Man's Best Friend

Here's to man's best friend. A faithful companion, adventuring through life's storms and sunny days hot on your heels.

Running wrecklessly through tiny spaces, smashing into walls and doors and little people and leaving chaos in your wake.

A tongue that is quick to lick grubby hands, skinned knees and a freshly powdered nose right before church. Thank you.

Toenails that seem to grow for miles, snagging favorite rugs and pillows and scratching bare feet and ankles alike.

A nose that remains perpetually moist. How does that happen? Bringing enjoyment to bare legs first thing after you slide out of bed and the back of your neck as you rummage under the couch for a lost sock or baby doll shoe.

Breath that could slay the whole neighborhood with one puff. Many minutes have been lost scrubbing at tongue and teeth with baking soda paste to try to rid us all of that awful smell..

Muddy paws all over floors and walkways and rugs.

Knawing teeth that never seem to be satisfied.

Fur whose volume knows no bounds. Twenty minutes to clear from my shirt and even more from the carpet and living spaces...

The joy of bathing a 50 pound wriggling, twisting mass of meat and fur and then unclogging the drain afterwards and then scrubbing down the tub for almost an hour after that. Not to mention attempting to wrestle his wet body to the ground before he flings wet fur all over the place..

Ok, so can you tell I'm at odds with our canine pal? Actually all things considered he is a great dog. Has a particular fondness for me and is quite obedient most of the time and very gentle with our kids.

I first wanted him as a companion for me once Tim is deployed. Now it appears it is not the right time in our life for a dog, no matter how great. We will definitely be getting a bassett hound again, but probably not for another 10 years or so..

So farewell Buster old fellow. We have made numerous memories good and bad with you and we will definitely miss some things about you.

P.S. For all you fellow canine lovers out there we have found him an amazing home replete with another dog, two cats and an older couple who enjoy snuggles and long walks so I believe Buster will be quite glad we made this switch...