Where does life start; When does life end?
Perhaps, with a parent, spouse, or a friend.

Some will walk with feet; while others on all fours.
All will have a heart to support this loving cause.

Our dog, Buster, took us through the thick and thin:
Littleneck, Virginia, Michigan and back to NY, again.

He went on most vacations: Hatteras, Block Island, Saugatuck,
Lake Sunapee, Montauk, Niagara Falls.
He answered all my little prayers and every beck and call.

Long walks with his Grandpa or meatballs with my Mom;
A secret sausage from Frankie; A handshake for brother John.

I remember when he ran away; I chased with all I had.
I remember when I got him back and told him he was bad.

At home, he waits for Lisa; escorting to and from.
Greets us with a toy, each day, and takes us for a run.

One time his head got stuck under our dresser; He cried as puppies do.
He pooped in Lisa's Honda. It stunk the whole way through.

My mother cried when he escaped from Dad and kissed him when he came back.
He saved Frankie from a Pit-bull and thwarted his attack.

In New Hampshire, he got skunked, one day; We soaked him in some sauce.
It took weeks to rid the smell that stayed; Plants were wilting and rugs were tossed.

Now, in my mind, I see him run as he gallops like a pony.
I wonder if he's with Grandpa Sal, Papa V, and Uncle Tony.

Life's a cycle; This is true. I believe there is no end.


But,. Oh to have our Buster back, and kiss his nose, again...

Buster was put to sleep on Wednesday February 23, 2005. He had three masses on his stomach which the doctor's at MSU tried to remove. Turned out to be andenocarcinoma the worst type of cancer there is. When pancreatitus set in I had to make the tuffest decision of my life. Buster was 10 years old on 2/19/05, it was the best 10 years of my life.

What a beautiful poem. I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

If you've never read it, I highly recommend The Rainbow Bridge (http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm). One can also make a donation in a deceased pet's name which will go to a animal shelter to help pets in need.

The Power of a Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie-
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find - it's your own affair-
But... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone - wherever it goes - for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian Clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long-
So why in - Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling.

Thank you, for the beautiful poem, Labman. Just when I thought there were no more tears to cry, you touched my heart in the place it's been torn. As much as it hurts, we would do it over a thousand times, even for just one more kiss on his nose or wiggle of his tail, or a nibble on Doug's ear... We miss our pal, Buster more each day. He was the best friend we ever had.