I never had the opportunity to meet Buster. Being a person who enjoys the companionship of a dog, Buster was one of the reasons I decided to stop in and see what Booman Tribune was all about. His face truly reveals the patience and warmth that I just wish we all could show each day. Looking with love and anticipation of acceptance, Buster spoke to me in a way that no comment or dairy could never imagine. I figured that if Booman could love such a wonderful creature, maybe I should stop and spend some time listening to the words he has to say.
I am so glad that I decided to rest at the Pond for awhile. Stories of success and anger, desire and hope continue to spring up from the Pond day after day. It shows us all that sometimes, the greatest inspiration we may find in life is not limited to just the people and places we see. They can be found in the simple and loving eyes of a large and inviting creature whose only request is to be loved and treated with respect and kindness.
I can only imagine the sorrow that Booman and his family are feeling as they watches Buster take his last breaths in this life. As tears rolling down each face, they wonder why at this moment and time, is Buster leaving us all. My hope is that Booman, his family, and all of us remember the joy and warmth Buster has given us all in his only special way. Buster represents the qualities that we all search for each day. Live in this moment with all our being. Never reject the kindness of a stranger. Find the hidden bones of the past and bring them to light. Show patience even though we would rather race after every squirrel we see or chase the cat next door.
I lived in Gander Newfoundland for three years and I was able to experience first hand the loving and playful nature that Newfoundlanders are so known for. Their loyalty is unquestioned and their ability to warm your heart is just one lick away. Such gentle giants with a heart so big, you can not begin to describe it!
So, as we continue to fight for the rights of others, speak out against racism, war, hate crimes and other issues of the day, let us remember that we had the opportunity to spend time, even though it was via the Internet with a gentle loving giant who captured our hearts and brought a smile to our faces each and every time we saw his photos.
To Booman and your family,
I can only say that losing a member of the family is never an easy thing to deal with. Buster’s life was not lived in vain because he loved you all with all of his heart. Remember this prayer in the days and weeks to come:
Dear God,
This we know: every living thing is yours and returns to you. As we ponder this mystery we give you thanks for the life of Buster and we now commit him into your loving hands.
Gentle God: fragile is your world, delicate are your creatures, and costly is your love which bears and redeems us all.
Holy Creator, give us eyes to see and ears to hear how every living thing speaks to us of your love. Let us be awestruck at your creation and daily sing your praises.
Especially, create within us a spirit of gratitude for the life of this beloved pet who has lived among us and given us freely of his love. Even in our sorrow we have cause for joy for we know that all creatures who died on earth shall live again in your new creation.
Amen.
To Buster,
Thank you for being in our lives, even if it was just for a short time. Your face and eyes reflect the wonder and joy of life and know that we all learned something from you. As you prepare for your next journey, rest in the knowledge that we will miss you dearly and know that you will be able to enjoy the rest that you truly deserve. Goodbye to the friend I never had the opportunity to meet in person. May you rest in peace!
To the rest of us in the Pond,
May we continue to chase the squirrels and cats that we face each day knowing that we had the opportunity to see true love and loyalty in action. Keep digging up the bones of the past and defend those are in need and despair. That is what Buster would want us to do and this will be his legacy that we will be able to carry forward in the months and years to come.
Thank you for speaking for us all here. I agree with every word you have said. Thanks again and hugs….
Thanks! I decided to write this so Booman could read it to Buster. I believe that all of God creatures understand what we say, we just have to say it to them!
I so totally agree!
What a nice tribute, vieravisionary, thanks for sharing it with us. As a life-long pet owner I know exactly what you mean about the inspiration pets can give to those charged with caring for them. It teaches responsibility, compassion and love, which is something this world needs in abundance.
And pets just love you without motive. They are so accepting and blind to our flaws and failings.
This was sent to me many years ago by a dear friend after the loss of a beautiful spirit. It is a beautiful sentiment, and may help those who have lost, or are losing, a lifelong companion.
Peace
When my dear Coco passed back in 95, a friend sent that to me as well, and I was wishing last night that I could find it again to post. Bless you, friend, you had it there and have done my work for me. That poem helped me in many a dark hour at the time, and I hope it will help Booman as well.
Peace…
That’s a favorite of mine from when my Osha died…She was a once in a lifetime dog.
Thanks for posting that, dada.
that says that when a human dies, all the animals that he or she has ever known gather at the Rainbow Bridge…and it is their decision whether the human can cross or not…
Have read it before and after reading again, am getting teary-eyed!
I can just picture my golden retriever….
That is the first time I have ever read this and it is just breathtaking! Had to break out the tissues! I could see it as clearly in my mind and the joy . . . it can not be put into words.
Thanks dada . . . thanks!
Thank you, Vieravisionary, for putting into words many of the things I’ve been trying and wanting to say about this the last two days. I have little more meaningful to add than what you have already said.
This is the sort of situation that we can only truly know and experience with our hearts, thus mere words often fail us. So I will think with my heart, feel with my heart, and send as much love and positive energy as I can muster to Booman and Buster, as they pass through this difficult time.
Sorrow feels boundless right now, but I am certain it is no match whatsoever for the limitless joy I’m sure Buster brought so many people in his short life.
I played this one;
A wonderful song with such warm and touching lyrics! Thanks for sharing them with us all and reminding us that every creature brings value to our lives, whether we see it or not.
Dear Martin,
curly and I read the sad news late last night. You’ve had a tough year and now this. Our thoughts are with you.
And thank you to vv for the great tribute.
ask,
Thanks for the kind words. I felt it was something I needed to do. There is a saying that what does not destroy us, makes us stronger. I think we forget that the pain and sorrow that we endure opens our eyes to evaluate ourselves and remember what is truly important in our lives.
The love and support I see here at the Pond shows me we can make a difference in people’s lives. What I a read in the comments, thus far, prove we have the compassion and strength to overcome loss, pain and ignorance to create a better society and world.
Thanks again vv,
Those are true words, and in spite of the occasional controversy, this is a place with a lot of compassion and support.
What a beautiful tribute to Boo!
I found this story that really resonated with me after just putting down Norman two weeks ago.
Rites of Passage
Some of the most poignant moments I spend as a veterinarian are those spent with my clients assisting the transition of my animal patients from this world to the next. When living becomes a burden, whether from pain or loss of normal functions, I can help a family by ensuring that their beloved pet has an easy passing. Making this final decision is painful, and I have often felt powerless to comfort the grieving owners.
That was before I met Shane.
I had been called to examine a ten-year-old blue heeler named Belker who had developed a serious health problem. The dog’s owners – Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane – were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.
I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me – I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, “Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody and being nice, right?” The four-year-old continued, “Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
By Robin Downing, D.V.M. from Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Copyright 1998 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Marty Becker and Carol Kline. We thank Dr. Robin for permission to post the above.
Thank you for sharing that profound story. Out of the mouths of babes!
Alohaleezy,
Thanks for giving us these heart touching words! A simple and direct explanation that just touches the core of our being.
Thank you Major for coming and taking care of my daughter when she was a latch key kid for two hours on weekdays when I had to work. Thank you for teaching my husband who was attacked by a German Shepherd when he was six that not all German Shepherds are mean….in fact precious few are and seldom was it their idea. Thank you for loving Joshua so much and refusing to be able to listen to him cry and coming downstairs to insist that I come upstairs immediately every time he cried and I was folding laundry. I will never forget the look on your face when I was in labor with Josh and sitting on the couch “breathing” waiting for the rest of the family to get dressed at 4:00 am………..it was obvious then that Joshua was going to be your puppy and you were terrified about all of this breathing and contractions stuff. I wanted you to be able to hospice and leave this place at nature’s pace but was not able to do that with Joshua being barely three then and needing so much daily attention too. When I held you in my arms and I saw the light leave your eyes just like it did with my grandmothers and my grandfather when they hospiced I knew that there isn’t any difference in where we go……we all go to the same place……and I wept because you asked for so little and it was so obvious that you had only come to help me. I am forever made humble by you and will always miss you until I cross over too and I am with you again!
This diary is so sweet and kind and loving… like you, I guess. I’ve been so sad for BooMan and Buster after learning the bad news last night and you helped me release some tears this morning. Thanks.
sjct,
I try my best to express what is in my heart in a way that others can understand it without feeling they are being sold something. I love animals and eveyr pet is part of the family, from my point of view.
Thanks for the kind words!
Thank you V V for saying so well what I wished I could have.
Family Man,
When I read Booman’s comment earlier in the day on Thursday, I just sat back and thought about how I would feel and the words came to me. I decided to post a dairy entry since inspiration is rare for me in writing LOL!
I wanted to give Buster his roses while he was still alive so Booman could read all of these wonderful comments to Buster and be comforted during this time of waiting and sorrow.
Thanks for your kind words!
This is a wonderful tribute. Thank you.
boran2,
Thank you very much! I have read many of your dairies and learned a lot about the issues of the day. Your kind words are greatly appreciated.
Very touching, and it was the first I’d learned of Buster.