Saying goodbye

 It's never easy, saying goodbye for the last time. My little Buster came to me when I was at a low point in my life. I had just lost my favorite auntie. She was more like a sister and friend rolled into one. Buster seemed to come out if nowhere, appearing on my back porch. I remember the first night he was with us...it rained and thundered. He shivered in fear, so I laid next to him, rubbing his chest to calm him down. It still works today...I lay him across my thigh and caress his chest and neck to comfort him. He has been battling heart failure and it has recently become worse...swollen legs, paws and chest. Labored breathing. Wet cough. When he refused to eat his normal amount of food, I knew it was time. The brightness is gone from his eyes. He has a look of, "Please help me" on his face. We're lucky to see a few wiggles from his now quiet tail that once was so active and full of life. He no longer asks to be let outside. No longer interested in playing with his sister. She knows something is different. She approaches him cautiously and gently licks his face. As much as we would love to have more time, we know it's time to let him rest his body and free his soul. I told him it's okay to leave us...it's time to be free and to find Pappa Mark to play and be happy.