Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Family Pet (05/15/08)
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TITLE: Buster | Previous Challenge Entry
By Betty Frazer
05/22/08 -
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I never wanted a dog. I never liked dogs and I was always afraid of them. Three years ago while watching TV I heard a reporter say that having a animal in the home preferably a dog will assist in lowering one’s blood pressure.
That day I told my shocked husband that I wanted a dog. In February 2005 I bought Buster home. He was generously given to me by a dear friend who sternly warned me. ‘You better take good care of this puppy. I know you do not like dogs so if you cannot handle him give him back to me” Her words pounded in my head for months to come as Buster gave me many sleepless nights with the constant whining and barking. I honestly think my blood pressure went up instead of down, but pride did not allow me to give him back to my friend.
Gradually Buster who is named after a character in a skit that I performed at a church function gradually settled in his new environment. The constant whining and barking was replaced by the chewing of furniture and newly bought shoes. Buster who is a mixed breed of chow and German shepherd took command of the house. He took my husband place in our bed and if put out he barked until allowed to get back in preferably to lie on a pillow and stare at me for hours. My husband said he could not understand the attachment he had for me.
I grew to love Buster and wondered why I waited until I was 45 to get a dog. He was my constant companion. I bragged about him to every one I met. Before I began my daily teaching sessions with my students in a nursing program they would all ask about Buster.
Tragedy struck after only having Buster for six months. My husband forgot to close the front door properly and Buster ran into the street only to be struck by a speeding car. I felt my whole world come crashing down when told that Buster had been hit. I ran screaming outside only to see my beloved dog lying on the drive way bleeding from several areas. He was barely alive. But he was able to drag himself from the street on to the drive way. My husband and niece put him into the car and took him to the animal hospital. I was too distraught to accompany them and waited anxiously for their call.
Buster remained in hospital for a few months. His right back leg was fractured in several areas and had to be repaired with plates and pins. His left eye was so badly damaged that it had to be removed. I became depressed after learning of his condition. I visited him once while in hospital but did not return for he was not the same. His temperament was different and he did not seem to recognize me. The doctor said to give him time that the trauma and pain of what he had gone through had affected him. I waited anxiously for Buster to be discharged and even adopted a Labrador whom I named Buddy so that Buster would not feel lonely when he came home. This proved not to be the best thing for instead of resting the two of them played for hours running and prancing all over the house. This took a toll on Buster as I observed that he stopped eating and would not allow any one to touch him. He was taken back to the hospital and we were informed that we either had to leave Buster there so he could rest and recuperated properly or bring Buddy in so Buster could rest at home. The decision was made to keep Buster in hospital.
He returned home a few weeks later almost back to his usual self, he was jumping all over me and licking my face and hands. I was so happy my Buster was back.
Buster is scarred, with only three sturdy legs and one good eye but I love him for he is now giving back what I gave him. When I am sad he becomes sad and would lie at my feet for hours. When I lose my appetite he loses his too. When I am happy he is happy too. I do not understand but he seems to sense my moods and adopts similar ones. Buster is my guardian angel.
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