This is Buster Roffe. He belonged to my brother Kenny and my sister-in-law Mary Lu.
Or rather I should say, they belonged to him.
They were his love slaves, body and soul.
And he deserved it.
Buster passed away on September 6 at the ripe old age of thirteen. (That’s good innings for an Old English Sheepdog. They usually don’t make it that long.)
And his passing left a hole in their hearts- and the hearts of everyone who ever had the privilege of patting him.
You might think I’m exaggerating but Buster was a gent.
A real dog-about-town and a loving soul.
I know whereof I speak. I dog-sat him on many occasions and he didn’t have a mean bone in his furry Panda body.
As I would walk him around the neighborhood, I could see how he was a shining example of canine good will. Whiny little kids, surly doormen, camera-wielding foreign tourists all would melt and ooh and aah at the sight of him.
He accepted their adulation- and dog cookies- with good humor and grace. He was steadfastly kind and patient with his flock of admirers.
And he had tons of them.
There was something about his handsome head, roly poly gait and beautiful gray and white coat that made him seem like a big stuffed toy.
In all the years I knew him, I never saw him be anything less than an ambassador for his breed.
This may seem sentimental or silly to those of you non-dog lovers who don’t get what all the fuss is about when a pet passes away.
But trust me. I’ve had had good dogs and bad dogs and smart dogs and dumb dogs. And once or twice, exceptional dogs who made the world a kinder, more loving place to be in.
Buster was one of the greats. And I know Mary Lu and Kenny will always feel his loss.
My heart goes out to them- and to all of you who have ever been owned by a pet who has loved us and left us.
RIP, Mister Buster. May you eternally play your “Running away from the leash and drinking up all your water” game in Dog Heaven.
And say hello to Andy when you see him.
Thanks! He was a terrific dog and family member.
You’re welcome. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Very sweet. We miss him but you captured him perfectly. Thanks Aunt Ellen. ❤️🐶😥
Glad you approved. He was a real doll.
My heart goes out to you and Kenny and Mary Lu. As you know, we lost Daphne last January and understand what you are feeling. There is nothing like a great old dog.
Yes, Daphne was also one of the greats. When they go, they take a big piece of our hearts with them. Thanks, Vivian.
Woof, woof, woof.
Arf back at ya!
I heard someone say recently that the only mistake that God made with dogs is that their life span is too short. Amen to that. My sympathies go out to Kenny and Mary Lu.
You’ve nailed it, Steve. Thanks for the perfect quote- and hope your furry friend is A-ok. 🐶
My daughter’s two dogs passed recently and they weren’t even mine, but I really miss them as do her kids. Watching our cat deteriorate and having him put to sleep still haunts me and I didn’t even like him that much.
So I feel their pain.
Thanks, X-1. My condolences to your daughter and family. And sorry about the cat, too. 🐶🐱
No matter what you do; how hard you try – it’s impossible to say ‘goodbye’ to a dog. Never been sure whether it’s because they need us so much or the fact that we need them to need us? But it’s amazing how an animal with all the intelligence of your basic one-and-a-half-year-old could have such a total lock on our humanity.
You’re so right, David. They ask so little of us and give us their all. Thanks and glad your handsome Collie is de-skunked and back to his old handsome self.