The greatest dog who ever lived has left the building.
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We took our darling Buster Billy Grosser to the veterinary hospital at about 8pm on the last Friday of school term.
He was unwell and we were distressed.
All five of us stood close to hear that our pet of nine years was very sick.
Even though we all agreed to try oxygen and any medical intervention that might save him, we were nevertheless encouraged to say our final goodbyes.
We kissed and stroked the sweetest King Charles cavalier cross that had ever walked the planet and left the room, waiting back at home for news.
We kissed and stroked the sweetest King Charles cavalier cross that had ever walked the planet and left the room, waiting back at home for news.
By 9pm he had slipped away - unable to catch his breath.
We have all grieved in different ways.
One of us cried until her eyes were swollen, so sad for Buster's suffering and regretting the times she walked past him without playing.
One talked constantly of replacing him with another rescued dog as the pain of his physical absence was too much to bear.
One didn't speak of it at all, with her pillow the only witness to her tears of sorrow.
One of us understood how ill our puppy was, so had been watching and waiting, expecting the end of our dear pet's life to come soon.
One of us was shocked by how much it affected him; and saw little point in cooking the barbecue anymore, with no Buster to eat the "dropped" sausages.
We all felt surrounded by reminders of Buster, making it difficult to avoid the memories, just when they hurt the most.
Yasinta packed-up all Buster's belongings, Tiani filled his paw prints in the clay with resin to keep forever, while Katianna searched devices for photos and home movies of our faithful friend.
Daddy dug the grave, the girls decorated the cross and put flowers on top, while I said a prayer of thanks for the most patient and lovable animal companion a family could be blessed with.
Listening to my chatter, Buster accompanied me to collect the mail, drag out the bins, feed the chooks, weed the garden and cart wood for the fire.
He made the mess and I cleaned it up.
I loved him.
It was very calm during the storm last week without Buster to bark at the thunder.
His paw prints are all over our hearts and he will never be forgotten.
