Can't believe it's been almost 2 years since we had our- Buster buddy with us!

Every time July rolls around we think of all the camping trips dad and Buster went on together when the rest of us couldn't make it. Buster is always missed but it is even harder when we think about the special "Jeep" trips he got to take as Dad's co-pilot. Buster definitely had double to triple the mileage on him then the rest of us as he loved the wide open wilderness where he could climb to the highest peak, go down, go around, go over, and come back and wait for the rest of us slow pokes to catch up! We love you Buster and we were ever so lucky to have you in our lives!

Buster and his last "hurrah"

Buster ran to his hearts content, slept on the air mattress, road on the quad, and got special treatment from all the dog lover's during his camping trip. He got some special time with special people and even got some left over steak scraps. When he got back home he was pooped and a bit soar from all his activity. What he didn't want us to know is that his cancer had spread to his legs and was hurting. He was just tough as nails and always pleasant although he'd lost his spark and joy of life since coming back from vacation. His family is very happy to know they were able to provide him with one more camping trip and he seemed to use all his energy to enjoy that last week. His family was with him, at home, the day he went to sleep forever and know it was the best thing for him, even if it was hard for the rest of us. He touched so many lives, helped children over their fears of dogs, made people fall madly in love with him, and brought tons of joy to all the people and animals that met him. We will miss him but feel his life was lived to it's fullest! As his grandma said, "I wanna be one of your dogs in my next life." Although it still breaks our hearts not having him around to cuddle and play with we know we will always rescue dogs - no matter how hard it is to go through their deaths - to honor them we will continue to rescue others.

OH boy OH boy!!!!

I've heard mom and dad talking...we are going camping at the end of the week! We get to go to pretty Wyoming and see grandma on her pretty property. I know she will spoil me rotten since I only have 3 legs. She will think how awful - I sure won't tell her it's no big deal and that I am still the same dog cuz then I might not get as many belly rubs...yup, I'm gonna play this one up for as much loving as I can get! Can't wait to go running through the trees and sniffing all the animals! Woof!

DoohDah!

Everything is going good - I'm still snarfing up my home cooked meal once a day and now mom and dad have been taking us 3 woofers out to play in open fields so I can run as much as I want and sniff as many plants and trees as I want and mark my territory on whatever I want - although I have to remember to balance just right now that I only have 3 legs!

Final chemo and still going strong...

I only got a little bit sick after the last chemo - had an accident on the floor. I have gained weight and everyone at both my doctor's offices say how strong and healthy I am. It is hard to believe that I ever had 4 legs - I even surprised mom by jumping in the back of the truck without a boost. She was so surprised that she asked dad if he helped me - NOPE! I did it on my own! It is starting to be nice weather here and so mom and dad open up the garage and I go running out to the front lawn to soak up the rays - I think I was a cat in another life...WOOF!

Good news and bad...

We moved into a new house which means I don't have to go up and down the stairs like in the old house which is good. My front left leg started to hurt in October and I ended up having a tumor - docs told mom it was bone cancer and she was very upset. I was walking on three legs cuz it hurt but I am tough and didn't whine at all! Mom and dad had to make the hardest decision ever - we went to the doctors and they took my spare leg - Dr. John said all dogs are born with 3 legs and a spare...Mom buys me all natural turkey meat, chicken, cottage cheese, veggies, you name it - I eat it. I've gone through 3 bouts of chemo with no side effects. Mom took me to a new doctor that gives me accupuncture and chiro adjustments which makes me feel REALLY good! I am happy and healthy as I can be - I knew mom and dad loved me but now when I try to climb into bed with them they just let me - before they would fluff my dog bed and tell me to get off their bed...Yes, I am truly spoiled and my sister's are just a little jealous!

I had a jeep trip!

Since mom couldn't make the trip with dad on the Rubicon the weekend of July 22nd I got to be co-pilot! Dad loves to have one and I aim to please. All the friends we made like that I am good on the trail and just laid back. I am happy in or out of the jeep - I can run around the great outdoors or rest in the front seat of the jeep, taking a snooze when the trail is smooth. Dad seat belts me in when we go down steep hills so I don't fall off the seat! He loves me!

Lazy summer days...

When it's this hot (100 degrees) I love to lay on my beds and snooze away. Since I am getting up there in age I am perfectly happy to nap the day away. I do get excited when mom rolls me on my back and starts to tickle me - I start to wiggle and act like I'm going to bite her arm even though I never do - I'm a bird dog by nature and have a very soft mouth. If it ever cools off I know my parents will take me for a ride or let me go running! Boy are they lucky I'm so easy going - unlike my sister Blue - she gets too hyper!

Car rides are my love.

Buster loves to ride in cars and his favorite is my husbands jeep, with the top off, wind wipping his ears around and his jowls flapping.

With Buster it is either 100 m.p.h. or dead to the world and snoring!

Buster is easy going and runs to all the humans at the dog park to see how many will pet him before he even thinks of playing with other dogs.