It is with heavy hearts that we report of the passing on 11/12/2024 of our beloved Buster, a member of the Golden Septuplets litter born 6/21/2009. We wasted no time getting to his foster mom’s house ASAP, and she correctly predicted he’d be the first to go due to his calm demeanor and loving personality. He came with the name Buster and it fit with his “fuzzy face” (right from Fayette’s intake description!).
Buster was my very first dog, but my husband had owned many and confirmed that he was the most loving, gentle, and empathetic dog he’d ever known. My stepson correctly stated “Buster doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.” His only fault was that he licked…a lot…if you could call that a fault. He also didn’t love people grabbing for his curly head, but how could you blame them?!?
In 2017, we made the decision to move to Florida. A week before the move, my teenaged daughter unexpectedly decided to stay behind. I found myself alone in a new area when my husband deployed. To say Buster saved my life is an understatement. He could never stand to see me sad and would nose open my door to lick tears from my face. He was devoted to me and rescued ME. Buster was one of those rare dogs that allowed eye contact. We would “reverse spoon” and stare into each other’s eyes for minutes on end. It was my privilege to be in that position when he took his last breaths.
My husband asked me many times over the years, “Did you ever think you could love a dog this much?” The answer is a resounding “no,” and I can’t imagine I ever will again. He was that exceptional. Buster leaves behind his 12-year-old brother, Kermit, a fellow AFH adoptee and Fayette County WV rescue (maybe they really were brothers?!?). We will ensure Kermit’s remaining life is fulfilling and full of love.
Thank you, AFH, for all that you do to change the lives of your animals and the families who are lucky enough to love them forever.