It's been so long since Buster was alive it's hard to remember much about him. He died long before we had the kind of understanding about dogs that we have now. My wife and I were younger and had other things that we gave priority. Which now, looking back, seemed like a total waste of time. Things in the past can't be changed no matter how hard you try or how much wish you could go back and change them. You must learn from the mistakes you make and the things you do and try to make better choices in the future.
Buster was one of the three pups of Red's last litter that we kept. He was a black and tan boy that that looked a lot like a foxhound. He was a fine dog that liked to run through the pastures with his nose to the ground, trailing who knows what. I never saw him catch anything, but with the Pack all running, what ever they were after couldn't slow down much. If it did, it was all over.
Buster took missing one day, something they did from time to time. This was before we understood how much better it was for them to be neutered. This time he was gone a lot longer than ever before. Usually the three boys would leave together to go "girling", but Blackie and Buster would come back home the same day. Sparkey was the "Alpha Male", and his rank always sent the others home. This time Buster was gone too long. We wondered if something was wrong. Blackie came back, but no Buster. Then Sparkey came home a few days later, still no Buster.
I spotted him on the side of the road one day as I was headed home from work. He was dead. He had not been there that morning. His collar was missing, and the poor boy was in bad shape. He had been dead for some time. Aparently someone had him put up, and then dumped him where I was sure to find him.
I went back and picked him up, put him in the back of the truck, then Buster came home for the last time. I pulled the truck down near the back of the woodshead where I dug a place for him. I wrapped him in an old sheet and placed him in the grave and covered him. The rest of his family all gathered around to say their "Good-Bye's".
His place started the Family cemetery. He slept alone for a long time, behind that old shead, but its been torn down for years. He was then joined by his brother Sparkey, then Blackie, then his mother, Ol' Red. Now the only one of his Pack left alive is his sister Brandy.
We never could find out what happened to him or who did it to him. It is still a mystery to us, even untill today. If we had only known then...............
Buster we miss you.
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