'll see how well he guards the fish smoker.